Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the County Administration topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Houghton County commissioners elect Tom Tikkanen chair, approve $1.58 million in bills and multiple appointments
Summary
At its Jan. 14 organizational meeting the Houghton County Board of Commissioners elected Tom Tikkanen chair and Roy Britz vice chair, approved $1,584,804.17 in bills and several appropriations and appointments, and authorized bids for a generator and a $7,872 compactor control‑room project.
The Houghton County Board of Commissioners met Jan. 14 in Houghton and elected Tom Tikkanen chair and Roy Britz vice chair, approved payment of $1,584,804.17 in submitted bills and took a series of routine administrative and budget actions.
The meeting was called to order by County Clerk Jennifer Kelly at 4:00 p.m. and Tikkanen won the two‑year chairmanship after a nomination from Commissioner Glenn Anderson and a second from Commissioner Gretchen Janssen; the nomination carried by voice vote with all five commissioners voting in favor. Anderson nominated Britz for vice chair; Janssen seconded the nomination and it likewise passed unanimously.
In other business the board approved paying submitted bills totaling $1,584,804.17 (roll call vote recorded as Janssen, Britz, Tikkanen, Keranen and Anderson voting yes). The board also approved four appropriations: a $500 annual membership for UPEDA; a monthly appropriation listed as "CCMHS" for $13,707.91; Comprehensive Risk Services for $86,486.00; and Western UP Health Department for $68,960.00. All appropriations passed on unanimous votes.
The board adopted the county Rules of Order and approved a Materials Management aging‑accounts policy that imposes a 2.5% late fee for balances past due within 30 days and allows suspension of services for accounts 45 days past due. Administrator Rheault explained the policy and commissioners voted to adopt it.
On capital and facilities items, the board authorized UPEA to put a proposed generator project for the server room out for bid after Building Department Manager Todd LaRoux and IT Manager Bernard Kluskens said drawings would be ready by the end of January. The board also approved a $7,872 proposal from Wuebben Construction for a compactor control room. Both motions carried unanimously.
Administrator Rheault summarized appointments in the prosecutor’s office made by the prosecutor: Hillary Baker was named chief assistant prosecutor; Rebecca Wakeham was named office manager and child‑support specialist; Jennifer Kivela was appointed victim advocate; and Angela Miles was named legal assistant. An authorized assistant prosecuting attorney position remains vacant.
Clerk Kelly said she will implement a free online search for vital records. Sheriff Saaranen noted an upcoming jail committee meeting Jan. 16 at 9 a.m. for members only and that the budget includes funding for two recruits to attend the police academy. Commissioner Britz reported the Houghton County Road Commission recorded 27 inches of November snowfall and is awaiting approximately $3.23 million from the state.
The board appointed Commissioner Britz to the Copper Country Mental Health Board and appointed Commissioners Keranen, Anderson and Britz to the Health Department Board. During public comment Rich Rosaway, representing Jack Bergmans’ office, said he would look into a VA issue related to the Omega House.
The meeting adjourned at 4:50 p.m.
The actions above were routine organizational and administrative items; no ordinances or binding policy changes beyond the approved policy and appropriations were adopted.
