Houghton County adopts labor contract, shifts HR and accounts payable to administration and approves multiple spending items

HOUGHTON, Mich. — The Houghton County Board of Commissioners on March 11 adopted a collective bargaining agreement, reorganized human resources and accounts payable functions under the county administration, and approved a series of spending and personnel actions.

The board voted to adopt Resolution #25-03, ratifying a tentative agreement with the Houghton County Airport Employees Chapter of Local #226 (AFSCME) that covers Jan. 1, 2025, through Dec. 31, 2027. The motion passed on a roll call vote with four commissioners voting yes; Commissioner Gretchen Janssen participated by Microsoft Teams and did not record a vote.

The board also approved Resolution #25-04, transferring HR and accounts payable responsibilities from the Clerk’s Office to the Administration Office effective immediately. The resolution directs that the County Administrator or a designee oversee those duties and that access rights and system permissions be reassigned. County Clerk Jennifer Kelly registered opposition to the measure during the roll call vote; the motion carried 4–0 with Janssen not voting.

Commissioners unanimously agreed to post a Finance Manager position following a Personnel Committee recommendation and authorized issuance of an RFP for a countywide wage and classification study, estimated at $50,000 to be funded with ARPA dollars pending completion of the review. The board approved using $70,000 in ARPA funds as the local match to accept a low bid from Wuebben Construction for a marina project, awarding the contract at $265,896.23.

Other approved actions included setting Mine Inspector pay at $150 per inspection without insurance opt-outs or benefits; appointing Jan Strieter Jr. to the Houghton County Planning Commission for a three-year term; approving a Sebright Products invoice for $62,132.41; and allocating a $10,000 earmark to the Houghton County Fair Board for building improvements (approved 3–1). Travel and conference attendance requests for county staff and officials were authorized, and routine appropriations (UPACC dues and a monthly CCCMH payment) were approved.

Board Chair Tom Tikkanen and other commissioners framed the decisions as part of routine county operations and preparations for upcoming priorities, including a planned visit from jail consultants on April 15. The meeting minutes record that Tikkanen urged public attendance for the special session with the consultants.

Votes at a glance • Resolution #25-03 (collective bargaining agreement): adopted; vote yes 4, no 0 (Janssen did not vote). • Resolution #25-04 (transfer HR & accounts payable): adopted; vote yes 4, no 0 (Clerk Kelly opposed on the record; Janssen did not vote). • Post Finance Manager position: approved; vote yes 4, no 0 (Janssen did not vote). • Accept Wuebben Construction low bid for marina ($265,896.23) and use $70,000 ARPA match: approved; vote yes 4, no 0. • Wage study RFP (estimated $50,000, ARPA funds): approved; vote yes 4, no 0. • Mine Inspector compensation ($150 per inspection): approved; vote yes 4, no 0. • Planning Commission appointment (Jan Strieter Jr., 3-year term): approved by voice vote. • Fair Board earmarked funds ($10,000): approved; vote yes 3, no 1 (Keranen voted no). • Sebright Products / Materials Management invoice ($62,132.41): approved; vote yes 4, no 0.

What’s next The board scheduled a special meeting on April 15 to meet with jail consultants. The board tabled non-routine ballot-initiative items (see separate coverage of the Elder Nutrition millage request) and will consider those at its April meeting.

Reporting note: Quotes and attributions in this story are taken from the board’s March 11 meeting minutes and the session’s recorded motions and roll-call votes. The clerk’s official certification appears in the minutes on file with the County Clerk’s office.