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Houghton County tables legal engagement while Tri County Public Defenders offer invoice access
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Summary
The board tabled a proposed Varnum engagement and separate discussions about a $103,717.79 payment to the Tri County Public Defenders until a special meeting after the defenders agreed to provide invoices from 2018 to present; vote to table the engagement was 4–1, with Commissioner Joel Keranen opposed.
The Houghton County Board of Commissioners on May 13 voted to table consideration of an engagement letter with the law firm Varnum pending the Tri County Public Defender’s provision of invoices dating from 2018 through the present. Commissioner Glenn Anderson moved to table the engagement; the motion carried 4–1 with Commissioner Joel Keranen the sole dissenting vote.
Tri County Public Defender staff told the board they are willing to allow review of financial records. Ann Harris, administrator with the Tri County Public Defender’s Office, told the board that "anyone is welcome to look at their books/records at the Tri County Public Defender’s Office." Attorney David Gemignani said his office has attempted to resolve the matter since December 2024 and suggested an accounting error may explain discrepancies: "In 2018, the County paid about 20%, now the County pays 10%." Gemignani also apologized for prior comments made on Microsoft Teams.
Commissioners also moved to table a separate discussion about the status of a County check in the amount of $103,717.79 until the special meeting. Board motions set a deadline for Tri County Public Defenders to provide invoices by close of business May 16 so the board could review them at the end-of-May special meeting.
Several representatives of the judicial system urged resolution. Nikki Jollimore, District Court administrator and magistrate, read a letter from Judge Nicholas Daavettila endorsing the public defenders; Circuit Judge Brittany Bulleit said she shared Judge Daavettila’s concerns and warned of impacts to the Circuit Court if public defenders are not available.
No legal engagement with Varnum was approved at the meeting; the tabling motion leaves the matter pending until the special meeting where the board expects to review the invoices and decide whether to retain outside counsel.