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Houghton County adopts deficit-elimination plans, approves transfer station fee increases
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Summary
The Houghton County Board of Commissioners unanimously adopted six deficit-elimination resolutions June 26, 2025, approved a 15% service-fee increase for the Solid Waste Transfer Station effective Aug. 1, 2025, and set additional 7.5% annual increases starting Oct. 1, 2026; the board also approved a DTRF loan resolution and TCPD payments for Feb.–Apr. 2025.
The Houghton County Board of Commissioners on June 26 unanimously adopted a series of deficit-elimination plans for multiple county funds and approved a schedule of fee increases for the Solid Waste Transfer Station.
The action came at a special meeting called by Chairman Tom Tikkanen and carried on voice and roll votes with all five commissioners present: Tikkanen, Joel Keranen (District 2), Glenn Anderson (District 3), Gretchen Janssen (District 4) and Roy Britz (District 5).
Commissioners approved Resolution #25-13 (PFC fund), Resolution #25-14 (Region 8), Resolution #25-15 (Solid Waste Transfer Station), Resolution #25-16 (Twin Lakes), Resolution #25-17 (Jail Commissary) and Resolution #25-18 (Law Library). All six resolutions passed by unanimous recorded vote (5–0). The transcript does not specify the dollar amounts or individual deficit totals associated with these resolutions.
The board modified the Solid Waste Transfer Station resolution to increase service fees 15% effective Aug. 1, 2025, then approved a separate motion to apply further 7.5% increases effective Oct. 1 in each of 2026, 2027, 2028 and 2029. Commissioner Glenn Anderson moved the resolution adopting the Transfer Station plan and the fee change; Commissioner Gretchen Janssen seconded. The motions carried 5–0.
In other business the board adopted Resolution #25-12, authorizing a DTRF loan to TCP. The transcript records the motion (moved by Commissioner Anderson, seconded by Commissioner Janssen) and unanimous approval but does not state loan amount or terms.
The board also approved payment to Tri County Public Defenders for previously invoiced monthly payments: $45,968.30 for February 2025, $86,767.82 for March 2025 and $69,755.21 for April 2025. Commissioner Anderson moved, Janssen seconded, and the vote was 5–0.
During the public-comment period, David Gemignani said MDIC had told him it would "make the County whole" and asked when the county would receive a reimbursement check. Administrator Rheault replied that the check would be ready Friday morning.
Chairman Tikkanen closed the meeting by announcing the next work session, scheduled for July 1, which will include discussion of the wage study, the jail and TCPD. The meeting adjourned at 11:37 a.m.
The transcript does not include individual deficit totals, detailed loan terms for the DTRF loan to TCP, or the specific fee schedule amounts per service line at the Transfer Station; those items were not specified in the record and are noted as such.