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Gogebic County board asks District 3 commissioner to resign, approves apportionment and several motions
Summary
At its Nov. 19 meeting, the Gogebic County Board of Commissioners voted to ask District 3 Commissioner Wood to resign amid a misconduct update, certified the 2025 apportionment, voted to award a $27,715 garage-door contract and approved several budget transfers and personnel notices.
Dan Siirila, chairman of the Gogebic County Board of Commissioners, asked the board at its Nov. 19 meeting to entertain a motion asking Commissioner Wood to resign from his role as District 3 commissioner; the board approved the request by voice vote, with Commissioner Wood voting no. Siirila also asked Commissioner Wood to disclose his current residency to him by Monday, Nov. 24, 2025.
The board unanimously certified the county's 2025 apportionment after Equalization Director Kathy Jo Koval presented the apportionment report and asked the board to adopt the resolution authorizing the certified rates and signatures. Commissioner Lorenson moved the certification; Commissioner Peterson supported the motion and the roll call was 7 0yes, 0 no.
On procurement, the board voted to award the contract to remove and replace garage doors at the Gogebic County Natural Resource Center's Search and Rescue garage to Atlantic Overhead Door for $27,715.00. The award was moved by Commissioner Lorenson, supported by Commissioner Cayer, and approved on a 7 0vote roll call.
Financial actions included a motion by Commissioner Peterson, supported by Commissioner Lorenson, to transfer $17,000 to the Friend of the Court to correct a negative fund balance for fiscal year 2025 and to pay PA 2 funds to NorthCare Network totaling $12,709.24; the motion passed on a 7 0roll-call vote. The board also received and placed on file the trial balance/cash and investment balance and the general fund revenue and expenditure control reports, and authorized payment of claims, pre-paids and credit cards as presented.
In communications, Clerk/Register Erin Bunt notified the board of a vacancy in the office of Drain Commissioner; the board voted unanimously to place an ad in The Globe soliciting letters of interest from Gogebic County residents to fill the vacancy.
The board discussed a letter received from Dave Caroffino of the Michigan Department of Natural Resources confirming plans to physically remove Black River Dam in 2026. Commissioners discussed sending a follow-up letter expressing disappointment; Commissioner Matonich moved and Commissioner Peterson supported a motion authorizing Commissioner Lorenson to draft the board's letter to the MDNR on behalf of the board, and the motion passed by unanimous voice vote.
The board also approved a holiday allowance motion authorizing a $50 gift card to Z's Market for every county employee and for volunteers affiliated with Search and Rescue and victim services. The motion was moved by Commissioner Yon, supported by Commissioner Wood, and approved on a 7 0roll-call vote.
The meeting adjourned at 5:12 p.m. on a motion by Commissioner Wood supported by Commissioner Lorenson. The minutes were signed by Chairman Dan Siirila and Clerk Erin Bunt.
