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Gogebic County board approves sheriff vehicle budget amendment, $5,000 credit card for jail cook and starts process to remove county seats from Section 32
Summary
At the Oct. 22 meeting the Gogebic County Board of Commissioners approved a $28,500 budget amendment for a sheriff vehicle, authorized a $5,000 credit card for the jail cook, approved a mutual-aid agreement with Wakefield and directed the administrator to consult counsel about removing county seats from the Section 32 Authority.
The Gogebic County Board of Commissioners approved a $28,500 budget amendment to purchase a sheriff department vehicle and took several routine administrative actions at its Oct. 22, 2025, meeting in Bessemer.
The board voted unanimously to increase Fund Balance Forward revenue by $28,500 and to add $28,500 to the Sheriff Department — Vehicle expenditure line (amended totals: revenue $122,526; vehicle appropriation $118,500). Commissioner Lorenson moved the amendment; Commissioner Wood seconded, and the motion carried by unanimous voice vote.
The board also authorized a credit card for Trina Hakamaa, the jail cook, with a $5,000 credit limit. Commissioner Yon moved the authorization and Commissioner Lorenson seconded; the motion passed by unanimous voice vote.
Commissioners approved a Mutual Aid Agreement with the City of Wakefield to provide electrical services at the Gogebic County Fairgrounds. Commissioner Yon moved the agreement and Commissioner Wood seconded; the board authorized the appropriate signatures by unanimous voice vote.
On Section 32, Commissioner Matonich provided a brief history of the Section 32 Authority and said the county has held two seats since the Authority’s formation. Matonich and other members of Section 32 indicated they do not see a reason for continued county representation. The board voted unanimously to authorize the county administrator to consult legal counsel and begin the process of removing the county seats; the motion was made by Commissioner Matonich and seconded by Commissioner Lorenson.
Financial and administrative housekeeping items were also addressed. The board placed committee reports and financial statements (trial balance, cash and investment balance, and general fund revenue and expenditure control) on file after motions by Commissioner Lorenson, seconded by Commissioner Cayer. The board approved payment of claims and pre-paid bills on a roll-call vote: Yon, Peterson, Cayer, Wood, Lorenson, Matonich and Siirila voted YES; none voted NO.
Responding to a communication from Clerk/Register Erin Bunt, the board voted to hold only one regular meeting in November and December to allow claims and payroll to process without holiday delays; the dates set were Nov. 19 and Dec. 17. Chairman Dan Siirila adjourned the meeting at 5:09 p.m.
The actions taken were procedural and administrative; no new ordinance, budget adoption, or program creation was approved beyond the vehicle appropriation and the procedural authorization to pursue removal of county seats on the Section 32 Authority.
