Gogebic County receives 2025–26 911 budget, authorizes equipment agreement update with American Tower

The Gogebic County Board of Commissioners on Sept. 10 received the countys 2025–26 911 budget and unanimously approved a First Amendment to an equipment placement agreement that reflects a change in ownership of a communications asset.

Heidi Derosso, the countys Emergency Management/911 Coordinator, presented the proposed 2025/2026 fiscal-year 911 budget and asked the board to receive it and place it on file. Commissioner Lorenson moved to receive the budget, Commissioner Cayer supported the motion, and the board voted unanimously to place the document on file.

Derosso also described a First Amendment to an Equipment Placement Agreement tied to a 2007 U.S. Rural Development grant that allowed a weather transmitter to be sited on land in Marenisco. She told the board the original agreement was with Alltel Communications but the asset now rests with American Tower Corporation; the board authorized the chairmans signature on the amendment by a unanimous voice vote after a motion from Commissioner Matonich and support from Commissioner Yon.

Why it matters: the 911 budget funds emergency dispatch and maintenance of critical communications infrastructure serving Gogebic County residents, and the equipment agreement preserves the countys contractual relationship for a weather transmitter used in local emergency operations.

Next steps: the county will file the 2025/2026 911 budget and execute the First Amendment to the equipment placement agreement with the chairmans signature. No further details about budget amounts or specific equipment costs were provided at the meeting.