Ontonagon County commissioners approve airport grant, hire maintenance worker and commit $10,000 to hazard‑mitigation planning

The Ontonagon County Board of Commissioners on Feb. 18 voted to authorize several operational and financial moves intended to support county infrastructure and emergency services.

At a regular meeting in the county circuit courtroom, Commissioner John Cane moved and Commissioner Store supported approval of the agenda, which the board adopted on a 5–0 roll-call vote. Carl Nykanen, the board chair, presided.

The board authorized the county Airport Manager to sign a $170,000 grant to purchase a track loader with mulcher for airport operations. The motion, offered by Commissioner Nousiainen and supported by Commissioner Bourdeau, was recorded as approved by the board.

The board also formally hired David Aho as the airport maintenance person after a motion by Commissioner Bourdeau, supported by Commissioner Cane; the hire was carried 5–0.

Commissioners approved a letter of intent to collaborate with neighboring counties on a hazard‑mitigation planning grant and committed a $10,000 local match to that planning effort. The motion was made by Bourdeau, supported by Cane, and carried unanimously.

On public‑safety funding, the board voted 5–0 (motion by Nousiainen, support by Store) to keep the current 911 surcharge rate in place for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2025. The transcript lists the rate as “.51 cents” in meeting materials; the motion records the adopted rate as 0.51 for the 7/1/2025–6/30/2026 period.

The board authorized the Transit director to sign a contract providing $166,699 in federal funds for the county’s public transit program; that motion passed 5–0. Commissioners also approved the FY 2025 Indigent Defense Coordinator agreement and appointed Katie Carlson‑Lynch to the CCMH board for a term ending March 31, 2028.

On routine fiscal items, the board approved payment of bills and payroll as presented. The Feb. payment batch totaled $219,519.82, prepaid items totaled $145,542.02 and payroll for specified periods totaled $188,190.75, all recorded in the meeting materials and approved by motion.

During public comment, resident Marlene Broemer recognized Al Warren, who recently died, and Norman Pestka requested a letter of support from the county to Ontonagon Township for a proposed 24/7 emergency‑room and assisted‑living facility. Jodi Oullette identified herself as a representative from Congressman Jack Bergman’s office and introduced herself to the board.

Chair Nykanen used his authority to appoint Commissioner Store to the Land Bank Authority during the meeting’s other‑business segment. The board adjourned to the call of the chair at 4:27 p.m.

Votes at a glance - Approve agenda: motion by Commissioner John Cane; second Store; outcome 5–0. - Authorize Airport Manager to sign $170,000 grant (track loader with mulcher): motion by Commissioner Nousiainen; second Bourdeau; outcome approved. - Hire David Aho as airport maintenance: motion by Bourdeau; second Cane; outcome 5–0. - Approve hazard‑mitigation letter of intent and commit $10,000 match: motion by Bourdeau; second Cane; outcome 5–0. - Maintain 911 surcharge rate for 7/1/2025–6/30/2026 (recorded as 0.51): motion by Nousiainen; second Store; outcome 5–0. - Authorize Transit director to sign $166,699 federal contract: motion by Cane; second Bourdeau; outcome 5–0. - Appoint Katie Carlson‑Lynch to CCMH board: motion by Bourdeau; second Store; outcome 5–0. - Approve FY 2025 Indigent Defense Coordinator agreement: motion by Cane; second Store; outcome 5–0. - Approve payment of bills and payroll as presented (totals above): motion by Cane; second Bourdeau; outcome approved.

Next steps and context: Several of the items approved — notably the hazard‑mitigation planning match and the transit and airport grants — involve outside funding and intergovernmental coordination and will require follow‑up by county staff to finalize contracts and grant applications or equipment procurement.