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Houghton County approves wage study, accepts FY24 audit and signs off on multiple appropriations
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Summary
At its July 8 meeting the Houghton County Board of Commissioners approved a $38,000 wage-study contract, accepted a clean FY24 audit, and approved purchases and appropriations — including 911 equipment and a dive-team purchase — while approving a package of motions listed below.
The Houghton County Board of Commissioners on July 8 approved a $38,000 contract with Gallagher to conduct a county wage study, accepted the FY24 audit with a clean opinion, and signed off on a series of appropriations and purchases ranging from 911 equipment to a dive-team reimbursement purchase.
Ken Talsma of Anderson, Tackman & Company PLC handed out the Basic Financial Statement and told commissioners the county received a "clean opinion and clean Federal grants," noting a 7% increase in property taxes for 2023–24 and that the pension is approximately 59% funded, just shy of the 60% state threshold. "For expenditures, he said the budget should be changed before any money is spent," Talsma said. The board voted unanimously to accept the audit.
Airport Manager Dennis Hext told the board passenger bookings are up "8-9%," a third flight has started and KRC has done an expansion; he also said the airport has an upcoming meeting with the FAA. The board approved an Airport Water System Ordinance that had previously been cleared by the Airport Committee.
Other actions approved included payments and appropriations: payment of bills totaling $983,953.16; $67,934.65 to Tri-County Public Defenders; continuation of the Michigan Townships Association associate county membership for $505; and appropriations of $7,435.50 to the Western Upper Peninsula Planning & Development Region and $68,960.00 to the Western Upper Peninsula Health Department for July–September.
Public-safety items approved included purchases recommended by the Houghton County 911 Advisory Board totaling $63,730.55 and a Sheriff’s Office dive-team equipment purchase of $20,425 to be reimbursed by a grant. The board also approved a fee-schedule increase proposed by the Copper Country Humane Society and authorized up to $20,000 in county support tied to that contract.
Votes at a glance (motion outcomes): - Approve minutes (June 26): carried, Ayes 5–0. - Approve agenda with addition: carried, Ayes 5–0. - Approve bills, $983,953.16: carried, Ayes 5–0. - Gallagher wage-study contract, $38,000: carried, Ayes 5–0. - Accept FY24 audit report: carried, Ayes 5–0. - Copper Country Humane Society fee increase (limit $20,000): carried, Ayes 5–0. - Airport Water System Ordinance: carried, Ayes 5–0. - WUPHD FY26 appropriation: carried, voice vote Ayes 5–0. - Pay TCPD $67,934.65: carried, Ayes 5–0. - Continue MTA membership, $505: carried, voice vote Ayes 5–0. - 911 Advisory Board purchases, $63,730.55: carried, Ayes 5–0. - Sheriff dive-team purchase, $20,425 (grant reimbursed): carried, Ayes 5–0. - Judge travel reimbursement, $1,668.48: carried, voice vote Ayes 5–0. - Appropriations batch (Planning & Development Region $7,435.50; WUPHD $68,960.00): carried, voice vote Ayes 5–0. - Adjourn: carried, voice vote Ayes 5–0.
Why this matters: the audit acceptance and wage-study contract set the county’s near-term financial review and personnel analysis; the approved public-safety purchases and appropriations fund immediate equipment and public-health operations. Several items approved are grant-reimbursable or subject to future reporting.
What’s next: the wage study is expected to begin soon with an estimated 6–8 week timeline; Mike Bach of Copper Country Mental Health Services said he will submit a proposed resolution for consideration at the board’s next monthly meeting.