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Commissioner says meeting time was changed without full-board approval; prosecutor warns of Open Meetings Act risk
Summary
At the Aug. 12 Houghton County Board meeting Commissioner Joel Keranen said the meeting time had been changed from 3:00 p.m. to 10:00 a.m. without full-board approval. County Prosecutor Daniel Helmer warned that votes taken under that scheduling could implicate Michigan's Open Meetings Act, potentially affecting action on a proposed jail millage.
Houghton County commissioners met Aug. 12, 2025, but the session opened under a procedural cloud when Commissioner Joel Keranen raised a point of order saying he believed the meeting time had been changed from 3:00 p.m. to 10:00 a.m. without the full board's approval. County Prosecutor Daniel Helmer told the board he could not find authority for the chair or the county administrator to change the meeting time and warned of a possible Open Meetings Act violation if the board took votes under that schedule.
Keranen said he had concerns about how the meeting time was altered and asked for clarity on whether the change had been authorized by the full board. According to the transcript, Helmer told commissioners he had reviewed the situation and "He felt this could be a Open Meetings Act violation should the Board do any voting." He added that, under his reading, the chair could cancel a meeting but did not have unilateral authority to change its scheduled time.
The exchange came amid public comments about the county's proposed jail millage and its place on upcoming ballots. Public commenter Dan Holombo asked whether, if the board did not approve ballot language that day, the jail proposal would be excluded from the November ballot. Becky Bruin-Slot urged the board to be transparent about why the millage failed previously and to explain which staff would be assigned to a new facility versus the courthouse; she said she supports the sheriff and asked the board to "take their time" before placing the issue on a ballot. John Haeussler suggested the board might be able to pursue an emergency hearing to address timing.
Rather than formally voting at the Aug. 12 session, the commissioners verbally agreed to schedule the August monthly meeting for Friday, Aug. 15, 2025, at 2:00 p.m.; that rescheduling was not recorded as a formal, roll-call motion in the transcript. Chairman Tom Tikkanen apologized to the board and public for the oversight in rescheduling the meeting.
The board adjourned later in the session by a unanimous voice vote. Because the prosecutor flagged a potential Open Meetings Act issue, Helmer's comments suggest commissioners should confirm that any future votes are taken under procedurally sound notice and timing.
