Houghton County board approves $1.42 million in bills, routine appropriations and local purchases
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Summary
At its Aug. 15 meeting the Houghton County Board approved payment of $1,419,057.13 in bills, adopted routine regional dues and funding allocations, and approved marina purchases and two housing purchases from CDBG funds. Several board members were assigned follow-up tasks on county properties.
The Houghton County Board of Commissioners voted Aug. 15 to approve bills totaling $1,419,057.13 and a package of routine appropriations and local purchases.
Commissioner Joel Keranen moved to approve payment of the bills; Commissioner Glenn Anderson seconded the motion, which carried with a recorded YES vote from Keranen, Anderson, Tikkanen, Janssen and Britz. The payment covers regular county obligations presented at the meeting.
Why it matters: the approved payments and appropriations maintain county operations and fund ongoing programs and contracts. During the meeting the board also approved an auditor contract, regional membership dues and a series of smaller capital and service purchases.
Key actions taken: the board awarded a one-year auditor contract to Anderson & Tackman; approved a $3,059.15 purchase for a marina lawnmower; authorized $19,650 for marina Wi‑Fi connectivity upgrades; and approved $15,939.05 for new marina windows after deducting $625.14 in sales tax from the submitted $16,564.19 invoice. The board also approved a $28,500 CDBG allocation to purchase two homes (one in Hancock and one in Houghton) following a presentation by Lisa McKenzie.
Commissioner Glenn Anderson moved and Commissioner Gretchen Janssen seconded approving a $14,871 annual contribution to the Western U.P. Planning & Development Region (WUPPDR) and a $1,100 UPCAP dues payment; Commissioner Janssen moved and Commissioner Joel Keranen seconded approval of Michigan Association of Counties (MAC) dues of $5,610.82 and asked that the bill be reissued to Administrator Rheault. The board also approved a quarterly payment of $164,495 to Copper Country Mental Health Services; the minutes note this amount has been unchanged since 1996.
The board approved two Tri-County Public Defenders payments: a conditional $50,172.21 payment to address previously disallowed MIDC expenditures once reimbursements are confirmed, and a $107,087.37 payment for June 2025; the minutes note a remaining loan balance of $229,574.02 before that payment. Motions related to those items were moved by Commissioner Glenn Anderson and seconded by Commissioner Gretchen Janssen.
Administrative and personnel items included authorization for Administrator Rheault to post an advertisement to fill the position vacated by John Haeussler effective Dec. 31 (check with Treasurer Mattila for posting category) and authorization to post for the position vacated by Dennis Hext, with applications due Sept. 12, 2025.
The meeting also approved travel funding for two staff members: $285 for Jaikob Djerf, Equalization Director, to attend Sept. 8–9, 2025 travel/training and $1,000 for Drew Bastman (FOC) to attend Sept. 25–26, 2025.
What’s next: several commissioners were assigned to research county property matters, and the board will consider follow-up reports at future meetings. The board adjourned at 4:05 p.m.