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Houghton County meeting roundup: contracts, appointments, payments and public comments
Summary
At its Sept. 9 meeting the board approved a Tri-County Public Defenders contract pending prosecutor review, authorized two public-defender payments, changed monthly meeting time and venue, approved a cross-connection water program, reappointed officials, adopted a POAM bargaining agreement, and approved a $27,415.82 appropriation to Copper Country Community Mental Health; public comments included concerns about residents feeding bears.
The Houghton County Board of Commissioners handled a slate of administrative actions on Sept. 9, 2025, including contract, payment and appointment approvals alongside routine appropriations and program sign-offs.
Tri-County Public Defenders: Commissioner Keranen said he and Commissioner Anderson met with Tri-County Public Defenders and the county finance manager; the board moved to adopt the FY2025/26 and FY2026/27 contract pending review by Prosecutor Helmer (motion carried). The board separately approved two payments to Tri-County Public Defenders: an additional payment of $1,163.36 (motion carried) and a July 2025 payment of $65,316.33 (motion carried). The meeting record notes a remaining loan balance of $122,486.65 before the smaller payment.
Meetings and venue: The board voted to change its regular monthly meeting time to 6:00 p.m. on the second Tuesday of each month and to hold monthly meetings in Circuit Court effective October’s meeting; the motions passed by voice vote amid discussion of winter hours, courtroom acoustics and hearing access.
Programs, appointments and appropriations: The board approved the Cross-Connection Control Program for the Houghton County Water System as presented by Airport Manager Dennis Hext; reappointed Christy Hilgers to the Houghton County Human Service Board for a three-year term; reappointed Barbara Manninen and Becky Bruin-Slot to the Canvassing Board; and approved Resolution #2025-025 adopting the POAM collective bargaining agreement. The board also approved an appropriation of $27,415.82 to Copper Country Community Mental Health.
Public comments and community concerns: Franklin Township Supervisor Mary Sears and a biologist identified as Maureen urged county action after reports of residents feeding bears and growing bear presence in Franklin Township. The board approved a motion (moved by Commissioner Britz, seconded by Commissioner Janssen) to send a letter to local legislators requesting support to address the issue. Multiple speakers raised concerns about hearing access in Circuit Court and asked that committee and meeting arrangements consider the hearing-impaired.
Other routine actions included authorization for commissioners and staff to attend regional conferences and approval of a fuel expense for a conference attendee. The meeting adjourned at 4:49 p.m.
