The Houghton County Board of Commissioners held a
Special Meeting on Thursday, April 26, 2007, in the 5th
Floor Conference Room of the Courthouse, City of
Houghton.
The meeting was called to order by the Chairman, Paul
Luoma at 5:00 p.m. After the Pledge of Allegiance the
following commissioners responded to roll call: Edward
Jenich, District 1; Dennis Barrette, District 2; Anton
Pintar, District 3; Scott Ala, District 4; and Paul
Luoma, District 5.
Additions to the agenda were #5 Planning Commission
and #6 Personnel. A motion was made by Commissioner
Barrette and seconded by Commissioner Ala to approve the
agenda with the additions as stated. The motion carried
with a voice vote. Ayes 5, Nays 0.
Public Comment None
Correspondence None
New Business
- County Equalization – Tom Novascone, Houghton
County Equalization Director. Tom went over the 2007
Equalization Report for Houghton County. The report
shows the assessed value of each class of property
in each unit of government within Houghton County.
Each assessor of the local units of government must
either add or reduce to reach a 50% ratio of their
assessed value. He explained Duncan Township had to
be reduced in the Commercial Class by 4,793. In the
Timber-Cutover Class, Elm River had to be reduced
24,192 and Portage Township had to be reduced
18,669. The Equalized Value this year is
953,794,774. A motion was made by Commissioner
Jenich and seconded by Commissioner Ala to adopt the
Equalization Report as presented.
The motion carried by the following vote.
Yes: Jenich, Ala, Barrette, Pintar, Luoma 5.
No: None 0.
- Deficit elimination resolutions. Eric Forsberg
explained to the Board that the County is required
to submit a plan and resolution for each fund that
ended in the last fiscal year with a deficit net
asset balance. Each plan and resolution must be
approved by the Board.
- Houghton County Airport Water and Sewer Fund
Deficit Elimination Plan and Resolution. A
motion was made by Commissioner Barrette and
seconded by Commissioner Jenich to adopt the
plan and resolution as presented.
Carried by the following vote:
Yes: Barrette, Jenich, Pintar, Ala, Luoma 5.
No: None 0.
- Houghton County Passenger Facility Charge
Fund Deficit Elimination Plan
and Resolution. A motion was made by
Commissioner Ala and seconded by Commissioner
Pintar to adopt the plan and resolution as
presented.
Carried by the following vote:
Yes: Ala, Pintar, Jenich, Barrette, Luoma 5.
No: None 0.
- Houghton County Marina Deficit Elimination
Plan and Resolution. A motion
was made by Commissioner Jenich and seconded
by Commissioner Ala to adopt the plan and
resolution as presented.
Carried by the following vote:
Yes: Jenich, Ala, Barrette, Pintar, Luoma 5.
No: None 0.
- Houghton County 2006 Delinquent Property Tax
Sale Deficit Elimination
Plan. A motion was made by Commissioner
Barrette and seconded by Commissioner Ala to
adopt the plan and resolution as presented.
Carried by the following vote:
Yes: Barrette, Ala, Jenich, Pintar, Luoma
5.
No: None 0.
- Health Department intergovernmental agreement.
Eric stated the Prosecutor’s Office has reviewed the
document and now that it was reviewed, he recommends
that the Board approve the agreement. A motion was
made by Commissioner Barrette and seconded by
Commissioner Pintar to approve the agreement as
submitted. Carried by a voice vote. Ayes 5, Nays 0.
4. Request to hire vendor for Homeland Security
Grant. Roy Britz, 911 Coordinator,
said they are trying to enhance and upgrade the
VHS equipment in Houghton
County for the fire-pagers and first responders.
He said he would like the Board to
approve negotiations with El-Com services of
Marquette to design / install the
upgrade. The cost would be covered by the
Homeland Security Grant and would
be no cost to the County. A motion was made by
Commissioner Barrette and
seconded by Commissioner Jenich to allow Roy
Britz to negotiate with El-Com
for the upgrade. Carried by a voice vote. Ayes 5,
Nays 0.
5. Planning Commission – Commissioner Pintar had
a question about the U.P.
Power Company’s Shoreline Management Plan for
Prickett Dam. He was not sure if this was
something that the Planning Commission was to
review and then it goes before the County Board.
A discussion followed. The Planning Commission
will meet on May 7th and a
representative from UPPCO will address them.
They will then make a recommendation to the
County Board at their May 15th
meeting.
- Personnel – Eric Forsberg announced that Tom
Novascone, Houghton County
Equalization Director will be leaving at the
end of May. The County will advertise for a
level 3 assessor to fill the position..
Public Comment
Eric said the Rural Development Grants that were
applied for, for the rescue sleds that were purchased
and for the squad cars, were approved. However, they
were just notified that there was no funding. The State
reviewed the Marina Study and sent it back for more
information. It has been sent to U.P. Engineering.
Matt Arko asked if the local assessors and townships
could have some input and meet the applicants for the
Equalization Director before the person is hired.
Commissioner Ala made a motion to adjourn the
meeting. There being no objection, Commissioner Luoma
announced the meeting was adjourned.
_____________________________________
Paul Luoma, Chairman
_____________________________________
Mary Schoos, Clerk
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