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Dickinson OKs new contract for inmate health services

IRON MOUNTAIN — Dickinson County is switching to a new provider for inmate health care services as recommended by Sheriff Scott Rutter.

The contract with Advanced Correctional Healthcare of Peoria, Ill., has an annual cost of $123,611, about $1,400 more than what the county now pays, but services will be enhanced, Rutter said.

The county board agreed Monday to terminate a contract with Correct Care Solutions of Nashville, Tenn., and make the change.

“This new company has more to offer,” Rutter said. Advanced Correctional Healthcare will provide more physician assistant time and will follow a coded billing process, among other improvements, the sheriff said.

In other action, the county board:

— Approved a request from Rutter to fill a full-time E911 dispatcher vacancy.

— Approved paying $5,000 to the newly reorganized Dickinson Area Economic Development Alliance. The allocation is for one year, even though the alliance sought a three-year commitment. “If we don’t see results, next year I will not support it,” said Board Chairman Henry Wender. “We’ll see how it goes.” Commissioner Joe Stevens said he was happy with the board’s decision, calling it “a positive for industry and our small-business people.” The alliance has met its goal of raising $200,000 from the private sector, Stevens said.

— Voted 3-2 to contribute $550 to the Upper Peninsula Travel and Recreation Association. Wender and Commissioner Ann Martin voted no.

— Adopted a budget calendar for fiscal year 2018 that calls for completion of a draft plan by Nov. 10, with a public hearing and adoption on Dec. 11. Controller Brian Bousley said he expects to include a five-year capital improvement plan.

— Heard Bousley report the county was awarded a pair of Risk Avoidance Program grants from the Michigan Municipal Risk Management Authority. The grants, which require matching funds from the county, are $10,555 to add six new security cameras at the correctional center and $1,500 to help purchase three Tasers.

— Authorized paying $7,423 to Valley Mechanical Inc. of Norway for emergency repairs to the heating, ventilation and air conditioning rooftop system at the jail.

— Heard commissioners John Degenaer Jr. and Joe Stevens praise the quality of new livestock pens installed at the Dickinson County Fairgrounds. Using donated metal from BOSS Snowplow of Iron Mountain, Dickinson-Iron Intermediate School District Tech Center welding students, led by instructor Andrew Paulsen, built 30 new pens, mainly for hogs.

Jim Anderson can be reached at 906-774-3500, ext. 26, or janderson@ironmountaindailynews.com.

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