IRON MOUNTAIN — Dickinson County earned $135,112 in interest income in 2019, an increase of nearly $53,000 from the previous year, Treasurer Lorna Carey said.

Interest rates were higher, due to a recovering economy, Carey told the county board Monday. Also, more funds were invested with the Michigan Cooperative Liquid Assets Securities System, a local government investment pool that pays better yields.

The interest earnings came from the general fund, as well as monies held by other county entities such as the road commission, county library, and the airport’s Fontana Trust. The county’s general fund earnings totaled $48,949 on an average return of nearly 3%, Carey said.

Additionally, interest collected on overdue taxes totaled $160,232 in 2019, down $2,932 from 2018.

“The amount of delinquent taxes purchased increased slightly from the year 2018, but we are collecting tax payments sooner after we begin collection, therefore decreasing the amount of interest the taxpayer is charged,” Carey explained in a memo to the board.

Each year, the county purchases delinquent taxes from local tax units. In this manner, local units are kept whole while the county collects overdue taxes and penalties as they are paid.

The 2018 delinquent taxes purchased in 2109 totaled $1.72 million, an increase of about $81,500 from the previous year.

“We did not borrow to purchase the 2018 delinquent taxes and I am confident we will not need to borrow to purchase the 2019 delinquent taxes in 2020,” Carey said.

Board Chairman Henry Wender complimented Carey for doing “an excellent job on investments.”

In other action, the county board:

— Learned from Controller Brian Bousley that a record 22,980 passengers boarded flights at Ford Airport in 2019. Dickinson’s total compares with 17,443 in Delta County and 25,451 in Houghton County, he said. Annual enplanements of 10,000 or more qualifies the county for up to $1 million in federal airport improvement program funds.

— Heard Sheriff Scott Rutter report that deputies are now present for flight arrivals and departures at the airport, a service that’s partially supported by a Federal Aviation Administration grant. “The response has been very positive,” Rutter said.

— Approved, for review, an amended county park ordinance. The document will be posted on the county’s website at http://www.dickinsoncountymi.gov/. After 50 days, it will come back to the board for adoption. The county’s updated recreation plan also will be posted on the website later this month.

— In response to an inquiry from Gerald McCole of Channing, agreed to look into an announced suspension of senior meals at the Sagola center where the cook is taking a vacation.

— Heard Bill Rice of the Dickinson Conservation District Board encourage participation in a Natural Resource Assessment survey posted at https://www.dickinsoncd.org/. The district is seeking public feedback to better meet and serve the natural resources needs of the county and its residents, he said.

— Renewed a contract with TRICO Opportunities Inc. for janitorial services at the courthouse and correctional center at a cost of $56 per day.

— Extended congratulations to Clerk-Register of Deeds Dolly Cook, now the longest-serving active county clerk in Michigan, having first been elected in 1990. A public reception will take place at the courthouse at 2:30 p.m. Feb. 21.