By BRIAN

CHRISTENSEN

Staff Writer

CRYSTALS FALLS — The Iron County Board on has tabled a motion to fund legal fee agreements with two public defenders.

The agreements would have Nancy Schaub and Abbey Anderson serve as court-appointed attorneys until Dec. 31 at a monthly rate of $1,500 each.

Without such an agreement, Judge Donald Powell said, both Schaub and Anderson would continue to earn by the hour, which would cost significantly more.

While the motion was tabled last week — in part because the board cannot authorize unbudgeted funds without an amendment — there were concerns about cost.

“How are we going to pay for it?” Commissioner Tim Aho said.

“It’s very difficult for a county to increase revenue,” civil counsel Steve Tinti said. “So the question becomes, ‘What do we have to do to fund the legal and reduce the rest of the process so we do not continue to be in the negative?'”

Powell acknowledged he had no way of paying for the agreement in his budget, though he anticipated his office would generate increased revenue after Michigan’s stay-at-home order was lifted.

But Tinti noted a loss of legal fund revenues months before Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s executive order.

“I think we have a systemic problem,” Tinti said.

“We have an increase in felonies and a decrease in misdemeanors,” Powell said, adding the trend stretched back further than the start of the year. “Felonies don’t bring the county any money. Misdemeanors do.”

While Tinti emphasized the county is obligated to provide adequate counsel for the public and recognized the contract would save money and “buy certainty,” he also stressed responsible spending.

“If the revenue is not there, then we have to control the expenditure because we cannot continue to consume unbalanced,” Tinti said. “This is a fundamental problem our county has this year.”

Commissioner Ray Coates proposed the board table the motion, advising members “take a long, hard look” at the agreements.

In other business, the board:

— Accepted Mark Selmo’s resignation from the Iron County Jury Board and appointed Anthony Clements, based on Powell’s recommendation. Clements’ term expires April 20, 2025.

— Tabled adoption of the board’s rules of order until June 9 to allow Board Chairwoman Patti Peretto and Commissioner Mike Stafford the chance to vote on the matter. Peretto and Stafford were absent from the meeting.

— Set hourly rates for temporary and seasonal employees at the Iron County Youth Camp. Maintenance staff will earn $12.50 an hour and clerical or support staff will earn $15.50.

Brian Christensen can be reached at 906-774-2772, ext. 229, or bchristensen@ironmountaindailynews.com.