IRON MOUNTAIN — Dickinson County received some encouraging budget news Monday as Controller Brian Bousley reported receiving a $550,000 community stabilization payment from the state.

Although the county had anticipated a $700,000 payment, discussions last month raised the possibility that no funding would be provided. Under a worst-case scenario, the county still faces a potential loss of about $950,000 in state funding due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Bousley said.

The community stabilization payment, which is reimbursement for revenues lost under personal property tax reform, makes it unlikely the county will have to dig deep into its reserves anytime soon.

Concerns remain, however, because less than 25% of the county’s anticipated $600,000 share of state sales tax revenues has been received. About $420,000 in payments in lieu of taxes on Michigan Department of Natural Resources property could also be up in the air.

The county board has a contingency plan to let some expected staff vacancies go unfilled, make other budget adjustments and, as a last resort, tap up to $700,000 from its general fund balance of $4.8 million.

Commissioner Joe Stevens cited the potential budget shortfall as he moved Monday to deny a request from the Lake Antoine Association for a $1,500 contribution for milfoil control.

Meeting by teleconference, the vote was 4-1 to reject the funding, with Commissioner Kevin Pirlot the lone objector.

The decision drew criticism during citizens’ time from Iron Mountain Mayor Dale Alessandrini, who said the city is contributing $1,500, as is Breitung Township.

“You’ve got a campground there, you guys should be pitching in your fair share,” he said.

But Commissioner John Degenaer Jr. said helping fund Lake Antoine treatments obligates the county to assist all other lake groups. The board, in a split vote, provided $1,500 for Lake Antoine milfoil control in May 2019, its first contribution to the program in a number of years.

According to Lake Antoine Association representative Jeff Jayne, a 2019 survey found 6.45 acres of milfoil beds. The 2020 plan is to treat that same amount of acreage with Navigate herbicide.

In other action, the county board tabled until its June 22 meeting a proposal to begin talks on selling the county-owned senior center at Crystal Lake to the Iron Mountain Senior Council or, as a second option, to the Dickinson-Iron Community Services Agency.

The vote to table was 4-1, with Chairman Henry Wender voting no. “It’s time to unload it,” Wender said.

Other commissioners said seniors in the community should have a chance for input. An earlier motion by Pirlot to deny the proposed sale received support only from Degenaer.

The center, which is leased to the senior council, has been a source of frustration due to ongoing sewage backflows. The county and center spent about $100,000 in 2019 on a new lift station and other repairs. Now, the county is awaiting a bill from Valley Mechanical of Norway for replacement of a drain line.

That recent work, which is wrapping up, will separate a pipe that was shared with the YMCA building, Pirlot noted.

“Hopefully, we should be good for a while now,” said Bousley.

Commissioner Barbara Kramer said the Iron Mountain center is the only senior venue that operates under a lease. “Every other center owns their own building,” she said.

During the repairs, DICSA is using the Iron Mountain North Elementary School kitchen for its Meals on Wheels program.

The county board, in other business:

— Confirmed the Lake Antoine Park campground is scheduled to open June 22. We Energies still needs to install a pole to complete an electrical system upgrade and the company has given assurances the deadline will be met, Bousley said. Enbridge Inc. provided a $15,000 grant for the estimated $100,000 project.

— Heard Kramer urge compliance with park rules, including having dogs on a leash. She also encouraged stricter enforcement by authorities. Dogs are allowed to run at the park only until 9 a.m., Kramer noted.

— Heard Stevens, and later Pirlot, express support for law enforcement during trying times. “We want to continue to support them. I don’t want any changes,” Stevens said. Pirlot praised Sheriff Scott Rutter, and said having an elected sheriff helps make the position and department “very responsive.”

— Approved a $200 donation to the Sons of American Legion Squadron 50 for the Independence Day fireworks display from Millie Hill in Iron Mountain.