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IRON MOUNTAIN -- Dickinson County has reached a tentative agreement with two of the four bargaining units that have contracts expiring at the end of the year.
After meeting in a closed session Monday, the board approved four-year agreements with unions representing the county's command officers and patrol and dispatch employees. The wage increases are 2% for each of the next four years, Controller Brian Bousley said.
The two unions represent a total of about 20 employees. Negotiations continue with bargaining units for 12 corrections officers and about 40 governmental employees at the courthouse and Ford Airport.
It is hoped talks will be wrapped up by year's end, Bousley said.
In other action, the board:
-- Heard Commissioner Joe Stevens state opposition to Michigan House Bill 5351, which doubles the personal property tax exemption for business tools and equipment from the current $80,000 to $160,000, and also indexes that exemption to inflation going forward. The bill, which passed the House on Wednesday, is an "unfunded mandate" because municipalities are affected by the lost revenues, Stevens said. The Michigan Association of Counties opposes the measure, which now goes to the Senate, he said.
-- Approved by voice vote the reappointment of Margaret Minerick and Keith Hammond to the Dickinson County Healthcare System Board of Trustees. The board should soon dissolve as DCH becomes part of Marshfield Clinic Health System, but the agreement is not yet finalized. Under the planned affiliation, at least some current hospital board members will play an advisory role to Marshfield.
-- Adopted a resolution honoring retiring Mine Inspector Steve Smith, who has been in the elected office since 2013. Smith has "meticulously maintained accurate site information, prepared appropriate action plans to address the safety concerns of each site and met with landowners to establish a working relationship," the resolution states. "He really did a great job for us," Stevens said. Mike Ghere is training to seek appointment as Smith's replacement in 2022.
-- Noted a park and recreation survey is now available at https://www.dickinsoncountymi.gov/. It takes about 15 minutes to complete, Commissioner Barbara Kramer said. A draft copy of the county's five-year recreation plan is also on the website. Projects proposed for grant funding include a new bathroom and shower facility at Lake Antoine Park, Pine Mountain improvements, a pavilion at the Fumee Lake Natural Area and restoration of the historic Twins Falls Bridge on the Menominee River for use by non-motorized vehicles.
-- Renewed an agreement with Advanced Correctional Jail Inmate Healthcare Inc. at $138,972 for 2022. Sheriff Scott Rutter said he has been very satisfied with the county jail health care provider. Based in Franklin, Tenn., the firm provides services across 16 states.
-- Appointed Kim Mainville to the Veterans Affairs Board for a partial term expiring Dec. 31, 2024.
-- Approved placement of County GIS, prepared by Colligo GIS of Iron Mountain, on the county's website. The county is serving as a clearinghouse for the geographic information system data, Bousley explained.
-- Approved paying $523 for annual National Association of Counties dues.