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IRON MOUNTAIN -- Dickinson County is gathering information on potential uses for its $4.9 million in American Rescue Plan Act funding, with talks expected Thursday during a finance meeting.
Controller Brian Bousley told the county board Monday he expects to have cost estimates available on a number of needs. During a January session, the board explored ideas that included courthouse and correctional center renovations, assistance to non-profit groups, Fumee Lake improvements, aid to senior centers, county vehicles for travel to meetings and training, a forest management plan, and Brownfield Authority and local infrastructure projects.
Local governments have until the end of 2026 to use the pandemic aid included in an economic stimulus bill President Joe Biden signed in March, but commitments must be made earlier.
The finance meeting is scheduled for 8:30 a.m. Thursday in the courthouse conference room.
In other action Monday, the county board:
-- Received a report from the Medical Care Access Coalition and Prescription Assistance program that showed 283 prescription assistance clients served in 2021, along with 88 Medicare clients, 35 Medicaid clients, nine food stamp clients and 39 health care marketplace clients. Total prescription assistance was reported at $1.6 million, with $320,000 in prescription savings for Medicare clients. MCAC is funded through a property tax of 0.1 mills, or 10 cents per $1,000 of taxable value, approved by county voters in November 2020.
-- Approved compensation of $100 per hour for attorneys representing indigent parties in the Probate Court and Family Division of the Circuit Court. The previous stipend was paid through a contract that worked out to about $50 per hour. Local attorneys now receive at least $110 per hour for indigent criminal representation, Probate Judge Thomas Slagle said.
The Michigan Indigent Criminal Defense Commission has so far excluded children, parents, mentally ill and incompetent individuals from its umbrella for representation, so the expense will be borne by the court.
-- Reported that Lake Antoine campground reservations can be made online at a future date. Updates will be posted at https://www.dickinsoncountymi.gov/. About 40 reservations were placed when the county accepted phone calls over a recent two-day period, Bousley said.
-- Approved Sheriff Scott Rutter's request to hire dispatcher Nicole Wright at the second year of the county's pay scale, or $20.74 per hour. Wright has 12 years of experience in the field, including special training for Michigan Law Enforcement Information Network audits.
-- In a 3-2 vote, authorized paying Northwoods Rail Transit Commission dues of $300. The commission is organized to sustain and enhance rail service in northern Wisconsin and the Upper Peninsula. Chairman Henry Wender and Commissioner Ann Martin voted no.
-- In a 4-1 vote, approved a $70,250 payment request from the Dickinson-Iron Community Services Agency that represents DICSA's first-quarter share of the county's 2022 senior millage proceeds. Commissioner Barbara Kramer voted no because the agency's request was mistakenly dated for the fourth quarter of 2021.
-- Accepted a Michigan Department of Transportation contract for reimbursement of aircraft rescue and firefighting training expenses up to $2,000.
Jim Anderson can be reached at 906-774-2772, ext. 226, or janderson@ironmountaindailynews.com.