Dickinson board decides more ARP funding uses
Trending
IRON MOUNTAIN -- Dickinson County has committed nearly $2 million of its $4.9 million in American Rescue Plan funds, approving about $1 million in spending during special sessions the past two weeks.
At Monday's county board meeting, Controller Brian Bousley advised other approvals are on hold until a decision is made on repairs to the courthouse clock tower, which appears to be moving slightly. A project was performed in 2015 at a cost of $124,000, but more work may be needed.
Structural engineers will inspect the courthouse to determine if further remedies are needed, Bousley said. Removing part of the 89-foot tower has been suggested, although no clear analysis is on the table.
"Safety is the key," Commissioner Joe Stevens said.
Built in 1896, the Richardsonian Romanesque courthouse was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1980. It was designed by architect James E. Clancy of Antigo, Wis., a former Iron Mountain resident.
At a March 30 special meeting, the county board committed $288,000 in ARP funds to the county road commission to help repair Cheese Factory Road in Breen Township. Also approved was $100,000 to pave Iron Mountain's Kramer Drive near the top of Pine Mountain ski jump, although talks will still be needed with the city, Bousley said.
ARP is a federal pandemic aid package authorized in March 2021. The county has until the end of 2024 to obligate funds and until the end of 2026 to fully expend them.
Minutes from the March 30 meeting show the board approved a quote of $254,108 from Energy Control & Design of Appleton, Wis., for heating, ventilation and air conditioning controls in the courthouse and correctional center. In addition, the board OK'd getting two new vehicles through the state's MiDEAL purchasing program.
The vehicles can be used by courthouse staff for meeting or training travel, as well as local duties, saving significantly on mileage costs, Bousley said. The listed purchases are a 2022 Ford Explorer for $28,499 and a 2022 Chevrolet Traverse for $26,250.
At a parks meeting April 4, the board agreed to pay off the fair board's remaining debt on a multipurpose building that was moved to the Norway fairgrounds in 2017. The payoff is listed at $178,790. The county has also promised $112,908 from its share of Michigan's 10% adult-use marijuana excise tax.
Other planned projects include $31,227 for security cameras, $18,465 for a courthouse amplification system and $61,639 for courthouse windows on the east side.
At earlier meetings, the board agreed to provide $100,000 to each of the county's seven townships for infrastructure work; $108,875 to replace the grandstand roof at the fairgrounds; $36,000 for a boarding ramp at Ford Airport; a $70,000 helicopter assembly kit for a Dickinson-Iron Career Technical Education Center course at the airport; and $69,200 for tuckpointing on the courthouse.
The board holds two regular meetings each month but has elected to approve much of the ARP spending during committee meetings or special sessions. The March 30 meeting, attended by road commission representatives, took place at 9:30 a.m., two days after the board's regular March 28 meeting.