IRON MOUNTAIN — Dickinson County will expect 2023 budget requests by Sept. 30 under a calendar approved this week by the county board.

After a review of worksheets, the board will meet with department heads Nov. 1. Annual funding requests from the Dickinson-Iron Community Services Agency and the five senior centers in the county will also be due Nov. 1, followed by a Nov. 8 meeting to determine the distribution of senior millage funds.

The county board will review the recommended general fund budget Dec. 6 and schedule a public hearing for late December.

In other action Monday, the county board:

— Received a community needs assessment prepared by DICSA that includes a survey identifying the most critical issues in the community. Those issues include a lack of affordable housing, substance abuse and a lack of mental health services. Among existing programs and services, the survey rates the most needed as Meals on Wheels, mental health, and transportation. Unmet needs identified include public transportation and dental care. The full assessment, which is conducted every three years, is available at https://www.dicsami.org/community-needs-assessment.

— Heard Bruce Aderman of Quinnesec recommend that Dickinson County Library keep some books — namely illustrated novels with sex scenes — behind a desk and available only by request. In response to a protest earlier this year, the library moved its adult graphic novels farther from the main reading room but rejected suggestions that some materials be placed behind a counter. Meanwhile, the county board has

heard from patrons praising the library for including contemporary LGBTQ books in its collection.

— Accepted a quote from Otis Elevator Co. Inc. for an elevator oil change at a cost of $22,500.

— Allocated $72,616 in federal American Rescue Plan Act funds to Breitung Township for water project supplies received from Core & Main of De Pere, Wis. This completes the county’s $100,000 commitment of ARP funds to the township, with the remainder going toward a vehicle.

Jim Anderson can be reached at 906-774-2772 ext. 226 or janderson@ironmountaindailynews.com.