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IRON MOUNTAIN -- Early voting will be available in Michigan beginning with the Feb. 27 presidential primary and Kingsford City Hall will be the site for all municipalities in Dickinson County.
Iron Mountain City Council approved the plan in a 5-2 voice vote Monday after City Manager Jordan Stanchina explained the city would have to pay substantial costs if it tried to conduct the required nine days of early voting on its own.
"The agreement only applies to 2024 and could change depending on the experience we have during next year's elections," he said. Kingsford was selected because "they have the available space" to accommodate all Dickinson County jurisdictions, he added.
Carol Bronzyk, Dickinson County clerk-register of deeds, estimates a cost of $60,000 or more for the needed equipment and staffing. She will apply for a state grant that could potentially pay all of that, although it hasn't been determined.
Council members Ken Clawson and Cathy Tomassoni voted no, but stated no alternatives.
Under a ballot proposal approved by Michigan voters last November, all jurisdictions must offer at least nine days of early voting beginning with the presidential primary in 2024 and every statewide and federal election thereafter.
Voting at Kingsford will be offered from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. each day with Bronzyk serving as coordinator. A participating municipal clerk or a member of the county clerk's staff will act as supervisor for each day of early voting.
Absentee and Election Day voting in individual municipalities will be conducted the same as in the past.
In other action Monday, Iron Mountain City Council:
-- Agreed to pursue a letter of understanding with the police officers union to enable the city to offer a starting wage of up to $28.77 per hour for patrol officers who have experience with other departments. The current starting wage is $24.53, regardless of previous experience. This is a significant issue when trying to recruit officers and the change may help as the city tries to fill a vacancy in November, Stanchina said.
-- Decided to contract with Bianco Trucking Services of Bark River to provide commercial driver's license training to a public works employee at a cost of $3,380. The city will pay the cost, but if the employee leaves within two years of obtaining a CDL he will be obligated to reimburse the city on a pro-rated basis.
-- Opened four bids for 1,000 tons of 22A road gravel and referred them to staff. The low bid was $9,880 from Bill Neuens Enterprises of Iron Mountain.
-- Opened two bids for a self-propelled dump trailer for cemetery use. Staff will review the low offer from Equipter for its 3300 model at a base cost of $24,900 and make a recommendation.
-- Approved the purchase of traffic control signs and barricades from The Supply Place at Kingsford Ace Hardware at a cost of $5,710, the lowest quote received.
-- Gave permission to Dickinson-Iron Great Start Collaborative to place a book box at City Park.
Jim Anderson can be reached at 906-774-3500 ext. 226 or janderson@