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IRON MOUNTAIN -- An effort is underway to bring a veterans cemetery to Dickinson County -- a first for the Upper Peninsula -- but no specific plan has been stated.
At a special meeting Nov. 1, Dickinson County Board adopted a resolution supporting the concept, noting the nearest veterans cemetery in Michigan is the Great Lakes National Cemetery in Holly, about 55 miles northwest of Detroit. Fort Custer National Cemetery is in Kalamazoo County.
In December, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer signed legislation to allocate funding and give permission to purchase land in either Crawford or Presque Isle counties to establish the first state-owned veterans cemetery. The distance from Iron Mountain is about 280 miles.
That project is expected to cost $10 million to $15 million, funded with federal dollars, according to Interlochen Public Radio.
The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs has grant funds states may use to establish and operate state veterans cemeteries. The VA can provide up to 100% of the development cost, but operation and maintenance is partly up to the state, according to a Senate staff analysis of the Veterans Cemetery Act signed by Whitmer.
State and federally operated cemeteries have the added benefit of free burial services for military families.
The Oscar G. Johnson VA Medical Center in Iron Mountain draws patients from the entire Upper Peninsula and northern Wisconsin, the county board said. Also, Dickinson County has the largest veteran population in the U.P. and is centrally located in the region.
"Dickinson County would be honored to be a destination and final resting place for the brave veterans who have faithfully served our nation," the resolution concludes.
Wisconsin has veterans cemeteries in Spooner, King and Union Grove. The nearest to Iron Mountain would be King, in Waupaca County, about 170 miles away.
Minutes from the Nov. 1 session were approved by the county board at its regular meeting Monday. There was no discussion on the progress of the plan.
Also during the Nov. 1 meeting, the board heard a review and proposals on computer system security from John Sexton of Karhu Cyber of Houghton. No action was taken as discussions took place on the 2024 budget, which will be finalized in the coming weeks.
In other action Monday, the county board:
-- Approved Feb. 27 ballot language calling for a four-year renewal of a property tax levy of 0.1 mills, or 10 cents per $1,000 of taxable value, for health care benefits counseling. The levy would raise an estimated $101,856 in 2024. The tax was first approved by voters in November 2020 and is used to fund the Medical Care Access Coalition, which helped clients secure $1.66 million in prescription assistance in 2022. MCAC also provides free Medicare and Medicaid counseling, as well as helping residents file Health Insurance Marketplace applications.
-- Learned the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services is coordinating with stakeholders to expand development of jail-based Medication Assisted Treatment, or MAT, programs statewide to treat opioid use disorder, including improved care coordination post-incarceration. A program in Dickinson County is in the planning stages, Sheriff Scott Rutter said.
-- Expects a new medical examiner's office at Ford Airport to open soon, as the county plans to establish a regional facility for autopsy services. In June, the board reappointed Dr. Martin Cristanelli as the county's medical examiner for a term until March 21, 2025. The opening of the office has been stalled by several factors, including delays in securing equipment, according to Controller Brian Bousley.
-- Adopted a resolution for Family Court Awareness Month. The purpose is to emphasize the importance of research, education and treatment in having a family court system that prioritizes child safety while making decisions in the best interests of children.
-- Approved a 2024 pest control service agreement with Clean Kill for the correctional center and courthouse at a rate of $120 per month.