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IRON MOUNTAIN -- Dickinson County Board will join Upper Peninsula lawmakers who are protesting changes in mail service linked to route adjustments and plans by the U.S. Postal Service to transfer some operations away from a processing facility in Kingsford.
Commissioners on Monday agreed to draft a resolution detailing their concerns and echoing resolutions adopted by the state Legislature condemning a depletion of services in the U.P.
Commissioner Joe Stevens noted a public input meeting set for Feb. 8 that was postponed by USPS has yet to be rescheduled. He urged citizens "to attend and voice an opinion" when the meeting is announced.
According to a Feb. 7 news release from U.P. lawmakers, residents are now paying the same rates for two to four days delivery in the U.P., which was next-day delivery at the beginning of January. Issues regarding the timely delivery of medicines, business and industry parts and legally required water samples are among the concerns being brought to legislators.
The delivery downgrade has come as USPS also studies the functionality of the Kingsford facility, proposing that it be modernized as a local processing center with some mail operations moved to Green Bay, Wis. The Kingsford evaluation, according to USPS, is part of a $40 billion investment strategy to upgrade and improve USPS processing, transportation and delivery.
The processing facility is the only one in the U.P. and the region's lawmakers say it's central to the timely processing and delivery of mail. The local postal workers union has called attention as well to changes that have resulted in mail delivery delays.
Public input about the Kingsford facility plan is being accepted by USPS at https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/mpfr-iron-mountain-mi.
In other action, the county board:
-- Heard Sheriff Scott Rutter report that a deputy will be sent for training to become a K-9 handler in May or August -- more likely August, as the county plans to have six recruits attend police academy training during May.
The county's introduction of K-9 program, aided by private donations, comes after Iron Mountain Police Department last week retired Falcon, a K-9 officer that had been on duty since 2015.
-- Approve Aug. 6 ballot language for a proposed three-year renewal of 0.4 mills, or 40 cents per $1,000 of taxable value, for the enhanced 911 system. The estimated revenue is $407,425 in 2025.
-- Directed $195,199 in passenger facility charge revenues at Ford Airport toward completed capital projects, including runway paving and lighting. Through the end of 2023, the PFC has generated about $250,000 in revenues since being introduced in early 2019.
-- Named Commissioner Barbara Kramer as county board liaison to the Kiwanis Ski Club.
-- Approved the posting and hiring of a victim advocate/witness coordinator in the prosecutor's office, as Connie Larson is retiring effective May 3. Also approved was the posting and hiring of a juvenile officer/caseworker position in probate court, due to an upcoming vacancy.
-- Approved an increase in part-time hours for a Friend of the Court clerical position, going from 19.5 hours to 29 hours per week.
-- Appointed Undersheriff Aaron Rochon to represent the county on the U.P. 911 Authority Board.
Jim Anderson can be reached at 906-774-3500, ext. 226, or janderson@ironmountaindailynews.com.