IRON MOUNTAIN — Kevin Pirlot was reappointed to the Northpointe Behavioral Health Board on Monday night in a 3-2 vote by the Dickinson County Board, signaling a willingness by commissioners to work through criticisms of the tri-county mental health agency that led to vague calls last week for a state investigation.

Also appointed to the Northpointe Board was Ralph Kramer, husband of Commissioner Barbara Kramer, who at a joint county meeting last Tuesday brought forward an 11-point list of “concerns” about Northpointe.

Barbara Kramer abstained from voting on her husband’s appointment, which was approved 3-1 with Commissioner John Degenaer Jr. voting no. Degenaer explained his vote was “for personal reasons,” though he didn’t doubt Ralph Kramer was qualified, given his decades of experience in the mental health field. Degenaer also called for a meeting with Northpointe to resolve any remaining issues as there is “bad blood and we need to get rid of it.”

Pirlot was supported by Degenaer, Chairman Henry Wender and Commissioner Joe Stevens, who offered a motion to give Northpointe support in trying to resolve a complicated issue involving crisis services in Menominee County. Michigan social workers who are not licensed in Wisconsin are currently prevented from providing services at the hospital in Marinette and there are a number of other hindrances to a solution, including differences in state mental health codes.

Steven’s motion passed unanimously.

Robert Roberge, a five-year member of the Northpointe Board, interviewed with the county board March 11 for reappointment but then withdrew.

Kramer and Commissioner Ann Martin voted against Pirlot.

“Three-two is a majority vote and we move on,” Kramer said, adding she accepts the results. Kramer also said her husband has “a lot to offer” to Northpointe and predicted he will “become an ally” to its mission.

Both Pirlot, the current Northpointe Board chair, and Northpointe CEO Jennifer Cescolini spoke at length to the county board, attempting to put key questions about finances and services to rest.

Northpointe is governed by a 12-member board, with five representatives each from Dickinson and Menominee counties and two from Iron County, each appointed by the respective county boards. Roughly 95% of the agency’s funding is federal. It provides services in Dickinson, Iron and Menominee counties for those with severe emotional, behavioral and/or intellectual/developmental disabilities and has offices in Kingsford, Iron River and Menominee.

Resolving the Menominee County services issue is a “monumental task,” Pirlot said, so cooperation and patience is needed to get it fixed.

He also noted he has yet to receive from Dickinson County “a copy of your concerns,” which makes it difficult to get differences settled.

Cescolini said Northpointe is subject to multiple audits and she has provided documentation on a number of issues, yet the agency seems to remain a target. She pointed to upcoming question-and-answer sessions in all three counties as an indication it’s open to any queries about its performance.