IRON MOUNTAIN — Dickinson County has yet to reach collective bargaining agreements with unionized employees for 2026, but Controller Brian Bousley said there should be no complications working under current contracts as talks go forward.

“We’re getting closer,” he said of negotiations that began months ago.

The county board had a public hearing Monday on a 2026 general fund budget totaling $13.75 million, up 3.5% from this year. Wages and benefits for current and retired county employees represent 69.58% of the spending plan.

Four-year collective bargaining agreements expire at the end of this year and the county wants to reach new three-year pacts.

There were no comments during the public hearing and the budget was adopted. Commissioner Joe Stevens was absent due to illness.

“It’s a balanced budget that’s working for us,” Bousley said.

Chairman Dan Harrington said there’s also room for adjustments as needed.

The millage rate for county operations remains at 6.1323 mills, or $6.13 per $1,000 of taxable value.

The board had planned a closed session on the contracts Monday, but Bousley said it was called off after a union representative had travel problems. The board’s next scheduled meeting is 9 a.m. Friday, Jan. 2 — its annual reorganizational session.

During citizens’ time, Bob Simon of Vulcan repeated his disappointment in the board’s decision to cancel funding for Michigan State University-Extension. In August, all commissioners but Stevens voted to reject a proposed $81,000 Dickinson County Extension allocation. A $40,000 compromise proposed by Stevens also failed, despite the presence of dozens of Extension supporters, including 4-H volunteers.

Simon on Monday suggested the county consider sharing Extension expenses with another county. The idea that MSU should be responsible for all Extension costs, as stated by some commissioners, is not realistic, he said.

“MSU’s endowment is not meant to cover county expenses,” he said.

Federal and state allocations are the main source of Extension funding, but counties give support through memorandums of understanding, plus in-kind contributions such as office space.

Commission Kevin Sullivan said it would be “nice for MSU to give back,” by not depending on county support.

There is no allocation for MSU Extension in the 2026 county budget and no request was filed, according to Bousley.

In other action, the county board:

— Heard Virginia Feleppa of Iron Mountain suggest commissioners return to having two regular meetings a month. The board began meeting once monthly in June. Since then, Feleppa said, a number of special meetings have also been needed.

— Approved a request from Northern Lights YMCA to hold a “February Freeze” ice water immersion event at Lake Antoine Park on Feb. 28. MJE Cares is conducting a fishing tournament at Lake Antoine on the same date.

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Jim Anderson can be reached at 906-774-2772, ext. 85226, or janderson@ironmountaindailynews.com.