L'ANSE - Baraga County will continue to have its 911 service through Negaunee Regional Dispatch Center through at least Sept. 30, temporarily putting to rest a heated debate within the county.
Lora Osterman, 911 committee director, informed the Baraga County Board of Commissioners during Monday's regular meeting of the committee's decision.
"The committee agreed to finish up this year with Negaunee and then we will take it up at a later time ... but right now we are already five months into the contract," she said. "It would take at least six months to make a change anyway."
Osterman had originally advised both the committee and the county board to take the decision slowly, but heated exchanges at December's regular board meeting resulted in an immediate decision to transfer county 911 service to Iron County. It was then announced at January's regular meeting that the decision violated bylaws.
Now, more research can be done, which county representatives hope will result in a more agreeable decision one way or the other.
"So everyone's taking your advice and they're moving slowly with this?" County Board Chair Michael Koskinen asked.
"I sure hope so," Osterman responded.
In other action, the board:
approved a request from Baraga County Road Commission Engineer Doug Mills to support a two-mill tax renewal to be put on the May 8 ballot, "for the purpose of providing tax money with which to make necessary improvements and construction of primary and local roads in the County Road System." Koskinen emphasized it is simply a renewal, not a new tax.
approved a Michigan State Housing Development Authority grant amendment that would change a housing rehabilitation grant term from Dec. 31, 2011, to June 30, 2012, due to the short building season, which has slowed progress.
approved another MSHDA grant totaling $125,000, and a state of Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs remonumentation grant for $43,163.
approved Daniel Whitman's three-year appointment to the Baraga County Memorial Hospital Board of Trustees following the resignation of Arthur Allert.
approved a memorandum of agreement with the Western Upper Peninsula Substance Abuse Service Coordinating Agency and Assessment Service.
approved a letter on behalf of the county to request that all Baraga County post offices remain open, after commissioner Gale Eilola made the suggestion, specifically about Pelkie.