The Baraga County Board of Commissioners has called a special meeting for Tuesday evening.

There are two action items on the agenda, appointment to the Baraga County Road Commission, and consideration of a retirement plan for county commissioners.

“Oh, I’m in favor of it,” Commissioner Mike Koskinen said.

The proposed plan is only for commissioners who have served more than 20 years. There are no amounts proposed yet, according to Koskinen. Koskinen has served as a commissioner for more than 40 years, but lost his seat to Will Wiggins in November’s election.

Koskinen said Tuesday’s discussion would be about amounts, and whether the commission wants to move forward with a retirement plan at all.

“I don’t think that’s going to pass,” Commissioner Bill Menge said. “That’s my guess.”

This will be the last meeting for Menge, who has served on the board for 16 years. He said he enjoyed the time he spent on the board of commissioners. He said he won’t video call into the meeting, but may use the telephone.

Commissioner Dan Robillard said that while Houghton County Commissioners have access to a retirement plan through the Municipal Employees Retirement System (MERS) that requires a contribution, Baraga County commissioners currently do not, and there have been no contributions to a retirement on their behalf. He said he doesn’t think the county should write commissioners “a blank check”.

“Me, myself, I’m not going to agree to that,” Robillard said.

He said he doesn’t think the people of Baraga County would, either.

Koskinen is also among those who submitted a letter of interest for the Baraga County Road Commission opening.

Harold J. Miron, the current vice chair of the road commission, is seeking another term in his role with support from the chair, Nicholas Lindemann.

Bill Paquet also submitted a letter of interest.

The meeting will be held at 5 p.m. through Zoom, meeting ID 828 4649 1898. You can also join by phone at 1-312-626-6799 with the meeting ID.