L’Anse — The Baraga County Board met Monday to approve the Cost Participation Agreement from the MSP State Disaster Contingency Fund in the amount of $250,000. The funds will go towards damages the county sustained from the flash flood in mid May. The agreement will allow the county use the funds to assist with road repair work. The agreement stated work includes labor, equipment and material cost for emergency response and road repair and permanent road work performed on or after May 15, 2025 under the direction of the Road Commission. The agreement also states the county will provide the funds to the road commission for reimbursement of eligible costs.

The board also approved to pay $150 for renewed membership of the Baraga County Convention and Visitors Bureau. Commissioner Craig Kent wanted the board to know the bureau board had discussions on management of the local cross country ski trail system. “Some members of the board would like to do away with that cross country ski trail system altogether, because of the cost on the grooming and the snowmobile event,” Kent said.

He said the issue is related to a trail groomer which needs replacement. Kent said the bureau board opted to not participate in grant monies and a local doctor offered to pay for part of the cost, but that was rejected. Kent explained he brought up the issue because he would like to see influence to support the trail. “I just brought it up to make note to everybody that there’s the possibility that we could lose that cross country ski trail, and a lot of it is from our own lack of support community wise,” Kent said.

In other action, the board approved its annual Municipal Employees’ Retirement System of Michigan’s Retiree Health Funding Vehicle payment in the amount of $20,000. County Clerk Wendy Goodreau explained this was to stay in compliance with the Department of Treasury with retirement and post employment benefit which is a three year health insurance post retirement.

“We are required to put $20,000 away in a savings account,” Goodreau said. “So we have to do that annually for the next seven years to stay in compliance with the Department of Treasury.”

Bills the board approved to pay at the meeting included the Baraga County Memorial Hospital trustee per diem for $990, the county commissioner and department bills for $27,449.03, prepaid bills for $453,328.82 and the Sheriff Department commissary checking account in the amount of $9,900.87.