By GARRETT NEESE

gneese@mininggazette.com

HOUGHTON – A six-year renewal of the millage for the Houghton County Medical Facility will go to the voters.

The Houghton County Board of Commissioners voted to place the millage on the August primary ballot, after tabling the issue to consider shortening the millage.

The proposed millage is for 2.5531 mills for six years, as recommended by the county’s Department of Human Services Board prior to February’s meeting. About 70 percent of Houghton County voters approved the same millage in 2010.

County Board Chairman Albert Koskela said the board had considered a two-year millage because it might allow the board to be more responsive to changes in state or federal aid.

“That was just a suggestion,” Koskela said.

The board’s vote was 4-0, with Vice Chairman Tim Palosaari absent. After the motion was carried, there was loud applause from the large crowd, which had necessitated a move from the board room to a courtroom.

Residents commended the board for its decision.

“Government is of the people, by the people and for the people … I thank you for following through on the Constitution and enabling the people to vote on this,” said Bob Langseth.

Jon Ollila said the facility would be vital to an aging population. In 1970, he said, there were 4,744 county residents 65 and older; by 2010, that had grown to 5,476. The effect was even more pronounced with residents 80 and over: 978 in 1970, 1,443 in 2010.

At a special meeting to discuss the millage last month, Commissioner Anton Pintar said there had been private discussion among unspecified members of the board of privatizing the facility. That would be a mistake, said Alex Mayer, who pointed to Michigan’s checkered history with privatization, such as with prisons.

Gerald Perreault, who spent 14 years as a county commissioner, said he had heard the same rumors about privatization.

“That facility is excellent. They’ve done a great job,” he said. “I’ve had friends and relatives over there over the years, and I have no complaints about the facility at all. I think it’s one of the best in the area. I thank you for voting to allow us the right to vote.”