League of Women Voters speaks up for jail
Proposes resolution regarding ballot language
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HOUGHTON -- At the regular August meeting of the Houghton County Board of Commissioners, Houghton County Jail Committee Co-Chair Faith Morrison proposed a resolution to define the November $28 million jail bond proposal in plain language.
The resolution detailed eight specific project goals, including a 60-inmate capacity, a new facility site and upgraded operational spaces. The proposal aims to address public feedback by clarifying that the Sharon Avenue site will be used for a facility designed to meet Department of Corrections standards, specifying that at least 60 housing beds would be included in the baseline jail plans.
As a follow-up to that initial resolution, Resolution 26-18, Morrison announced she has submitted a draft resolution titled "Addendum #1" for the County Board to consider at its Sept. 15 meeting.
According to the draft resolution, the purpose of Addendum #1 is to explicitly commit the county board to the minimum capacity of the housing spaces in the proposed jail that will appear on the November ballot. The proposed addendum specifies that the minimum number of beds will be increased to 70.
The reason for this proposed resolution, Morrison said, is to share the board's concrete plans for the facility with the public as soon as a final decision is reached.
In conversations with Houghton County Sheriff Josh Saaranen, Morrison noted it has become clear that the sheriff has serious concerns that a 60-bed build will be too small to address Houghton County's operational needs for the next 40 years--the lifespan the proposed new jail is expected to serve the county.
Morrison said she believes that if the board is moving toward a larger jail, it should inform the public sooner rather than later of its intentions for the size of the facility, as well as its underlying reasons.
"A great deal is being asked of the public on Nov. 3," Morrison said, adding that she urges the county board to be as specific as they possibly can be about their intentions for the future jail’s housing capacity and structural footprint so that the public can weigh the pros and cons prior to the election.
The League of Women Voters of the Copper Country (LWVCC) has officially endorsed the 2026 jail millage. On August 18, 2026, the LWVCC board discussed the jail millage at great length, according to Morrison. Following the discussion, the LWVCC board voted unanimously to support the measure.
The LWVCC website outlines the organization’s official position, stating it supports the construction of a new Houghton County Jail building to replace the existing facility. The league advocates for adequate facilities designed for functional, cost, and energy-efficient operations in compliance with state administrative rule requirements, as set forth in the Rules for Jails, Lockups and Security Camps.
The LWVCC also supports comprehensive planning to include the spatial needs of the offices currently housed in the historic Courthouse, including administrative offices, the courts, the administrative offices of the Sheriff’s Department, and the jail itself, the website states.