Ben Garbacz/Daily Mining Gazette Fom left, Brad Dakota, James Niemela, Lee DeLeon, Craig Kent and Bill Menge spoke about reaching out to Ontonagon County to discuss sharing the position of a 911 Director and Emergency Manager. The position has been filled in the meantime by the Baraga County Sheriff and Undersheriff.

L’Anse — The Baraga County Board of Commissioners approved amendments to the Fiscal Year 2026 Indigent Defense Contract and approved jury commission appointments during its meeting Monday. The Michigan Indigent Defense Commission (MIDC) recommended Houghton County to be responsible for Tri-County Public Defenders cost of independent medical and psychiatric evaluations for the benefit of defense. Baraga County Clerk Wendy Goodreau said it was Tri-County Public Defenders responsibility before, but the MIDC requested the change.

“This is something that we split between the other two counties, Houghton and Keweenaw Counties,” Board Chairman Brad Dakota said. “I think it’s probably more economically feasible to do it that way. You have to provide a defense to an indigent person when they’re in court and they don’t have the money to pay for it, that’s what makes them indigent. You’ve got to have a contract with an entity like this to fill that in.” Another change to the contract made was simple housekeeping according to Goodreau, with a correction to a date.

The board also approved Richard Johnson, Shelley Soli and Jay Elmblad’s appointments to six-year terms for the Jury Commission expiring on April 30, 2031. The three appointees were recommended by 12th Circuit Court Judge Brittany Bulleit. Snow removal bids were also awarded to Kco Site Development. Kco was the only bid made, and sat at $47 for the courthouse, $52 for the jail and $27 for the Administration Building. The amount for the courthouse was the only price to rise from last year in the amount of $2.

The board then had a discussion regarding a replacement for the 911 Director and Emergency Manager position. Jeff Hubbard retired from this position in the fall and since the Baraga County Sheriff and undersheriff have filled the position. The tasks however take up too much of the sheriff and undersheriff’s time and the county will be seeking to fill the position. The board is considering reaching out to Ontonagon County and seeing if the two counties could team up to share the position. Commissioner Craig Kent said teaming up with Ontonagon County makes sense due to its already established connections.

“It might make a lot of sense dealing with Ontonagon County with [our] hospital doing so much with Ontonagon County residents and how we’ve coordinated that,” Kent explained.