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ESCANABA -- Several requests and proposals related to Delta County's 2017-18 budget and 2017 winter tax bill were decided by the Delta County Board of Commissioners during its regular meeting Tuesday. The county's 2017-18 fiscal year begins Oct. 1.
Among the items voted on was the county's 2017-18 budget itself. Delta County Administrator Ryan Bergman gave board members an overview of the proposed budget in mid-August. The budget was approved as presented by the board at the meeting -- including assessing millages previously approved by the voters.
The board voted to assess a correctional facility millage (levied at 0.835 mills) to this year's winter tax bill. Delta County Equalization Director Juli Kolbe said this winter's tax bill will otherwise be the same as last winter's.
"Really, the only change is we're adding the jail on that," she said.
The board levied a millage for the Delta Solid Waste Management Authority (DSWMA) at its previously-established rate of 0.3 mills this winter. DSWMA Manager Don Pyle said this millage, which will be levied for the second time in 2017, has already had a positive effect on the DSWMA.
"We've been able to do some very good things with that," he said. He noted, thanks to the millage, the DSWMA has been able to do major work on its baler system, replace steel wheels on its garbage-packing machine, and purchase an additional truck. In the coming years, the authority plans to set aside money to put towards improvements to its recycling center.
The 911 Authority millage will also be levied at its previously-established rate. While this millage can be levied at up to 0.75 mills, it will once again be levied at 0.2 mills on this winter's tax bill.
Board Chair David Rivard said he was happy to be able to levy this millage at less than its maximum amount this winter.
"We make a commitment to the folks -- if we don't need all the money, we're not going to take it," he said.
In other business, the board:
– approved multiple motions tied to the ongoing correctional facility construction project. These included motions related to a guaranteed maximum price amendment for Miron Construction, the establishment of a process for approving payments and change orders, and two series of bond authorizing resolutions.
– voted in favor of approving a contract extension with the courthouse union after discussing the issue in executive session. The extension includes a 2 percent raise and a one-time payment of $1,500 for all courthouse union employees. It also calls for the elimination of three permanent positions through attrition, which Bergman said will save the county hundreds of thousands of dollars over the next decade.
– voted to close the Service Center Debt Fund and move the $20,000 in the fund to the General Fund.
– made appointments to the Building Authority and the Remonumentation Peer Group.
– approved a request to sponsor Hope at the Inn's application for a 2 percent grant from the Hannahville Indian Community.
– authorized a search for a new county plumbing and mechanical inspector.
– approved out-of-county travel for commissioners to the Upper Peninsula Association of County Commissioners' Fall Conference at the Island Resort and Casino on Oct. 19 and 20.