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MANISTIQUE--The Schoolcraft County Board of Commissioners approved the language for a millage request from the Schoolcraft County Conservation District at its meeting Thursday.
Conservation District Manager Bruce Birr said the millage request is needed because a previous request failed in the August 2017 election. The district will ask for .22 mils, about $78,000 annually, beginning in 2018 for 10 years. He added the conservation office would implement larger and more effective projects should the millage be passed. The request is expected to go before voters in August, if not sooner.
The board also approved leasing a copier and a folder/stuffer to be used primarily for tax bills. The county had previously contracted with the company Manatron for the service, but decided to bring managing tax bills in-house. Cost of the copier/printer is $182.21 per month for 60 months and $244.94 for the folder/stuffer over a five-year contract. Fees the county charges townships for tax billing services will fund the new equipment. Dulcee Ranta, equalization department director, said the department would be able to insert newsletters along with the tax bills if a township wanted to send out other information.
"We would just pass on the charges that we incur," she said.
In other action:
– The Schoolcraft County Airport will have a new maintenace truck soon. The board approved the purchase of a 2018 Ford F150 for $24,379. Funding for the vehicle will come from DTR funds, swamp tax revenue, restricted funds and airport revenues from fuel sales.
It also approved renewing a lease with LMAS Health Department for office space in the courthouse. The rent was increased from $15.31 per square foot to $16.11.
– The board named several people to county committees. Marilyn Fisher, of Gulliver, was reappointed as county historian. Craig Reiter and Robert Barr will continue to serve on the Hiawatha Behavioral Health Board. All are three-year terms.
– The board also received a letter from Alan Barr of Schoolcraft Tourism & Commerce asking the county's Economic Development Corporation (EDC) be dissolved. Schoolcraft Tourism & Commerce evolved from the EDC when voters turned down a millage request to keep it operating in 2016. At that time, Barr was the acting director.
"I don't get why they are so worried about this. They are already their own non-profit 501C-3. Just because we don't want it now, but we might in the future." Commissioner Chris Rantanen said.
Board Chair Larry Mersnick said the county would not take any action until its attorney reviews the request. The matter was tabled.