County’s 9-1-1 surcharge might be grandfathered in

ESCANABA - Delta County Administrator Joseph Erickson presented an update Tuesday on new Michigan requirements which will impact the county. He also presented an update on the Brownfield Authority and Renaissance Zone at Tuesday's Delta County Board meeting.

Erickson said the state House had passed the 9-1-1 bill, with the bill now going before the Senate for approval.

"The bill caps the 9-1-1 surcharge at 42 cents per line, however Delta County, which charges 44 cents per line, will be grandfathered in the bill," he said.

He said the surcharge could be increased up to $3 by a referendum.

"It is the Michigan Association of Counties' hope the bill be approved by the Senate before the end of the year," said Erickson.

On the Brownfield Authority, Erickson said members of the local authority met Nov. 13. Members selected five firms to submit proposals to provide consulting services to the authority.

The five firms are U.P. Engineering, Coleman Engineering, STS Consultants, Wilcox Professional Services, and ECT/Bittner Engineering, said Erickson.

Erickson said Pete Van Steen of the Central U.P. Planning and and Development Regional Commission, who is also the Delta County Brownfield Authority project manager, will be responsible for responding to any questions, issues or additions concerning requests for proposals.

Erickson said the Michigan Association of Counties has recommended the Brownfield Authority members interview each of the five firms prior to awarding the bid.

"Pete (Van Steen) and I are working on scheduling interviews and drawing up questions to be presented to each firm representative who will be presented to the authority for the December meeting," he said.

Erickson said he attended a meeting where Lloyd Matthes of CUPPAD discussed two programs which could be applied to the Renaissance Zone - the Community Economic Development (CED) program through the Economic Development Authority and the Michigan Certified Business Park program.

"I have spoken with Lloyd to learn more about the program and what is involved in the application," said Erickson.

Erickson said the Certified Business Park program provided marketing assistance to business parks.

Currently there are no certified business parks in the Upper Peninsula, leaving Delta County to possibly become the first, Erickson said.