ESCANABA — The Delta County Board of Commissioners voted on compensation for recently-selected county officials during the board’s meeting Tuesday.

After a series of interviews, the board chose Michael Silverman of Caro, Mich., to serve as Delta County’s next administrator last week. In a Nov. 1 meeting of the county’s finance committee, Interim County Administrator Tom Sabor was directed to offer Silverman a salary of $89,000 with a ceiling of $90,000.

“I did offer the ($89,000), and he countered with $98,000,” Sabor said.

Commissioner David Rivard said he would like to use a “step-type process,” in which Silverman would be hired at a lower rate and his salary would be increased over time.

“The gentleman’s got some talents that we need, and we’ve got to get going,” Rivard said.

Sabor said he felt it may make more sense to simply offer Silverman the $98,000 outright.

“If he’s going to end up with the same type of salary anyway, you might as well give it to him now,” he said.

However, he noted this would ultimately be the board’s decision.

After further discussion, the board agreed to offer Silverman a starting salary of $92,000. This would increase by $3,000 after Silverman reaches the three-month and six-month marks in the position of county administrator.

“Basically, within six months, he’s going to be earning $98,000,” Sabor said.

Sabor said he would approach Silverman with the offer after the meeting.

“I would suggest that, as a precaution, you set a special meeting for Thursday … if he doesn’t accept, then I have to come back to you,” he said.

Other elements of Silverman’s compensation package, including vacation time, would be identical to the package provided to former county administrator Philip Strom. His proposed contract with the county was based on former administrator Ryan Bergman’s contract; however, Silverman would have to give 60 days notice before leaving instead of 30 days.

A salary for Delta County Airport Manager Andrea Nummilien was officially set during Tuesday’s meeting, as well. Nummilien was hired to fill the airport manager position last month.

“I offered her a salary of $52,000 with incremental steps of $2,000 and $3,000 in year two and three,” Sabor said.

According to Sabor, $52,000 is an average salary for an airport manager with one to four years of experience.

The board was also in favor of having the county treasurer issue Nummilien a county credit card. The card’s limit will be $5,000.

In other business, the board:

– heard multiple complaints from area residents regarding the Delta Conservation District’s management of the Delta County Forest. This will be included on the agenda for the board’s next meeting.

– rescheduled its Nov. 19 meeting to Nov. 25.

– agreed to provide $631,000 in funding as a match for a $6,652,000 grant that will fund runway reconstruction and other work at Delta County Airport. The match will be eventually reimbursed by the state and a Passenger Facility Charge fund, Sabor said.

– gave Sabor authority to sign a contract for a remonumentation grant of approximately $79,000.

– denied MSU Extension’s request for $6,000 annually for rent at Bay College.

– authorized the filling of a building/trades technician position, along with the hiring of a temporary part-time housekeeper at the Delta County Courthouse.

– agreed to post a felony intake clerk position in the prosecutor’s office.

– okayed lump sum payout requests for Adam Hongisto and Kelly Chandler. The board also accepted John Weber’s retirement, okayed his lump sum payout request and agreed to send a letter thanking him for his years of service to the county.

– re-appointed Sally Schultz and Sharyn Caszatt to the Board of Canvassers.

– appointed Sara LaMarch to the Pathways Board.

– passed a resolution in support of legislation that would establish four-year terms for county commissioners.

– voted in favor of proclaiming Jan. 26 – Feb. 1, 2020 as School Choice Week in Delta County.

– heard an apportionment report from Equalization Director Juli Kolbe.

– reviewed corrections that have taken place at the airport in response to its FAA inspection.