Serving Gogebic, Iron and Ontonagon Counties
Serving Gogebic, Iron and Ontonagon Counties
By TOM LAVENTURE
Bessemer — The Finance, Budgeting and Auditing Committee of the Gogebic County Board of Commissioners on Thursday considered a possible economic recovery opportunity.
During the committee meeting prior to the full board meeting, the discussion focused on a recommendation of the Michigan Economic Development Council to hire a county economic recovery coordinator.
The idea was one solution from meetings following the closure of the Ojibway Correctional Facility, said Juliane Giackino, county administrator. The MEDC would fund the position through a grant process of the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
Commissioner Joe Bonovetz said that before the county should consider the economic recovery coordinator position there should be some review of what similar services are already being provided by city and state economic development authorities and other resources. The goal should not be to duplicate what is already happening, but if it will help then it should be supported, he said.
Commissioner James Lorenso said that a decision of the county to recommend the coordinator position should come after MEDC provides a written proposal showing how the position would be funded.
In the regular meeting the board 7-0 approved an advertising bid request from Gogebic County Sheriff Pete Matonich, for a sheriff’s department truck. The purchase of a new truck and squad car is possible through USDA funding, he said.
Matonich said that in the interest of purchasing local if any competitive bids come in lower than the free and open market deal already in place he would award the truck bid to the local merchant. The squad car deal was already approved through a Lansing dealer who bids for state vehicles, he said.
The board approved a request to advertise a three-year board position opening with Gogebic County Transit Board. There are two board terms expiring for Robert Orlich and David Pawlak.
The board accepted a Dec. 11 letter from Nate Seely, the contracted real estate project assistant manager for Xcel Energy, regarding the transmission line rebuild project. The letter thanked the county for its cooperation with easements and other work through the construction phase of the W3629 and W3630 transmission line rebuild project that is now complete.