County approves COVID-19 plan

By TOM LAVENTURE

[email protected]

Bessemer — The Gogebic County Board of Commissioners on Wednesday approved the county’s COVID-19 Preparedness and Response Plan.

The plan requires board approval and was approved unanimously. The plan is required by the state and is due by June 1.

The document presented by Juliane Giackino, county administrator, has four sections that include protective safety measures, employee benefits as they relate to COVID-19, employees with suspected or confirmed COVID-19 cases, and a business continuity plan in the event of illnesses.

Giackino, in her role as county administrator, works with department heads and elected officials to maintain adequate staffing levels to perform essential functions. She also assists with identifying alternate supply chains for critical goods and services in the event of a disruption.

The plan will remain in effect until further notice and may be updated as state and local orders related to the pandemic are issued or amended, according to the plan information.

The commission accepted the county audit for the fiscal year ending Sept. 30, 2019. The audit presentation came in the finance committee meeting prior to the regular meeting.

Joe Verlin, a certified public accountant and certified government financial manager with Grand Rapids-based Gabridge & Co., provided a virtual presentation and described the county’s general fund as in stable financial condition as well as the other fund balances. He said Gogebic County is among the top third of municipal clients in terms of revenue balance with small surpluses in fund balances that demonstrate sound budget management.

In other business, the commission approved:

—A $150,000 transfer from the Delinquent Tax Revolving Fund to the Gogebic County Trail Fund to pay the upfront costs provided by Coleman Engineering. The amount transferred will be repaid by the state once the funds are expended.

—A finance committee recommendation to release $8,235 from liquor excise tax funds to the North Care Network for susbstance abuse programming.

—An Economic Development and Capital Improvements Committee recommendation to pursue bids and compare costs for either a traditional or metal roof on the lower garage of the Natural Resources Center building.

—Accepting the Community Mental Health Authority Board bylaws that were approved without changes at its annual organization meeting on April 28.