Serving Gogebic, Iron and Ontonagon Counties
Serving Gogebic, Iron and Ontonagon Counties
By P.J. GLISSON
Hurley — Members of the Iron County Board of Supervisors passed the county’s 2024 budget on Tuesday evening.
Projected expenditures for general government and all other operations total nearly $18 million, with slightly more than $12 million covered by revenues other than property taxes.
Hence, the tax levy for 2023 — which will be collected next year — will be $5,656,748. That will result in a 2024 millage rate of $4.32 per every $1,000 of assessed property.
Board members Kurt Wolff and Karen Lauer voted against the motion to approve the budget.
Prior to the vote, Wolff started — and continued to feed — an extended discussion about the need for ongoing fiscal accountability.
Wolff said the county has been fortunate to have benefitted from “good things” such as federal allotments from COVID-19, along with additional funds from other sources like a national opioid settlement.
Nevertheless, he warned that board members should not get too comfortable with windfalls. “We would have needed a 12% levy without the good money,” he said. “I don’t feel we can go to the public with a 12% levy every year and expect them to say ‘good job.’”
Wolff said the board should work within reasonable boundaries that can be “sustainable” even if windfalls disappear.
Lauer agreed. “We have to know what the budget is before we even budget,” she said, adding that each department should keep its own statistics, which the board should review on a regular basis.
Brandon Snyder added that the board should know what expenses are really required in each department.
Other board members pointed out that managing costs is not without complications.
Regarding the general public and ongoing needs such as road repairs, Thomas Thompson Jr. said, “They want everything done right now. It all costs money.”
“We’ve dealt with 8 to 9% inflation for the last couple years,” said Scott Erickson. “That’s been a killer.” He added that interest on the county’s loan to pay off the rebuilding of Saxon Harbor rose from 2% to 4%.
Larry Youngs said the cost of highway equipment has skyrocketed.
Erickson also mentioned the cost of approving substantial, recent raises for county employees. He commended Wolff for his perspective, but added, “On the other side of it, we’ve got to keep employees.”
Former County Clerk Michael Saari, who was in the audience, added that the county budget will continue to rise because of raises that he suggested have been too generous. “You guys are going to have to pay for that,” he said.
But he also claimed in relation to another pending national windfall, “If the carbon credits come through, you guys will be OK.”
“It should be fun money, not money to balance the budget,” said Karl Krall of the carbon credits, which will be issued as a reward for responsible forestry management. In relation to budgetary management, he later added, “There’s lots of ways to trim from the fat.”
Interim County Clerk Cristan Brandt suggested setting up a workshop, during which an analysis of changing costs for each department could be studied.
Wolff said he’d like to see information regarding each department’s required expenses and written accounts of why costs may rise from one year to the next.
Jamey Francis agreed that the board should “set the bar,” adding, “I think the numbers need to be reconciled from year to year with forecasts and projections.”
“Let’s all work on this,” said Chairman Joe Pinardi. “I think we all agree there’s a lot of work we need to do.” He suggested that the board begin to tackle the issue at the start of the new year, so that the county stays on track as it progresses toward the 2025 budget.
The board also:
—Learned from Youngs that Oct. 30 was the last day of work for Mike Swartz, who retired as highway commissioner. “He did a good job,” said Youngs. “He should be commended for that.”
—Voted to approve the Iron County Forestry Work Plan for 2024. Wolff commended the level of detail within the plan.
—Voted to authorize the submission of grant applications in relation to administering the Iron County Forest in 2024.
—Voted to hire a contract employee for county snowplowing.
Unless otherwise indicated, all votes at Tuesday’s meeting were unanimous with Josiah Hewitt absent. Due to the Sept. 28 passing of Board Member John Sendra, his seat is now vacant.
Pinardi, who requested a moment of silence in honor of Sendra, informed the board that he will not appoint someone to the open seat because it will be filled soon during spring elections in 2024.
The board’s next regular meeting will be on Nov. 28 at 6 p.m. in the county board room at the Iron County Courthouse in Hurley.
