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Dickinson looks to hire consultant for stimulus spending

IRON MOUNTAIN — Dickinson County will hire a national accounting firm to help oversee its $4.9 million share of American Rescue Plan Act funding.

ARP is a $1.9 trillion economic stimulus bill signed into law March 11 by President Joe Biden. Local governments have until the end of 2024 to make spending commitments and the end of 2026 to use the money.

Some local governments have turned to consultants to ensure compliance with the law’s rules on spending. In Dickinson County’s case, Controller Brian Bousley has recommended CliftonLarsonAllen LLP, which currently has a contract to conduct the county’s budget audits.

“They’re nationwide and it’s a pay-as-you-go proposal,” Bousley told the county board Monday.

Fees for the ARP consulting could range from $75 to $250 an hour, depending on the level of expertise and research, Bousley said, adding the cost can be paid out of the funding itself.

Among other uses, ARP funds can help offset negative economic effects of the COVID-19 pandemic or pay for necessary water, sewer or broadband infrastructure, according to the National Association of Counties.

Dickinson County has received a federal payment of $2.45 million, representing one-half of its allocation, and has placed the money in an interest-bearing account as it researches appropriate uses.

Bousley said he has five projects in mind that he’ll discuss with the board before approaching the consultant. He described the funding as “probably once-in-a-lifetime money.”

The board, in a related matter, adopted a resolution from the Michigan Association of Counties urging the state to use $4 billion of its ARP funds to match local spending.

In other action Monday, the county board:

≤ Agreed to make a one-time $22,000 building loan payment for the Dickinson County Fair. Although the fair board is able to make the payment, the assistance will help on other issues, including a new grandstand roof. Extra spending also had to be done this year for electrical problems in the exhibition building, a new entrance gate and a fence around Norway Speedway, Commissioner John Degenaer Jr. said. Most 2020 fair events were canceled because of the pandemic, but attendance at this year’s fair totaled 44,000, he said.

≤ Received the 2021 Apportionment Report from Matthew Baumgartner, equalization director, showing a $17.8 million — or 2% — gain in taxable value in the county. This should mean an additional $112,000 in operating revenues for the county budget, he said.

≤ Authorized the Dickinson County Library Board to levy 0.8988 mills for the upcoming budget year. This is a decline of 0.0002 mills from the current rate, with the fractional cut due to Michigan’s Headlee Amendment limitation on tax revenues.

≤ Learned that Mike Ghere will begin training to seek appointment as county mine inspector after Steve Smith retires in 2022. A resolution will be prepared to recognize Smith’s exemplary service, board members said.

≤ Agreed to post a position for Lake Antoine Park office manager for the 2022 season at a pay rate of $13.50 per hour.

≤ Authorized wage studies for the controller’s office and the equalization and courthouse grounds and parks departments. These are the only employee groups yet to receive an independent compensation review by MGT Consulting Group of Bay City. Bousley pointed out he did not request a controller’s review.

≤ Reappointed Winnie Fornetti to a three-year term on the Department of Human Services Board and William Cummings to a five-year term on the Library Board.

≤ Reappointed Alan Perla to four-year term on the Veterans Affairs Board by a 3-2 vote over applicant Kim Mainville. Commissioner Ann Martin and Chairman Henry Wender voted for Mainville.

≤ Agreed to have Degenaer oversee creation of a Dickinson County flag that can be displayed at the fairgrounds and possibly other places.

≤ After reviewing maps, approved a request from the Tri-County Snowmobile Club to use a section of county property to accommodate a snowmobile trail at the northwest end of Indiana Mine Road near the Fumee Lake Natural Area. The change alters nothing in the Fumee Lake trail and is only for snowmobiles, club representative Mike Harper said.

≤ Learned that Ford Airport has had 10,931 year-to-date passenger boardings through the end of September.

≤ At the request of Commissioner Barbara Kramer, observed a moment of silence in memory of former U.S. Rep. Daniel Benishek, a Republican from Crystal Falls who served three terms in the U.S. House.

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