By JIM ANDERSON

The Daily News

IRON MOUNTAIN — Dickinson County Board opposes legislation that would establish a statewide code for septic systems, saying the issue is better left to local health departments.

After a brief discussion Monday, the board unanimously adopted a resolution to oppose a package of bills introduced in April but still lingering in House and Senate committees.

Septic systems dispose of wastewater at homes that aren’t hooked to municipal sewers. Along with ensuring septic tanks are inspected every five years, the bills would set up a database for inspections and a network to certify the inspectors.

The county board is concerned House Bills 4479 and 4480 and Senate Bills 299 and 300 would cause hardship for both citizens and local regulators. Commissioner Ann Martin described it as “an unfunded mandate” while Commissioner Joe Stevens said the legislation is “not good for counties.”

Sponsors point out that Michigan is the only state in the nation without a statewide septic code, though the board’s resolution notes Dickinson County follows the Upper Peninsula Environmental Health Code.

Norm Hess, executive director of the Michigan Association for Local Public Health, has acknowledged problems across the state with septic pollution problems. But he and others say public health departments don’t have enough personnel to keep up with the inspection schedule the legislation demands.

“Local health departments and their environmental health divisions are not adequately staffed to look at every septic system on a five-year rolling basis,” he told Bridge Michigan in May.

The state last year put $35 million into a financing program to help homeowners repair or replace old septic systems. Far more money would be needed for inspections and repairs if a new code is approved for roughly 1.4 million septic systems statewide.

Sponsors of the legislation are Sen. Sam Singh, D-East Lansing, and Rep. Phil Skaggs, D-East Grand Rapids.

In other action Monday, the county board:

— Heard Controller Brian Bousley report Ford Airport is planning for the possibility that SkyWest Airlines will introduce larger aircraft. On at least some flights SkyWest may switch to 70-passenger aircraft, up from the current 50 passengers, but no timetable has been set. One issue for the county is the need to staff additional security, Bousley said. SkyWest has reported 7,904 boardings in 2023 through June.

— Will await an update from Martin, who plans to question Dickinson County Library’s membership in both the Michigan Library Association and American Library Association. Martin, a liaison to the library board, summarized an email she received from a constituent concerned about the influence of Emily Drabinski, who took office as ALA president this month. According to nbcnews.com, the Montana State Library Commission voted earlier this month to leave ALA because Drabinski described herself as a “Marxist lesbian” in a social media post last year. Drabinski has acknowledged the tweet, since deleted, and in an interview with the Toledo Blade called her comments “an excited utterance” after her election as ALA president.

— Learned from Commissioner John Degenaer Jr. that the Dickinson County Fair plans to offer a “silent fair” tentatively on Aug. 31 for autistic and special needs children. Details will be announced, but the goal is to offer a one- or two-hour carnival experience that is sensory friendly, he said.