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Baraga County will turn to an outside contractor to provide medical assistance at the county jail. At last night’s board of commissioners meeting, Sheriff Joe Brogan explained that Advanced Correctional Health Care will bring medical professionals into the facility more often.
Jail officials will also have around-the-clock access by phone to a physician or physician assistant, to help diagnose and treat inmate medical conditions. The cost for the service will be around $59,000 per year. Brogan admitted that’s $9,000 over this year’s budget for medical services, but also said it’s $15,000 less than the actual amount spent last year. Medical services had been provided by physician assistant Nancy Herck from the Baraga County Memorial Hospital Physician Group, who had provided bi-weekly visits to the jail. After the meeting, Herck said she was disappointed that Brogan had not discussed the change with her before the meeting.
Baraga County has also joined a reciprocal law enforcement mutual aid program that includes other Upper Peninsula counties. Brogan said counties that need emergency assistance can request it from other members. No county is obligated to provide the service. Baraga County Equalization Director Patrick Osterman submitted his annual report, noting a 2% increase in assessed and taxable property values. That translates to an additional $59,000 in revenue this year. The board reappointed Sally Klaasen and Shirley Younggren to the Baraga County Extended Care Corporation Board. Commissioners also endorsed a legislative effort to extend terms on the county board from two years to four years.
