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The Houghton County Board of Commissioners met Tuesday afternoon to review the sale of two lots at the airport that would eventually become the location of the Copper Island Academy. Airport Manager Dennis Hext rejoined the gathering to discuss the item specifically.
It was approved. The two lots had been up for sale for seven years. Power and water are already delivered. Gas, sewer, and internet would still need to have infrastructure built out.
Administrator Ben Larson appealed to the board for three budget amendments. The most notable would be repairs of the dam at Twin Lakes. Larson also talked about the financial performance of the marina last summer.
Larson said downstate visitors didn’t bring their boats as often as prior years. Travel was up and the hotels were full, but it was more spur of the moment than long-term planning.
Earlier in the meeting, Commissioner Gretchen Janssen updated the board on recent committee work. The Planning Commission approved a letter of support for improvements at the Douglass Houghton Falls.
Commissioner Roy Britz spoke on local law enforcement matters. Eighty percent of the Sheriff’s Department has been vaccinated against COVID-19. The department was awarded a grant for a new snowmobile and trailer. Britz also mentioned the lifesaving awards for Philip Helminen, Brian Lasanen, and Anthony Lampanen and the ceremony that occurred last Friday. For 2020, the County averaged 72 calls per day between EMS, fire, and law enforcement. Britz said that the purchase of new vehicles remains difficult.
Commissioner Tom Tikkanen provided an update on the recreation department. Airport Manager Dennis Hext said the number of boardings fell by roughly 50 percent compared to 2019, which is roughly in line with national trends. Hext says that means airfare is currently very affordable to try and spur business.
