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After an opportunity for public comment, the Houghton City Council approved the 2021-22 budget unanimously Wednesday night. It begins on July 1st. Also accepted by the council was the 2021-2027 Capital Improvement Plan. Both documents were the subject of work sessions over the last several months.
During his manager’s report Eric Waara said that bids came in over budget for two paving projects. MDOT’s Small Urban program on East Houghton Avenue and local road work both were around three percent too high. Waara says extra paperwork should be enough to get the state work done, but for local roads they will have to be more creative.
Other measures passed by the council were of a businesslike nature. Resolution 2021-1799 paid out $177,782 for work completed during Phase II of the Water Systems Improvement project. Resolution 2021-1800 disbursed $133,330 related to sewer work. The 2021-22 budget for the Local Development Finance Authority, which oversees the MTEC SmartZone, was also approved.
A grant from the Portage Health Foundation was accepted to provide new equipment for the Houghton Fire Department’s Rapid Intervention Team. The city had to match the grant with $3,000. The Board of Review filled its open seat with the appointment of Mary Kaminski through 2022. She was one of two applicants for the spot.
