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Brad Dakota has been named as the new leader of the Baraga County Commission.
The second district commissioner and former KBIC tribal judge was elected last night to succeed Gale Eilola, who retired from the board at the end of last year. Dakota will serve a two-year term as chair.
District Three commissioner Craig Kent will serve a one-year term as vice-chair.
At last night’s meeting, commissioners set a special meeting for January 29th to name a replacement for District Five commissioner Chad Cichosz, who recently resigned after moving out of the district.
Interested candidates to fill the position should submit a letter of interest to the county clerk’s office as soon as possible. State law requires that the vacancy be filled by January 30th.
The person appointed will serve through 2026, at which time a candidate will be elected to serve the remaining two years of the term.
Commissioners decided to hold off on making this year’s committee assignments until the new board member is named.
In other action, former commissioner Eilola was appointed to serve as a community member on the Copper Country Mental Health Board. Bianco Plumbing and Heating was selected to replace the water heater at the county jail, at a cost of $15,500. The current, 27-year-old water heater is failing, and cannot be repaired.
Commissioners also agreed to advance $5,000 to the Western Upper Peninsula Planning and Development Region to cover start-up costs for the regional Materials Management Plan. That money will eventually be paid back through a state grant.
