Houghton County & City Remain At Odds Over Tax Capture

The squabble over tax capture plans continue between Houghton County and the City of Houghton.

At their June meeting, the County Board of Commissioners voted to send a letter to the city opposing the extension of the DDA and TIFA plans, which helps finance projects in Houghton’s downtown and business district.

Only Commissioner Scott Ala, who represents the city on the board, voted against sending the letter.

The plans were extended at the Houghton City Council’s June 22nd meeting and the Board’s letter was read at the meeting.

Ala shared Houghton City Manager Eric Waara’s complaint about the letter with the board at Tuesday’s regular meeting, pointing out that there are numerous tax capture plans throughout the county but only the city received such a letter.

In other business, the board adopted a resolution regarding the use of Excessive Force by local law enforcement and a Fair Housing Certification.

The moves only serve to bring the county into compliance with federal regulations were not related to any specific incident.

Houghton County Sherriff Brian McLean said there has only been about four complaints from private citizens over the last 30 years of using excessive force in his department.