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Progress continues toward Houghton County’s purchase of a site for a potential new criminal justice center.
Yesterday, the county Board of Commissioners accepted a $1.28 million appraisal for the site on Sharon Avenue, currently owned by First Apostolic Lutheran Church. A conditional agreement has been reached with Portage Township to annex the property to the City of Houghton. If no new jail is built on the site within nine years, the property will return to the township.
State law requires that the sheriff’s department be located with the boundaries of the county seat.
Commissioners approved a pay increase for Houghton County Memorial Airport manager Dennis Hext. The boost is the first in many years, and brings his compensation into line with that of other airport managers in the region.
Commissioners thanked Kevin Codere for his service on the board. Codere was appointed last summer to fill out the term of late second district commissioner Albert Koskela. He did not run in the November election, and will be succeeded by Joel Keranen.
A number of committee assignments were confirmed at yesterday’s meeting. Glenn Anderson and James Henault were reappointed to the Land Bank Authority. John Larson and Allan Aho will remain on the County Planning Commission. Steve Palosaari will continue to represent Houghton County with the U.P. State Fair committee, and Dylan Malone will fill the role of first responder on the 911 committee.
