Ontonagon board receives unexpected phone bill

By JAN TUCKER

[email protected]

Ontonagon — The Michigan Department of Corrections sent the Ontonagon County Board a telephone bill which in the past has been the responsibility of the State and the board is not happy about it.

County Clerk Stacy Preiss said the $172.36 bill is the first she has received and is designated by the Department of Corrections as supporting probation officers and personnel in the county. Preiss said the probation officer is an employee of the Department of Corrections.

Although the state has always paid the telephone bill, the notice sent with the bill indicated that counties have a “statutory obligation “ to be responsible for contractual services, supplies, materials and equipment costs supporting the services of probation officers.

Commissioner Gray Webber questioned some of the material justification when the state has been paying the bill all along. He said that since this cost could add nearly $3,000 to the county budget, he felt a better explanation should be made. The board agreed and will ask Prosecutor Michael Findley to examine the issue and tabled the bill.

Following a 28 minute closed session to consider the applicants for the new Ontonagon County Transit Director, the board agreed to offer the position to Melissa Walters. There were four applicants for the position which became vacant with the retirement of Vicki White.

The board also named John Cane as Vice Chairman of the Commission and reappointed Cathy Wainio to the Ontonagon County Planning Commission.

In other action the commission:

—Approved the $1,500 cost for 911 mapping and maintenance services.

—Updated the county Depositories for 2018.

—Set regular county meetings for the third Tuesday of each month.

—And approved a resolution to apply for state formula monies for the Ontonagon County Transit.