Houghton County receives clean bill of health on the 2024 audit, will conduct a wage study

Houghton County will conduct a wage study and has contracted Gallagher Firms. Houghton County’s last wage study was conducted back in 1996. Commissioner Roy Britz shared that the last time Houghton County performed an in-house wage study was around 2008.
Some adjustments were made. But it was just the county employees.
Commissioner Joel Keranen says that of the three possible firms the county could use, Gallagher appears to offer the best price for services provided. Keranen motioned for the board to approve Gallagher to conduct a wage study.
“…for the $38,000 listed on the report here. And I do have an engagement letter from Gallagher. So I would make that motion. – Joel Keranen, Houghton County Board of Commissioners
Houghton County Administrator Chelsea Rheault confirmed the county’s budget does have funds for a wage study after the board earmarked funding earlier in the year. Houghton County operations manager Theresa Hill says the county should receive results of the study 6 to 8 weeks after work begins.
During New Business, the board of commissioners heard presentations from Anderson, Tackman and Company, the Copper Country Mental Health Service executive director, and board members of the Copper Country Humane Society.
Anderson and Tackman shared with commissioners that Houghton County did receive a clean bill of health on the 2024 audit.
So the clean opinion is what you got for 2024. And that’s what everybody strives for. And again, you got a clean opinion on the audit for federal and state grants, too. So that’s good to make sure all of their boxes are checked. And everything is done in compliance with the grants. – Ken Talsma, of Anderson, Tackman and Co.
Auditor Ken Talsma says Anderson Tackman is nine years into tracking the county’s pension fund. In the past year, the county’s pension fund continued to grow with strong investments. Talsma adds that with expected overall growth in the stock market, Houghton County should surpass the state’s recommendation in the near future.
You’re still at 59 percent funded. The state’s happy place is 60 percent. So you’re almost there to that threshold. And I think you’ll break past it, based on the fact that the stock market is getting better. So that should help the fiduciary net position. – Ken Talsma
Houghton County has used Anderson Tackman and Company for audit services for several years. Finance committee members Glenn Anderson and Joel Keranen will meet with the administrative team to determine when Houghton County will need to begin work on the 2025 audit and if the county will use its option to continue work with Anderson Tackman and Company.
Mike Bach of Copper Country Mental Health Services also stopped by the board of commissioners meeting to request that Houghton County consider a resolution against privatizing mental health services. Bach says the Michigan Association of Counties has addressed a letter to Governor Gretchen Whitmer opposing MDHHS’ potential competitive procurement of Pre-paid inpatient health plans.  Public mental health service providers such as Copper Country Mental Health receive most of their funding from Medicaid.
Over 90 percent of patents. And for every dollar of Medicaid we get, about 65 cents comes from the federal government. So you basically have the federal and state governments funding the ten current PIHPs in the state through the Department of Health and Human Services. And they fund the 46 community mental health centers that serve our 83 counties across Michigan. – Mike Bach, Executive Director, Copper Country Mental Health
Bach will share the resolution draft with county administrator Chelsea Rheault. The Houghton County Board of Commissioners expects to consider the resolution at the August regular meeting.
Additional action saw the board of commission increase the impoundment fee Houghton County pays to the Copper Country Humane Society for providing shelter for animal control. The Houghton County Sheriff works with the Humane Society to house pets found lost in the community, and for pets caught by animal control. The fee also provides funds to support housing surrendered pets at the shelter. The Humane Society requested an increase in the impoundment fee from $22 per day to $30 per day. Sleeman noted the Humane Society has not come to the county to increase funds for several years, and costs to operate the shelter continue to rise. The increase in the fee amount will not exceed the contract’s $20,000 cap.
Throughout the year, the shelter has been a temporary home for dogs and cats that get lost on adventures. Most pets are reclaimed by owners, who pay the impoundment fee upon claiming their pet. Other animals residing at the shelter have been surrendered by families or owners unable to provide care for their pets. Some pets at the shelter have also been handled by sheriff deputies in nuisance animal cases. The Humane Society seeks to rehabilitate and help connect animals with new families.