Baraga County Vice-Chairman Brad Dakota (right) thanks Chairman Gale Eilola (left) for the service he had provided to the county for 30 years with a placard. Eilola will be soon retiring, but said he will still be involved in the community. (Ben Garbacz/Daily Mining Gazette )

The Baraga County Board of Commissioners held its regular monthly meeting on Monday evening. The meeting began with the approvals of bills including Baraga County Memorial Health Trustee Per Diem November’s cost of $1,290, the County Commissioner and Department bills of $68,229, prepaid accounts amounting to $723,957.67 and the Sheriff Dept. checking account of $18,390.09.

The board then went on to accept the resignation of District 5 Commissioner Chad Cichosz, and then to an issue regarding the Baraga County Courthouse. The elevator within the courthouse is not up to date with current standards. In order to modernize the elevator discussions must be made on three possible options for repairs, though the options will not be considered until another discussion is held on the additional costs not mentioned in the elevator proposal including electrical work, plumbing and fire compliance. The elevator renovation was decided to be discussed on a future special meeting.

The board then approved a motion to share the funding of the 97th District Court Administrator with Baraga covering 7% of the salary with benefits. Baraga County has also approved the contract for Phase III of the Point Abbaye project. The initial plan for Point Abbaye has its costs covered under a grant the county had received, and the state has given the approval for the county to proceed with the drawings of the next step.

The board then agreed to change the position of Chairman Gale Eilola’s place on the Copper Country Mental Health Services to a community member position. This is due to Eilola retiring from the Board of Commissioners, of which his service since March 5, 1992, was acknowledged as he was presented with a placard.

“In his many years of service, [Gail] has faithfully executed the duties of county commissioner for the first district, serving as both vice chairman and chairman for several years,” Vice-Chairman Brad Dakota said. “And whereas Gale Eilola has served with integrity, thoughtfulness and a true commitment to public service.”

Eilola’s duties with the board will cease on Dec. 31, though Eilola said he will continue to serve the community in other groups and ways.

The meeting then proceeded with the news that Baraga County will not accept the land donation from the Marcus Ladd Trust. The board then concluded its meeting by approving to oppose changes to State Health Insurance Program and Medicare Improvements for Patients and Providers. The reason for the opposition is due to requests to the board wanting to utilize already existing infrastructure found in the area’s agencies with trusted resources. It is believed that bidding the services will destroy years of work, investment and relationship building.