Houghton County Board Commissioners, from left, Glenn Anderson, Roy Britz and Tom Tikkanen, Discuss design plans for a new Houghton County Jail. The jail project may join other issues on the August ballot. (Ben Garbacz/Daily Mining Gazette)

HOUGHTON — The Houghton County Board of Commissioners discussed a variety of upcoming projects and potential millages coming up in 2025 in its regular meeting. A meeting was established regarding the design plan for a new jail site on April 15 at 10 a.m. where two proposals will be discussed and receive input from the community.

Houghton County Chairman Tom Tikkanen said that it will be ambitious but possible to have something on the August ballot regarding the jail.

“We heartily encourage the community to attend this meeting,” he said. “It’s going to be exciting.”

Conditions of the jail have been dangerous for the County for many years and inmates average anywhere from 20 to 25 years of age.

Sheriff Joshua Saarenen thanked the committee that put the plans together.

“In our last meeting, we whittled down several options down to two to present to the board of commissioners,” Saarenen said. “So I think we were able to make a lot of progress, and I think there’s a lot of good insight, a lot of knowledge and a lot of the community bringing in the different needs that we’re going to see for future facilities.”

Many other county millage requests will be on the August ballot including school district proposals, fire department millage and Canal View millage renewal.

Board discussion on the millage on the Elder Nutrition issue has been tabled for the April board meeting.

In other action, the board adopted resolution 25-03 which ratified the contract of the Houghton County Memorial Airport employees represented by AFSCME. The contract will run through 2027.

The board also approved Resolution 25-04 which transferred the accounts payable and HR duties to the administrative team.

The county will also seek a new finance manager and drain commissioner following the retirement of current commissioner John Pekkala in May.