The Houghton County Board of Commissioners met last night for their regular monthly meeting where they discussed some new community concerns.
The chief item of interest on the agenda for most citizens was Resolution #26-28 pertaining to Automatic License Plate Readers, better known as ALPRs or cameras using the brand name Flock Security. This resolution, presented by local resident Katie LaCosse, aims to let Houghton County citizens know the county and Board’s position lies when it comes to the surveillance network, which has become a hotly contested subject in many communities as of late. People across the nation have expressed their concerns of invasion of privacy and camera misuse.
The proposition also includes a section that would take effect if Houghton County would eventually like to install such cameras; the county would be obligated to first explore non-commercial options and create clear and enforceable rules about data sharing. When brought to a vote by the Board, the motion passed 4-1. Houghton County officials have made it clear that they feel that they do not want ALPRs in our community due to the aforementioned concerns.
In addition to the previous resolution, the Board also voted to approve the same amount of allocated funds to the Western Upper Peninsula Health Department as last year, despite the department asking for more money. The point was raised that even though surrounding counties are paying the new full amount, Houghton County is effectively providing subsidization for the smaller counties in many ways that are unfair to Houghton County taxpayers. Board Chairman Tom Tikkanen said of the request “We were not given the opportunity to plan for it. We are helping subsidize their jail, their emergency services, materials handling and more.”
As this is the last regular meeting before the November 3rd general election, Commissioners Joel Keranen and Gretchen Janssen send words encouraging all those eligible to vote. Commissioner Glenn Anderson gave a statement calling for everyone that is able to to vote in favor of the millage that would be funding the new Houghton County public safety building and jail, stating the new jail would prevent having to perform early releases as has been having to happen lately. Anderson says the county has a liability exceeding $28 million that cannot be remediated in the current location, which has 0.8 beds per thousand citizens, as opposed to the Michigan average of 3.7 beds per thousand. Due to the increasing severity of crimes in the County, the Board calls for a new facility to be able to house those who are endangering our community– bids have been solicited to build the new building on the Sharon Avenue property that was acquired at no cost to the Houghton County taxpayer; since these bids were given my local companies, have been able to lower the bid amount by approximately $4 million.
The Houghton County Board of Commissioners will meet again in November. Full contact information as well as meeting minutes and agendas can be found on the Houghton County website.
