Gogebic County board approves lean-to repair, appoints DHHS member and doubles WUPHD HVAC funding

The Gogebic County Board of Commissioners on July 8 approved a series of routine financial reports and several spending and personnel actions at a brief meeting in Bessemer. The board voted to award a $15,000 contract to Erickson Roofing to repair a lean-to at the county fairgrounds, appointed Robert Ross to fill an unexpired term on the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) Board, authorized the county's annual Secure Rural Schools Act (SRS) election form, and approved a $300,000 budget for the WUPHD HVAC project.

Why it matters: The actions allocate county funds for facility repairs and public-health infrastructure and fill a vacant board seat that will run through Oct. 31, 2026. The funding increase for the WUPHD HVAC project shifts $150,000 from the General Fund and $150,000 from the Delinquent Tax Revolving Fund.

The board convened at 5:00 p.m. and recorded five members present: Commissioners Cayer, Matonich, Yon, Peterson and Chairman Dan Siirila; two commissioners (Lorenson and Wood) were absent. Commissioner Matonich moved to approve the June 10 minutes, and Commissioner Peterson supported; the motion carried by unanimous voice vote. Commissioner Yon subsequently moved to approve the agenda as amended; Commissioner Peterson supported and the board approved the agenda.

Clerk Erin Bunt reported having received one application to fill the unexpired DHHS Board term. Commissioner Matonich moved, Commissioner Cayer supported, and the board appointed Robert Ross to the DHHS Board; the term was recorded as expiring Oct. 31, 2026.

On finance matters, the board approved the trial balance and cash and investment report and placed it on file after a motion by Commissioner Yon and support from Commissioner Peterson. The General Fund revenue and expenditure control report was also approved and placed on file.

Commissioner Yon moved to pay claims, pre-paids and credit card charges as presented; Commissioner Peterson supported. A roll-call vote recorded five yes (Matonich, Yon, Peterson, Cayer, Siirila) and zero no, and the motion carried.

Under Other Matters, Commissioner Peterson moved and Commissioner Matonich supported awarding the lean-to repair contract at the fairgrounds to Erickson Roofing for $15,000. The board approved the contract by roll-call vote. The board also authorized signatures on the FY 2026 Forest Service payments election form—used to select the county's distribution under the Secure Rural Schools Act—after a motion by Commissioner Yon and support from Commissioner Cayer.

Commissioner Matonich moved, supported by Commissioner Cayer, to increase funding for the WUPHD HVAC project from $150,000 to $300,000, allocating $150,000 from the General Fund and $150,000 from the Delinquent Tax Revolving Fund. A roll-call vote recorded five yes votes and the motion carried.

No public opposition or contested debate on the motions was recorded. The meeting adjourned at 5:11 p.m.

Votes at a glance:
• Appointment: Robert Ross to DHHS Board (term to Oct. 31, 2026) — motion carried by unanimous voice vote. (SEG 001)
• Claims and accounts payment — roll call 5–0 yes (Matonich, Yon, Peterson, Cayer, Siirila). (SEG 002)
• Award: Lean-to repair to Erickson Roofing — $15,000 — roll call 5–0 yes. (SEG 002)
• Authorization: FY 2026 Forest Service SRS election form — unanimous voice vote. (SEG 002)
• Budget increase: WUPHD HVAC funding increased to $300,000 ($150,000 General Fund; $150,000 Delinquent Tax Revolving Fund) — roll call 5–0 yes. (SEG 003)