ESCANABA – Delta County has approved it 2013-14 budget. Administrator Nora Viau says the nearly $9.5 million budget is about $300-thousand more than last year.

“I feel comfortable with it. It’s still very tight. It’s still very conservative. We are still in a flatline with our taxes but it’s a doable budget,” she said. “We’re not anticipating great tax increase but hopefully the increases that have been projected will come to fruition.”

The budget does not include salary increase for any position again this year. It eliminates at position that was recently vacant at the Delta County Sheriff’s Department, continues support of MSU Extension and the 4-H program and maintains the prosecutor’s current budget which was cut the year before.

“He had to come before the board to address several difficult cases that were going to increase beyond what they had anticipated their normal caseload cost would be. If there is anything in that same area that requires expert witnesses that they hadn’t really anticipated then he will come back to the board to discuss that with them,” Viau said.

Yet to be determined is the county’s health insurance costs for the next year. Viau says that will be determined yet this month.

Pinecrest Medical Care Facility
The Pinecrest Medical Care Facility in Powers is looking to expand into home health care. Administrator Richard Mapes made a presentation to the Delta County Board this week. Pinecrest is a joint operation of Delta, Menominee and Dickinson Counties.

Viau says operating the Great Northern Home Care at Pincrest will help make the facility more self-sufficient. A separate governing board would have to be established with representatives from the three counties.

November Election Ballots
Delta County Clerk Nancy Kolich has programmed the upcoming ballot for the November election. It includes contested city races in Escanaba and Gladstone.

Five candidates are seeking election for three four-year terms on Escanaba City Council. One other person is looking to fill a partial term in Escanaba. And six people are looking to fill three four-year terms in Gladstone while four people are looking to complete a partial position.

“It’s good to see that people are interested in running for these positions. It is very discouraging when you have to have write-ins to fill the positions,” said Kolich.

Bay College will also be looking to renew its operating millage for 20 years.

Kolich says absentee ballots will be ready by the end of this month.