Mackinac County will collect an additional $144,748 in taxes this year over 2004, estimates Jim Fenlon, director of the Equalization Department, who announced the projected increase to county commissioners at their Thursday, June 9, meeting. Of the 4.3118 mills to be levied this year, 1.4372 will be levied July 1 and 2.8746 on December 1. The increase is attributed, he said, to new construction and a Headlee allowance for inflation of 2.3 percent.

Commissioners were invited to attend a meeting with Treasurer Jane Hampton, Clerk Mary Kay Tamlyn, commission chair Dawn Nelson, and board assistant Cindy Oliver to hear a review of the audit by the county’s auditor, Paul Bailey, Monday, June 12. A formal presentation will be made to the board at a later date.

While on the subject of county finances, though no action was taken, Commissioner Jim Farero said he believes an independent audit of the treasurer’s office is needed. Commissioners Carl Frazier and Joe Durm agreed.

“How am I assured that the money from the treasurer has been paid back?” asked Mr. Farero. He was referring to $5,000 Mrs. Hampton allocated without authorization to herself and her chief deputy, which she has since paid back.

Mrs. Nelson said County Prosecutor W. Clayton Graham had advised the board at an earlier meeting that the final payment had been made. Mr. Farero received no response to his question as to what happened to the money the county paid in social security and retirement on those improper payments.

Commissioners changed the hours for the new emergency services coordinator, Michelle Della-Moretta, to an adjustable schedule, at her request. She will work Monday through Thursday so she can keep her one-day-a-week position at the district health department. Instead of six hour days, five days a week, Mrs. Della-Moretta said she will work eight-hour days Mondays through Wednesdays, six hours on Thursday. She will be available for all meetings and will make a copy of her weekly schedule available.

Commissioners sent a letter to state representatives, senators, and the governor expressing the negative economic repercussions the closing of the Newberry Correctional Facility and Camp Manistique would have on the area.

“An impact such as this affects not only the loss of jobs, but families are forced to leave their community, which results in small businesses suffering, utility costs rising, property values dropping, health care facility cutbacks, and our schools will lose revenue due to the decline in student enrollment,” states the letter, which was e-mailed to Lansing Thursday, June 9.

The letter was drafted by Cindy Oliver, the board’s assistant.

The Michigan Senate voted 58-52 along party lines to close the facilities as a budget cut, with all Senate Republicans voting for the cut.

Commissioners told Jack Gordon that no insurance agent changes will be considered until January. The announcement was sparked by the appearance of their former insurance representative, who requested another vote to reinstate him. Commissioners had previously voted on the issue, making The Cheeseman Agency the sole agent.

Mr. Frazier, who previously supported Mr. Gordon, said, “This is just rehashing stuff that’s not going to go anywhere.”

“That’s my opinion,” Mrs. Nelson agreed.

In other business, Vernon Nye was reappointed to the Veterans Affairs Committee.

The County Board of Commissioners next meets Thursday, June 23, at 1:30 p.m. at the commissioners’ room in the County Building.