The City of St. Ignace will operate with $2.15 million in its general fund for 2007, with a total budget, including operation of its utilities and marina, of just under $8 million. City Council adopted its 2007 budget during its regular meeting Monday, December 18, and also approved a St. Ignace Chamber of Commerce request to give special events status to its new mud run, which will be held three times over the summer.

The city will levy 16.26 mills, the same as last year, to raise $1.4 million in taxes, based on an estimated taxable value of city real estate that totals $85,263,225. From the millage, $1,153,600 will go to the city’s general fund, $157,260 will be captured by the Downtown Development Authority, and $75,602 will go to the city’s recreation program.

There was little discussion about the new budget before Council adopted it. Council held a five-minute public hearing on the issue, but no issues were raised by the audience, which consisted mostly of city department heads.

The budget ordinance, Ordinance 610, will be effective January 1, 2007.

The Chamber of Commerce is expected to hold mud runs near Little Bear East Ice Arena and Conference Center May 19, July 7, and September 8. Owing to some complaints from nearby residents, the mud run course was pushed behind the Little Bear East facility, further away from Murray Street.

Chamber Executive Director Janet Peterson and City Manager Eric Dodson believe they have responded to resident concerns about the mud run, which features vehicles competing for the fastest time through a mud course.

A petition, signed by 13 nearby residents, was submitted to the city, which listed concerns the residents had with holding a mud run within city limits, including excessive noise and environmental safety at the nearby wetlands and pond.

Because the events will be held between noon and 5 p.m., it does not violate any city noise regulations, said Mr. Dodson. He also reported that the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality doesn’t believe the event will contaminate the wetlands.

The course is on city property and not in the wetlands, Mr. Dodson said.

St. Ignace and nearby townships are hashing out financial details on the Allied EMS purchase of a new $88,000 ambulance, which the units will help pay for. Roughly $12,000 will be contributed by the Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians. The city agreed November 6 to cover 47 percent, or $42,300. Five townships will also contribute, based on their populations. Moran Township will be expected to pay 18 percent of the cost, while St. Ignace Township will pay 17 percent, Brevort Township 11 percent, Hudson Township four percent, and Hendricks Township three percent.

Allied operates the emergency medical service for the six units.

“Everyone is on board, it is just a matter of how they are on board,” said Mr. Dodson, explaining that some townships are deciding whether to pay their portions up front or in installments.

Mayor Paul Grondin appointed Lynne Piippo to one of two vacant seats on the city’s Recreation

Advisory Committee. Mrs. Piippo is the new executive director for the St. Ignace Visitor’s Bureau. She replaces Kelly Simmons, the former Visitor’s Bureau executive director, on the committee.

Mayor Grondin said he will probably make the last appointment by the next council meeting.

Mr. Dodson said the city’s fire department rating of six (10 being the highest and worst rating), by the Insurance Services Organization (ISO), is not likely to change, as it has not for the past 20 years.

St. Ignace Fire Chief John “Bucky” Robinson said the only way St. Ignace can improve its rating is by “throwing a lot of money toward fire equipment and staff.”

The rating corresponds with the city’s insurance rates, explained Mr. Dodson. He cited three things that keeps the city’s rating where it is: 1) it is a volunteer department, 2) the city has no ladder truck with which to fight fires in taller buildings, and 3) the city has three-story buildings, including motels, which would benefit from a ladder truck.

Councilman Don Gustafson speculated many fire departments in the Upper Peninsula are volunteer and that a rating of six is probably common.

Mr. Dodson said Mackinaw City and Cheboygan are rated six, Sault Ste. Marie and Petoskey are rated five, and some areas outside Petoskey are rated nine.

Council agreed its rating is satisfactory, considering how the rating system is set up.

“It seems to be the ISO rating is stacked toward urban fire departments,” said Councilman Gustafson.

Mr. Dodson added that the ISO is funded by insurance companies.