Hiring an Economic Development Corporation director would bring more business and jobs to the county and increase revenue, say county commissioners, who have decided to create the new county job. Commissioners say they want the position to strictly focus on economic development and Wednesday, March 21, they will discuss the position, review a job description, and determine the salary.

A consensus that the county needs someone dedicated to economic development, to attract new businesses and create more yeararound jobs, was reached Thursday, March 8, meeting.

"I think we are losing some revenue for this county," said Commissioner Larry Leveille, "and without a person doing this, we're never going to make any headway in the economic development area."

Commissioner Mike Patrick said he would like to see the job's responsibilities focused on economic development and not include event planning.

Commissioner Carl Frazier said he would like to see a candidate with grant writing experience and he said the commission should set goals as a way to evaluate progress.

In other business, commissioners formalized funding support they pledged last November for area food pantries for this year. They signed agreements to give the St. Ignace Food Pantry $1,200 and the Curtis Baptist Food Pantry and the West Mackinac County Food Pantry in Engadine $500 each.

Commissioner Calvin McPhee presented a February report from animal shelter manager Ginger Valentine that included the number of new animals taken in at the county's animal shelter since October. Of the 16 new animals brought into the shelter, seven were adopted by families, six pets were returned to their owners, and three animals remained unclaimed.

Mr. McPhee said he had not received animal control officer Wendy Frosland's report.

In another animal shelter issue, commissioners expressed concern over insurance coverage for volunteers and volunteer groups working at the shelter. They questioned whether a waiver should be signed by the volunteers and asked County Clerk May Kay Tamlyn to look into the matter and report back to them.

To reduce medical care costs for inmates and stabilize monthly payments by reducing spikes in medical charges, Sheriff Scott Strait asked commissioners to consider hiring Inmate Healthcare of Peoria, Illinois, to manage health care at the jail.

Commissioners told the sheriff they would make a decision by their next meeting.

The Illinois company's plan would cost the county approximately $52,000 a year. Over the last two years, Sheriff Strait said, inmate medical costs have ranged between $65,000 and $69,000 a year.

The average daily inmate population has increased from approximately 20 inmates a day in 2005 to 22 inmates a day in 2006, said Sheriff Strait. Inmate Healthcare provides coverage for 93 midwestern counties, including Marquette County, would hire local medical personnel who would be available 24 hours a day, and cover all costs, except dental care.

The Sheriff's Department currently has an agreement with Vital Care of Cheboygan, which has a 30-day cancellation clause, said Sheriff Strait. The home health care agency provides an on-site nurse at the jail three days a week for health care screenings and to work with physicians on patient medication requirements.

The HOME Show scheduled for April 20 and April 21 at Little Bear East Arena and Convention Center in St. Ignace, sponsored by Housing Opportunities Made Equal, will receive $500 from the county in support of the effort.

The mileage rate for county employees was increased, effective March 1, to meet the state rate of 48.5¢ a mile. The county had been paying 44.5¢.

A resolution recognizing the contributions of the late Florence "Flo" Sturt of St. Ignace, who worked for the Friend of the Court for 22 years, was signed by commissioners. Mrs. Sturt died March 7.

Commissioners will seek bids for new blinds for the courthouse windows and to renovate four bathrooms in the Courthouse building.

During the public comment portion of the meeting, commissioners listened as John Lechner of Dafter voiced complaints over bail money rules. Commissioners suggested he contact the court.

Commissioners will next meet Wednesday, March 21, at 3:30 p.m. to discuss the EDC director position and wage and classification requests. The commissioners' next regular meeting is Thursday, March 22, at 3:30 p.m. Both meetings will be in the annex building at the Courthouse.