Three major local organizations agree Houghton County’s jail facility requires attention, but they diverge sharply on how to fund a new building.
The Copper Country Republicans, League of Women Voters, and Houghton County Democrats each participated in the county’s Jail Committee, yet their recent endorsement announcements reflect different priorities regarding the proposed 30-year millage.
The Copper Country Republicans recently rescinded their endorsement, citing concerns about placing a new tax burden on residents. Chapter Chairman Dan Holcomb, who served on the Jail Committee, hoped the county would find alternative funding sources.
“The tax rates, the taxable value rises, the bill rises,” Holcomb said. “It’s going to be about $127 a year for 30 years on a $100,000 taxable value.”
Republicans also expressed frustration about the lack of concrete designs for the project. Houghton County applied for design engineering funds through Congressman Jack Bergman’s office that could provide voters with visual renderings.
“If we do get this $2 million, it could be used for engineering and actual bill plans for the jail,” Holcomb said. “That way it’s not an estimate. It’s going to get closer to what it’s actually going to cost.”
The Houghton County Democrats and League of Women Voters endorsed the millage, praising the transparent process used by the Jail Committee. Both organizations noted improvements from previous failed millage attempts in 2018 and 2025.
“The League of Women Voters did not take a positive position on the 2018 millage because we saw problematic issues with it,” said Faith Morrison, Vice President of the Copper Country League of Women Voters. “This time, the board gathered everyone, pros and cons, to work together.”
The 2025 millage sought a $32 million bond. Following an industry review in July, Houghton County received construction management estimates ranging from $25-28 million. In August, the board approved language for November asking voters to consider a $28 million bond with a 1.27 millage rate payable over 30 years.
William Keith, Chairman of the Houghton County Democrats, explained the financial impact on residents. “It’s a 30-year millage, you can basically think of it like the 30-year mortgage that you usually get for your house,” Keith said. “It’s a big construction project. You pay it off over a long time and that keeps the monthly cost down for each of the residents in the county. For the median residential property, it works out to about $5 a month.”
Keith also highlighted improvements the county has made in response to previous voter concerns. “One of the concerns raised in previous years was that the county wouldn’t necessarily have been restricted to spending the money on a jail,” Keith said. “This time they’re making that commitment as part of the millage proposal in the main language. It’s another sign that they’re really trying to be as responsive as possible to citizen concerns.”
Some residents questioned the county’s decision to purchase the former church site on Sharon Avenue in anticipation of the project. Morrison explained the 2019 Jail Task Force recommended the location after finding no suitable site in the city. Michigan law requires the princiapl Sheriff’s Office resides in the county seat.
“The sheriff has been very firm they need to be together,” Morrison said. “Michigan law requires the sheriff’s principal office be in the county seat. The two being apart doesn’t make operational sense for our size.”
The site was annexed into the city of Houghton to house both the jail and sheriff’s office.
Throughout the county’s jail millage efforts, voters have expressed concerns about existing tax rates. However, Morrison noted that 2025 election results suggest voters will support new millages if the need is clearly demonstrated.
“Voters supported the Canal View renewal and a brand new millage for Copper Country Meals on Wheels,” Morrison said. “Although there’s anti-tax sentiment, voters will pass a millage if the case is made for the need.”
Houghton County residents will decide on the jail project at the November 3 election. The facility is designed to accommodate 70 beds. More information is available on the county’s website.
