Houghton – Special Meeting on Jail Millage Proposal
April 15 @ 10:00 am
The Houghton County Board of Commissioners and Administration invite all residents to attend a Special Meeting on April 15, 2025, at 10:00 a.m., located at 401 East Houghton Avenue, 3rd Floor Circuit Court, Houghton, MI 49931, to learn about the designs under consideration for the construction of a new county jail. If approved by the County Board, there will be a proposed millage request to fund the construction of the selected design.
The current jail facility is outdated, overcrowded, and no longer meets state compliance standards or the needs of the county. The proposed millage would provide funding for a modern facility designed to improve public and workplace safety, efficiency, and the ability to meet the county’s long-term commitment to maintaining a safe and orderly community.
To ensure residents have a full understanding of the project before the April 15th meeting, a series of public presentations will be held across the county in the coming weeks. These presentations will provide opportunities for residents to ask questions, review project details, give feedback, and learn about the impact of the millage request before the proposal is officially presented at the special meeting. The schedule for these presentations will be released soon.
“This is an important decision for our community,” said Tom Tikkanen Houghton County Board Chair. “We want residents to have all the facts about why a new jail is necessary, what it will cost, and how it will impact our local law enforcement and justice system. The public’s input is essential in shaping the future of this project.”
At the meeting, county officials, law enforcement representatives, and experienced jail-designers will present details on the proposal, including cost estimates, potential locations, and how the funding would be raised and allocated. The goal is to place the millage request on the August 2025 ballot. For those not able to attend in person there will be a link posted on our website at Website: Houghton County.
Houghton County encourages all residents to attend and participate in this important discussion. For more information,
please contact [Contact Name] at [Phone Number] or [Email Address].
Special Meeting Details:
Date: April 15, 2025
Time: 10:00 a.m.
Location: 401 East Houghton Avenue, 3rd Floor, Houghton, MI 49931
Key Topics to be Discussed:
• The urgent need for a new jail facility
• Current jail conditions and compliance challenges
• Input from the public attending
• Projected costs and taxpayer impact
• Next steps in the process leading to the August 2025 ballot
Public Presentation Series:
Houghton County will be hosting a series of public presentations in various townships, villages, and city councils prior to April 15 to ensure the community is well-informed and heard. These presentations will allow residents to ask questions and provide feedback that will make the proposal better.