9/25/2025

BESSEMER - Numerous Citizens from Gogebic County including youth spoke during a packed public comment period at the start of the Gogebic County Board of Supervisors meeting last night at the Gogebic County Court House in Bessemer.  Most speaking against proposed cuts to the Gogebic County 4-H program.  The board ultimately decided in favor of those cuts, cutting the 4-H coordinator Ashley Dennis salary package in half to $40,000 from $80,000.  Commissioner Jim Lorenson (D) says the board has been displeased with the program for the last three years.  Because the 4-H Coordinator salary was in the Annual Budget and not separated, to vote in favor of keeping the salary at its original $80,000 for Dennis would have to be a vote against the entire county budget which includes numerous items that make the county function.  The Gogebic County Board last night passed its fiscal year 2026 budget which appropriated just over $134.5 Million dollars for the coming year beginning October 1. The board passed the budget unanimously, 7-0.