By Sterling McGinn
The Village of Newberry is considering a partnership with the Luce County Sheriff’s Department to secure a part-time deputy to patrol the village.
Village Manager Allison Watkins said she’s had several conversations with Luce County Sheriff Eric Gravelle on the topic. Gravelle’s department provides part-time deputy coverage at Tahquamenon Area Schools, a position that is grant-funded. The grant would not cover a part-time deputy within the village.
“They would patrol, they would assist in zoning enforcement, which we are going to need, and just having a more visible presence,” Watkins said.
The sheriff’s department would provide the deputy, vehicle, uniforms, and supplies; the village would pay the deputy’s wages and set his or her schedule.
Trustees Cameron and Schummer would like the deputy’s hours to flex between day and night shifts if the partnership works out.
Watkins will seek more information before she presents any cost analysis to the council. The discussion would be sent to the infrastructure committee before being brought to the full board.
“I am excited about the idea,” said Watkins. “I would love to have a village police force, but that doesn’t seem feasible funding wise at this time.”
Watkins expects to have more information to share in the next couple of months.
In other business, the board discussed a new mandate from the State of Michigan that requires every electric utility provider to participate in an energy waste reduction program.
Previously, municipalities with electric services were required to participate in an energy optimization program. Customers saw “EO” charges on their utility bills, costing $0.85 cents to $1.50 per month per customer depending on kilowatt usage.
“That was part of the old state mandate for energy waste reduction and that energy optimization fee went to the state,” Watkins said. “If you had bought a brand-new deep freeze, and got rid of the old one, you could apply for a $50 credit for energy efficiency.”
Smaller energy providers, like Newberry Water & Light, were no longer required to participate in the plan in 2022. The village opted out.
Now, a new Green Energy bill requires all electric providers to have an energy waste reduction plan. Municipalities can choose to pay a compliance fee to cover the requirements for the energy waste reduction.
The Michigan Municipal Electric Association recommends that the Village of Newberry and 21 other municipalities join the Energy United Program being operated by a contractor called CleaResult.
“It is going to be a little painful to pay for,” Watkins said. “Their estimate per year to partner with them is approximately $78,000. We can put some of these expenses onto the customer’s bills, so like the energy optimization.”
Watkins does not yet know how much the added fee would be.
After discussion, the board voted to pass a resolution to participate in the program; their decision was required by July 1.
The village must participate for two years, 2026 and 2027.
Trustee Puckett said he would like to see a letter sent from Village President Catherine Freese to state lawmakers expressing concerns about the program, which they find impractical and expensive.
