ASHLAND, Wis. — The Ashland County Board has approved a pair of ordinances intended to protect taxpayers from infrastructure costs arising from the planned Gogebic Taconite iron mine.
The Ashland Daily Press reports (http://bit.ly/13YfkPd ) the mining company would be required to make an initial $100,000 payment to the county and keep a minimum balance of $50,000 to reimburse the county for its expenses.
The vote was 18-1. The sole opponent was Frank Kempf, who says the ordinances send the signal that Ashland County opposes mining. He says it will shift mining to Iron County instead.
GTAC Manager of External Affairs Bob Seitz says the company will have to examine the ordinances to see if they conflict with state law.
The Iron County board could vote July 2 on adopting its own mining regulations.
