BERRIEN COUNTY APPROVES SAFETY UPGRADE EXPENDITURES

By DEBRA HAIGHT
BCR Correspondent
ST. JOSEPH – Berrien County Commissioners received an update on the infrastructure projects being undertaken with the $15 million in American Rescue Plan Act funds the county received after the pandemic. The county board had approved a list of projects last year including work at the Niles courthouse that emphasized life safety and high priority work needing to be done.
County Commissioner and Administration Committee Chairman Jim Curran reported that “there is not enough money to go around to do everything.” He said, “We have prioritized and done the projects most needed involving life safety. The ones we’ve put on hold are the ones that are more cosmetic, mainly because we have other pressing needs.”
The county has $7.6 million left and is setting aside $3.5 million for the infrastructure needs at the Berrien County Juvenile Center in Berrien Township. County commissioners committed to spending money on the juvenile center last year although the eventual goal is to build a new facility.
“[County Administrator] Brian [Dissette] has talked to us numerous times about the fact that the old hospital and the juvenile center are on the same water and sewer system and we need to separate that. We need to get the juvenile center on its own water and sewer.” Curran said they also gave the green light to upgrade the fire suppression and alarm systems.
Last week’s county board meeting also featured presentations from Berrien County Prosecutor Amy Byrd and Animal Services Director Ashley Herr. In addition, County Commissioner Sharon Tyler raised concerns about the possibility of a property tax elimination proposal on the November, 2026 ballot and what it could mean to the county.
Tyler issued her warning about the “AxMITax” movement after hearing concerns raised at a recent Michigan Association of Counties conference. Proponents of eliminating the state’s property tax began their efforts more than a year ago but failed to gather enough signatures to put it on the ballot last year.
“If they get enough signatures it will be put on the ballot Nov. 3, 2026 and would go into effect that December if it passes,” Tyler said. “We would have all those lost revenues; it’s something to keep our eyes open to. It should be a big concern for everybody.” Losing property taxes would result in a big hit to county functions that are mandated by law. She warned especially about what it could mean for public safety.
Byrd recognized that last week was National Crime Victims Rights Week and that April is National Child Abuse Prevention Month, as well as Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Month. The goal in recognizing victims’ rights as well as child abuse and sexual assault prevention is to let people know about the problem and the services available; she spoke primarily about child abuse prevention efforts. “We want to dispel the myths and break the silence,” she said. “One in four girls and one in six boys will experience sexual abuse before age 18.”
Byrd said a big problem is that children blame themselves for what happened and don’t tell anyone. She estimated that number to be as high as 30 percent or more. “We talk about it because breaking the silence leads to prevention,” she said.
People can participate in recognizing the month by wearing blue, displaying blue pinwheels and educating themselves about the signs of child abuse. The county is invited to attend an educational program  about sexual abuse on April 24 from 2:30-5 p.m. at the Inn at Harbor Shores. Former federal prosecutor Kevin Mulcahy will speak.
Byrd and county commissioners lauded the work of the Children’s Advocacy Center of Southwest Michigan and Caring Connection. Byrd said that the advocacy center sees 500 children each year and her office handles dozens of cases each month. She said the prosecutor’s office is handling 23 cases involving child victims this month.
Animal Services Director Ashley Herr spoke about Animal Care and Control Appreciation Week which is April 13-19. She outlined the work her department does, from sheltering animals and reuniting people with their pets to providing vaccines, microchipping and spay/neuter services. She mentioned several upcoming events related to animal services, including a “Bids for Barks” fundraiser and auction April 26, a spay/neuter event on April 28, and an adoption special for cats and dogs, this week, April 13-19.