BERRIEN COUNTY COMMISSION UPDATE

By DEBRA HAIGHT
BCR Correspondent

ST. JOSEPH – Berrien County Commissioners approved a number of items at their meeting last week and also heard from two county residents who want to see more transparency when it comes to county board and committee meetings.

Adolph Peltzer of Hagar Township was the first to speak in public comments. He told commissioners they need to do more to listen and represent county residents.

“There are three or four of us here representing the county’s 174,000 residents,” he said. “I have recommended things and represent those people. You guys don’t want to do anything for us, why don’t you ask us how to spend our money?”

“In a democracy, you should ask the public when meetings should be,” he added. “You’re excluding 90 percent of the public by having the meetings in the morning. If you put it to a vote, most people would say they want the board to meet in the evenings.”

Tony Benhart of Sodus Township had a different concern. He thinks board committee meetings should be available for residents to see on the county’s YouTube channel. Currently, only county board meetings are livestreamed as the committee meetings are held in rooms at the Administration Center without that capability.

He suggested that the county board re-arrange their meeting schedule to have committee meetings held at staggered times instead of all at the same time. The committee meetings could then be held in the board meeting room so they could be livestreamed.

“Then people can hear what’s going on in those meetings and it would also be more in compliance with the Open Meetings Act,” he said. “Right now, people can’t go to the meetings that are held at the same time. They should have the right to see what’s going on at those meetings. You should rethink those things and have all the meetings in this room.”

In action at last week’s county board meeting, commissioners approved a grant application for a snowmobile law enforcement grant for the 2022-23 winter season in the amount of $8,627. They also amended the drug treatment court grant allocation in order to reflect an increase in funding.

Commissioners also approved a memo with the Michigan Department of Technology, Management and Budget to credit the county for investments made to enhance 9-1-1 service. The new agreement recognizes the addition of a new repeater tower at the Lakeland Watervliet facility.

Action has not yet been taken on plans to expand communication services in the south county. Berrien County Administrator Brian Dissette said earlier this month that the county is nearing an agreement to buy the former AEP building on Circle Drive in Buchanan to be the location of the new south county tower.

The county has already received a multi-million grant from the state of Michigan for the project. Once completed, it is expected to improve radio communications along the state line and throughout the county.

Other action taken included an agreement with the Michigan Department of Technology, Management and Budget for aerial mapping in the county to be done throughout the year and an agreement with four other entities to share legal costs in fighting a Tax Tribunal appeal by American Electric Power for the value of the Cook Nuclear Plant.

The county will be sharing the cost of challenging the AEP Tax Tribunal appeal with Lake Michigan College, Berrien RESA, the Bridgman school district and Lake Township. Berrien County alone would lose nearly $2 million in annual tax revenue if AEP wins its appeal.

County Vice-Chairman Teri Freehling updated fellow commissioners on the status of broadband expansion grant applications from area townships. The county board has set aside $6 million of its American Rescue Plan Act funds to give matching grants to townships.

She reported that the Southwest Michigan Planning Commission is working with a number of townships on their grant applications. Those include Baroda, Galien, Chikaming, Berrien and Pipestone Townships. Two townships-Oronoko and Bainbridge-have already been awarded grants.

In addition, she said two companies are out and about in the county, mapping broadband service needs in the county. Those efforts should be beneficial as the county tries to secure more funding from federal and state sources for broadband expansion in coming months.

The county board’s June 30 meeting will be a special tribute to honor former Sheriff Forrest “Nick” Jewell who died in May. Family, friends and former colleagues are expected to gather to honor his legacy in the county including more than two decades as sheriff. That meeting will start at 10:30 a.m. in the county board conference room.

A number of well-known county residents have died in recent weeks. Former County Treasurer Carol Stockman died earlier in June and former Benton Harbor Mayor Charles Yarbrough died last week. His wife, Mamie, is a Berrien County Commissioner.

Also, Dissette reported that longtime businessman and philanthropist Merlin Hanson died last week. He created and ran the Hanson Group, Eagle Technologies and Hanson Mold. He was a founding member of Cornerstone Alliance and funded projects at Lake Michigan College and Spectrum Lakeland Health.

Honored last week was Berrien County Sheriff’s Department Sgt. Ron Bush who is retiring after over 25 years of service. He has worked in the jail, enforcement and emergency management divisions during his tenure. He was recognized nationally for his efforts in a number of areas including responding to potential terrorist threats at the Cook Nuclear Plant.

Also honored this month was Lee Lull, the retiring Veteran Services Officer for the county. He has been with the county for 35 years including serving as the deputy probate register and the last 10 years as the Veteran Services Officer.

Dissette reported to commissioners that two county departments, Berrien County Veteran Services and the Berrien County Parks and Recreation Department, were honored recently as among “The Top 20 Places to Work in Southwest Michigan 2022.”

The county board’s July 7 meeting will be a night meeting held in Three Oaks.