BERRIEN COUNTY COMMISSIONERS

Mac Elliott                            Dave Vollrath
Ezra Scott                             Jon Hinkelman
Michael Majerek                 Julie Wuerfel
Teri Freehling                       Don Meeks
Bob Harrison                        Mamie Yarbrough
Rayonte Bell                         Jim Curran

Berrien County Board of Commissioners
Berrien County Administration Center
St. Joseph, Michigan 49085
Date:               March 18, 2021
Contact:          Annette Christie, Executive Assistant to the Administrator
(269) 983-7111, Ext. 8095

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

The Berrien County Board of Commissioners recognizes that the current Michigan Department of Health and Human Services orders limit the number of attendees in a meeting to 25, while maintaining social distancing of 6’.  The current amendment to the Open Meetings Act (OMA) that allows for virtual meetings will expire March 31, 2021.  Given the number of people allowed in a meeting, the twelve members of the Board of Commissioners recognize that they cannot limit the public and yet the order restricts the number of attendees to 25.  They also recognize that many boards, councils, and organizations are facing the same challenge.

Accordingly, the Board of Commissioners’ just passed a resolution enacting a State of Emergency for the purpose of allowing continued virtual meetings to be compliant with the OMA after March 25, 2021 due to COVID-19.  In declaring a State of Emergency to maintain continuity of government by the County, it will include the ability for all public bodies within Berrien County to meet virtually, consistent with the OMA provisions, without further action on their part. The resolution authorizes the State of Emergency through June 30, 2021.  At any time that legislators take action at the state level to create allowances for public bodies to meet and / or if the number of allowed people in a room expands to an adequate level, the Berrien County Board of Commissioners may modify or rescind the State of Emergency.

The public is encouraged to participate in Berrien County public meetings by visiting the Berrien County channel on You Tube.  Meeting details are posted on the Board of Commissioners webpage at www.berriencounty.org

In addition, it was announced today that the Berrien County Administration Center will re-open to the public on Monday, April 5, 2021 at 8:30 a.m. Masking and social distancing guidelines will be followed and members of the public who visit the Administration Center will undergo a screening for COVID-19 prior to conducting any business.  The Administration Center includes the following offices: County Clerk (vital records), Veterans Affairs, Treasurer, Drain Commissioner, Register of Deeds, GIS/Land Mapping, Parks and Recreation, Administration, Human Resources, and Financial Services/Purchasing.   The drop box will remain outside of the building for those that would like to drop off documents vs. coming into the building.  The Administration Center is open Monday-Friday from 8:30 am – 5:00 pm, with the exception of holidays.