BERRIEN COUNTY WELCOMES NEW ADMINISTRATOR

By DEBRA HAIGHT
BCR Correspondent

ST. JOSEPH – As Berrien County prepares to enter a new era with a new county administrator, the effects of COVID-19 continue to change the way the county does business. Although the county administration building opened to the public last week, the county’s two courthouses remain closed and governmental meetings continue to be held virtually.

The county administration building opening wasn’t without a hiccup or two. The person designated to check visitors for fevers and other symptoms developed a fever and was sent home. County commissioners voted last week to hire Lange Investigation and Consulting Services for less than $5,000 to provide security at the building when needed.

A press release last week from the Berrien County Board of Commissioners meetings reported that meetings will continue to be held virtually until further notice. The county board meetings are held most Thursday mornings at 10:30 a.m. and can be viewed on the county’s YouTube channel.

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer first ordered limitations on indoor public gatherings in March in response to the coronavirus pandemic and authorized remote participation in public meetings and hearings. While some limitations on gatherings have been lifted since then, she has extended the remote participation authorization until July 31.

Berrien County officials had initially planned to have its first night meeting of the year on Thursday, July 9 at the Michigan State University Extension Office on Hillandale Road near Benton Harbor but will now hold that meeting virtually at 10:30 a.m. that day.

The county board is not scheduled to meet this week on Thursday, July 2. County Board Chairman McKinley Elliott noted that it would be the only second day on the job for new County Administrator Brian Dissette. Additionally, he noted that it is a holiday week with county offices closed July 3 and there’s little pressing business.

County commissioners approved a three-year contract with Dissette at last week’s meeting calling for a base salary of $142,500. Dissette, currently the South Haven city manager, was interviewed and hired by the county board to be the new county administrator in late May. He succeeds William Wolf who retired earlier this month.

Dissette began his public service career in Berrien County, serving an internship in the county’s economic development department after college in 2002 during the tenure of then County Administrator Mike Henry. He then was the city manager in Watervliet for four years before going to South Haven in 2006.

Elliott and Henry, who has come back to serve as the interim county administrator for two weeks, said Dissette toured county facilities and met with county department heads and employees last week.

“The feedback from elected officials and department heads the last couple of weeks has been 100 percent positive in terms of Brian coming on board,” Elliott said. “Sometimes a little bit of good luck turns out for the best.”

         “I appreciate Mike Henry making himself available the last half this month to get Brian acclimated,” Elliott added. “A lot of folks here including Annette (Christie, the executive assistant) were hired by Mike. I think Brian will be better positioned to take reins next Wednesday.”

Henry said he’s been pleased with what he’s seen coming back to the county after 15 years as well as the chance to show Dissette around the county.

”Brian has been visiting the county frequently this month,” Henry said. “Last week, he visited with the courts, the prosecuting attorney, the sheriff’s department and jail and the health department. He has seen all facilities with exception of the juvenile center, which continues to be locked down for COVID.”

“I continue to be impressed with Brian, he’s anxious to arrive in Berrien County Wednesday morning,” he said. “He does have some work to do in terms of computer training and other things. I expect he also will be calling each one of you to schedule time to meet and talk to you.”

“Try to make yourself available, it’s important he understands what makes Berrien County a special place,” Henry told commissioners. “This is probably my last time to talk to the board, the county continues to be very present with financials. They’re rock solid, you should be commended.”

“The county’s department heads are also rock solid, they have a can-do spirit,” he said. “I appreciate the opportunity to be here. Thank you for the opportunity.”