By DEBRA HAIGHT
BCR Correspondent
ST. JOSEPH, MI – Berrien County Commissioners will soon be looking for a new county administrator. Current Administrator Brian Dissette announced last week that he is leaving at the end of January to take a position in the Ottawa County government.
Dissette was hired recently as the Deputy County Administrator for Ottawa County and will start his new duties there Feb. 2. He was chosen from a pool of 54 applicants, according to published reports.
“Throughout his career, Brian has led and supported a range of regional collaboration efforts, including the creation of a regional recreation authority, refinements to a regional water and sewer authority, regional police services agreements, and multiple initiatives focused on economic development,” an Ottawa County press release stated.
Dissette was hired in mid-2020 as the Berrien County Administrator after the retirement of William Wolf who had held that position for 15 years. Dissette was previously the South Haven City Manager for 12 years and the Watervliet City Manager for 4 years. He began his public service career as an intern with Berrien County in 2002.
“I’ve spoken with each of you before today,” Dissette told commissioners at last week’s meeting. “I will be completing my tenure with the county and will be staying through the end of the month. Thank you for the opportunity to work here, it’s been a pleasure to work with you. I will spend the next few weeks getting work done.”
County Board Chairman McKinley “Mac” Elliott called Dissette’s decision a good career move for him. “Timing is everything, when opportunities come up, you have to seize the day. Just know that you will be missed,” he told Dissette.
Dissette’s formal letter of resignation from the county was dated Dec. 31. “I am sincerely grateful for the trust and opportunity the Board placed in me during my tenure,” he wrote. “I hope for nothing but the best for Berrien County.”
No announcement was made last week about who might serve as the interim county administrator or the search for a new permanent county administrator.
Also last week, Berrien County Commissioners held their annual organizational meeting and approved a grant application to the state that would fund improvements to the Sheriff’s House at the History Center at Courthouse Square in Berrien Springs.
Elliott, who represents Buchanan on the board, is in the middle of a two-year term as county board chairman and Teri Freehling of Baroda was re-elected as the board vice-chair.
Commissioners also set their meeting calendar for 2026. They plan to hold five night meetings, one at the County Administration Center in St. Joseph on April 9 and then four on May 7, June 4, July 9 and Aug. 6 at locations to be determined around the county. The night meetings have traditionally started at 6 p.m.
With the grant application, Dissette reported that County Parks Director Jill Adams gathered the information needed for the grant application. He said the Michigan Department of Natural Resources is making grants available for history-related projects in conjunction with the nation’s 250th birthday this year.
The History Center at Courthouse Square is operated by the Berrien County Historical Association on behalf of the county. The History Center is part of the county’s park system.
Adams said after the meeting that the DNR has made available the America250MI grant program to celebrate the nation’s founding and support the preservation of local and state history. The county’s application is for the program’s second round of funding.
The county is asking for a grant of up to $50,000 and would put up a 30 percent local match.
She said they hope to hear back about the fate of their application by mid March. “We expect to hear back about the grant award by March 15,” she said. “I read that there were many grant applications during the first round, so I anticipate that there will be a lot of competition for these funds during this second round.”
As for what the grant would fund, she said the county is hoping to improve accessibility to the doors at the Sheriff’s House on the property. The county has documented capital needs at the History Center in the 2025-29 five year parks and recreation plan.
“The Berrien County Parks Department has a long list of necessary facility improvements at the History Center at Courthouse Square County Park,” she said. “If awarded, funds from this grant will help improve the entrance points to the Sheriff’s Residence building.”
She noted that improvements will include reducing trip hazards, installing more secure railings, shoring up the decorative pillars that are in disrepair, and reworking the ADA accessible entrance by improving the barrier-free surfacing and renovating the deteriorating doorway.
Commissioners also heard an update on History Center staffing from Commissioner Jim Curran who serves on the historical association board. Curran reported that curator John Moga has agreed to also take on the director’s duties and serve as the interim director after Rhiannon Cizon’s departure.