WLKM Radio 95.9 FM
The opening of a new Commission On Aging headquarters with senior housing tops the county’s highlights in 2018, according to its board chairman.
Commission chair Allen Balog said there’s plenty of good to look forward to in 2018, but personally he is most excited about a plan by COA director Tim Stoll to convert the former Three Rivers Inn into the agency’s new headquarters.
It will also be redeveloped to include 46, one-bedroom residential units.
The COA/Three Rivers Inn situation aside, Balog said he doesn’t expect the county commission to make a lot of news in 2018. He said the county has made a commitment to reeling in its expenses and focusing on ending the year on the positive side of its budget.
Balog said the county’s new finance director, Ryan Post, will complete his first full year of employment in July. Balog said bringing Post aboard was a move that has paid huge dividends for the county.
Balog said technology updates in the courts started in 2017 will carry over into 2018. Though technology updates are costly and are not very glamorous, Balog noted some of the upgrades were required. Other things to look forward to in 2018 include maintaining the county’s parks and moving its courts building basement employees to a new location.
The 61-year-old Balog is a Three Rivers resident who will be starting his eighth year as a commissioner in January. He represents Flowerfield and Fabius townships, and the city of Three Rivers.
