County commission reluctantly accepts grant

Members of the St. Joseph County Board of Commissioners this week reluctantly accepted a grant from Michigan’s Indigent Defense Commission.

During Tuesday’s meeting, commissioners approved a motion netting the county $266,000 from the state source. The discontent came from the fact the county is obliged to satisfy terms of the agreement, which amounts to $414,000.

The grant is retroactive to Oct. 1 and expires Sept. 30 next year.

Commissioner Dan Czajkowski said the grant is state mandated and comes with a painful price tag.

Commissioner John Dobberteen cast the lone dissenting vote on the motion.