County Commission

A Sturgis man has been added to St. Joseph County’s Planning Commission Board. During action last week, county commissioners agreed to make Gregg Dohm a member. His appointment fills one of two vacancies on the planning commission. Dohm, who is retired and serves as president of the Pheasant Pointe Condo Association, will serve through 2017, when, the term of his …

A team of mountain-bike enthusiasts has agreed to help develop a 10-mile route at Meyer Broadway Park in Fabius Township. Parks and recreation director Jaymes MacDonald told members of the St. Joseph County Board of Commissioners Tuesday he made contact last fall with Augusta-based Southwest Chapter of the Michigan Mountain Biking Association about the concept. After a site visit with …

Burr Oak’s plan to outsource its police protection was completed Tuesday, when members of the St. Joseph County Board of Commissioners approved an agreement with the village. Less than a week after village officials staged a special meeting to dissolve its department and accept the sheriff’s department proposal, the issue was put in motion with the county commission’s endorsement. The …

St. Joseph County officials have agreed to provide financial assistance to help with a project at a local cemetery. During Tuesday’s county commission meeting, administrator Pat Yoder said the county was asked by the Sturgis chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution to provide $2,200, to match like financial commitments offered by Nottawa Township and the village of Centreville. …

An independent contractor agreement was reached Tuesday by the St. Joseph County Board of Commissioners. County administrator Pat Yoder said the agreement with Constantine Fire Chief Mike Haydon is an annual arrangement through the county’s Local Emergency Planning Committee. Yoder said Haydon has been hired the past six years to review plans for businesses that meet or exceed certain thresholds …

The St. Joseph County Board of Commissioners will see at least two new faces starting in 2017, as commissioners Robin Baker and Rick Shaffer have decided to not seek re-election. White Pigeon’s Dan Czajkowski, 60, is running unopposed and will replace Baker to the two-year term as District 4 representative. Four contestants are competing to replace Shaffer as commissioner of …

Members of the St. Joseph County Road Commission have two weeks before they’ll regroup and take a deeper look at the lopsided defeat the agency suffered this week. By a margin of nearly 5-to-1, a request for an additional 2.5 mills over a 10-year period was turned down Tuesday. Agency officials said they hope to get a better understanding of …

St. Joseph County’s longtime medical examiner was recognized by members of the county commission during their meeting this week. A proclamation honoring John Robertson was approved by commissioners Tuesday. Commissioner Rick Shaffer read the proclamation. It commended Robertson for his personal commitment of time and energy required to responsibly perform a public duty, and for the unselfish sacrifices he demonstrated …

St. Joseph County officials are expected to approve a few amendments to their municipal loan fund process. County administrator Pat Yoder said the matter arose through discussions with various townships. One in particular is looking into the purchase of a fire truck, an expense projected to be about $500,000. The township, Yoder said, has saved $100,000 and it will likely …

Members of the St. Joseph County Board of Commissioners were given an update on a master plan for the county’s newest park during Wednesday’s executive committee meeting. Suzanne Fromson, representing St. Joseph-based Edgewater Resources, reviewed a number of details related to the six-acre Covered Bridge Farm park before commissioners agreed to put the matter on their agenda for a vote …