County Commission

The St. Joseph County Board of Commissioners has agreed to return to staging its committee of the whole meetings twice a month. The five-member panel last month decided to assemble at 8 a.m. the Wednesday before its twice-a-month board meetings. The committee of the whole meetings starting in January this year were held just once a month, prior to the …

Kalamazoo County Administrator Peter Battani has resigned. The resignation was presented to the County Board at Wednesday night’s meeting and was unanimously accepted. Battani cited fatigue as the reason for his departure. He will receive six months pay as severance and will be eligible for health insurance through the county.  (MRN)

The St. Joseph County Board of Commissioners this week renewed a three-year contract for indigent-defense services. County administrator Pat Yoder said a pool of nine area attorneys were accepted to represent defendants who cannot afford legal services during their judicial process. The agreement, between the county and the Michigan Municipal Corporation, comes with a cost averaging about $480,000 each year …

The executive director of St. Joseph County’s Commission on Aging made some clarifications Tuesday regarding the proposed Sturgis Senior Center building, its funding and related issues. Addressing the St. Joseph County Board of Commissioners, Lynn Coursey noted the $2.6 million the commission fronted to the COA Oct. 7 was a loan and set aside in an account as a fund …

The St. Joseph County Board of Commissioners Tuesday recognized 26 county employees observing milestone years of employment. Sheriff’s Department Sgt. Bruce Morse led the way with 35 years. Friend of the Court caseworker Andi Guy and juvenile register Cathy Coleman were recognized for reaching the 30-year plateau. Road Patrol Deputy Jay Parker and corrections officer Judy Buchner-VanCamp reached the 25-year …

The St. Joseph County Board of Commissioners has agreed to include the village of Centreville for services rendered by the county’s grant writer, Lindsay Oswald. During action at Tuesday’s meeting, commissioners approved a proposal calling for the village to pay about $3,200 annually to receive Oswald’s services. The amount represents about 5 percent of the $64,800 in salary and benefits …

Two vacant positions with the St. Joseph County Sheriff’s Department will be filled, as the county’s board of commissioners earlier this month approved staffing the posts. One road-patrol position and a full-time job in corrections will be filled once viable candidates are found. Resignations in both cases created the openings. In other personnel matters last week, the commission hired Catherine …

The St. Joseph County Board of Commissioners has granted approval to Circuit Court Judge Paul Stutesman to re-apply for a state grant. During action at last week’s commission meeting, Stutesman sought permission to pursue a grant worth in excess of $280,000 for the Swift and Sure Sanctions Probation program. The program is already in place and received high praise from …

St. Joseph County’s Board of Commissioners has reached an employment agreement with the county’s finance director. During last week’s commission meeting, the board and Joni Smith signed a one-year contract retroactive to Oct. 1. The contract reflects compensation for a number of additional duties Smith has been delegated in the past two years. Those responsibilities include budget preparation and managing …

The latest PowerPoint presentation regarding the St. Joseph County River Trail master plan is now available on the county’s website. County officials said the presentation, shown at four community meetings over the past six weeks, is a part of the master plan for what is expected to be an official river trail. The concept originated with the St. Joseph County …