County Commission

The St. Joseph County Board of Commissioners approved a tuition-reimbursement policy for county employees. Spearheaded by Commissioner Don Eaton, the program allows county employees to receive reimbursement up to 100 percent of tuition cost per semester at an accredited college, university or trade school. The course must be for credit or extended-education purposes. County administrator Pat Yoder said the classes …

A Portage-based company was hired this week to fulfill a component toward potential construction of a Sturgis senior center. Members of the St. Joseph County Board of Commissioners agreed Tuesday to work with Cornerstone Construction Management. The company will provide services related to design, bidding and construction. Total cost of the deal is $78,000. County Administrator Pat Yoder said the …

Six people this week were recommended for re-appointment to the St. Joseph County Commission on Aging Board for two-year terms. They are: Margaret Schultz, Jon Withers, Charles Willer, Deb Leyes, Steve Boland and Jay Newman. As Leyes is a member at large, her term is for one year only. Also during action Tuesday, the St. Joseph County Board of Commissioners …

A proposed infrastructure improvement at Cade Lake Park would allow it to have the benefit of a sewer system. Members of the St. Joseph County Board of Commissioners agreed Tuesday to a contract with Jones Petrie Rafinski for engineering services related to the proposal. County administrator Pat Yoder said the plan calls for expanding a sewer pipe from a Burr …

St. Joseph County’s Board of Commissioners has agreed to fill a vacant position in the two departments. During Tuesday’s meeting, commissioners agreed to fill a clerk’s spot in the finance department. The post is being filled half-time by a member of the Register of Deeds office. Human resources director Elishia Arver said the position will stay filled in such a …

The St. Joseph County Board of Commissioners has signed a contract with a Sturgis-area man to serve as the grounds attendant at Cade Lake County Park. During action earlier this month, the commission and Burr Oak Township resident Richard Dell settled an agreement leading to Dell’s role for the summer and early fall months at the Fawn River Township park. …

A grant awarded the past two decades to St. Joseph County through the Michigan Department of Corrections is being renewed for a three-year period. At the request of District Court Judge Jeff Middleton, the St. Joseph County Board of Commissioners Tuesday authorized Middleton submitting the Community Corrections Grant application. Programs and administrative costs covered by the grant equal $103,000. Middleton …

The St. Joseph County Board of Commissioners has agreed to revise the date and time of its once-a-month executive committee meeting. During Tuesday’s board meeting, commissioners settled on 8 a.m. the Wednesday before the second commission meeting of the month. The executive committee, which acts as a committee of the whole and discusses in detail items to appear on the …

A step toward development of a county-owned river trail was taken Tuesday. Members of the St. Joseph County Board of Commissioners Tuesday agreed to fund $89,000 for services provided by Edgewater Resources. Based in the city of St. Joseph, Edgewater Resources will work with the county in developing a riverfront master plan. An outline and scope Edgewater comprised for county …

The St. Joseph County Board of Commissioners has approved an out-of-state travel request for a circuit court employee. At the request of Judge Paul Stutesman, commissioners agreed to the plan for court administrator Kathryn Griffin to attend the National Association for Court Management’s annual conference in Scottsdale, Ariz. The six-day event takes place next month. As president of Michigan’s NACM, …