County Commission

St. Joseph County’s Board of Commissioners agreed Tuesday to cover a six-digit dollar amount request from Community Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services. The commission unanimously approved an allocation in excess of $168,000 to the agency. What was labeled a one-time request for the funds from CMH sparked a lengthy discussion by commissioners. The five-member panel criticized state legislators for …

Action by the state’s elected leaders and money are key solutions to improving the condition of roads in St. Joseph County and the rest of the state. The solution was detailed Thursday by Christopher Bolt, engineer-manager of the St. Joseph County Road Commission. The Centreville-based agency staged a first-of-its-kind “road summit” that drew more than 60 people to Centreville. Bolt …

A formality approved Tuesday by the St. Joseph County Board of Commissioners allows certain employees in about 12 different departments to work a four-day week. The memorandum of understanding between the county board and AFSCME general unit gives department heads the option of allowing their employees to work four, 10-hour days instead of five, eight-hour days. Human resources director Elishia …

Two unrelated matters of business were approved Tuesday by the St. Joseph County Board of Commissioners. Commissioners endorsed an agreement with Florida-based MGT of America for cost-allocation plan services. County administrator Pat Yoder said the agreement is geared toward the county’s Friend of the Court and Juvenile Court departments to reimburse their expenses through the state. Also, the employment of …

The St. Joseph County Board of Commissioners has agreed to allow alcohol during a fundraiser staged next month by the Three Rivers Area Chamber of Commerce. During Tuesday’s commission meeting, county administrator Pat Yoder said the chamber is staging its second annual Treasures of St. Joseph County in July at Rawson’s King Mill Park in Leonidas Township. As it did …

The St. Joseph County Road Commission is inviting the public to attend a road summit next week. Set to take place May 29 at the St. Joseph County Intermediate School District, the first-of-its-kind summit will cover a variety of issues related to the agency. A tentative agenda for the gathering includes an overview of the county’s road system, comments from …

St. Joseph County will see an increase in the amount of time  is devoted by equalization director Tony Meyaard. County commissioners last week approved an agreement where Meyaard’s services will be split evenly between St. Joseph and Cass counties. Meyaard for the past year had worked three days a week in Cassopolis and twice weekly in Centreville. Meyaard will remain …

The St. Joseph County Animal Control Department has been chosen to receive a $10,000 grant for spay and neuter services. In a correspondence to county commissioners last week, director Tom Miller said the service is performed before animals are adopted from the Centreville agency. Miller indicated he hopes the measure will help increase adoption rates at the shelter. By unanimous …

Three Rivers Community Schools has lost its director of operations, as Steve Lucas took a job with the Cass County Road Commission. Lucas will become managing director of the Cass County Road Commission. He is stepping into a job previously held by Christopher Bolt, who was splitting the task with St. Joseph County. A 20-year school district employee, Lucas’ last …

The St. Joseph County Board of Commissioners has reached an employment agreement with Lori Barczak to serve as juvenile day treatment supervisor. During action at last week’s commission meeting, the five-member panel OK’d the employment agreement, including a $41,000 annual salary plus benefits. Barczak’s hiring is under the condition of an at-will employee.