County Commission

St. Joseph County’s Board of Commissioners will address a few housecleaning matters during its 5 p.m. meeting today. Assembling one day later than usual because of the New Year holiday, commissioners are expected to revise policies related to its MERS hybrid pension plan and its health insurance program; review addendums to employment contracts with Lori Barczak and Patricia Kane; and …

St. Joseph County Board of Commissioners Chairman Rick Shaffer compiled a list of 2012 accomplishments and noteworthy tidbits relevant to county-related matters. During last week’s final county commission meeting of the year, Shaffer reviewed a list of 31 items he noted as highlights. Shaffer also added he appreciates the work his fellow commissioners put in in 2012. The list of …

Three members of the St. Joseph County Planning Commission, whose terms expire at the end of the year, were reappointed to three-year terms. The St. Joseph County Board of Commissioners last week agreed to reappoint Edward Bell of Colon, Lon Huffman of Mendon and Dennis Wilson of Sturgis. In a separate matter, Three Rivers resident Douglas Lockwood was reappointed to …

St. Joseph County and MSU Extension Services have reached an agreement for the 2013 calendar year. The base agreement will allow the county access to the full range of the extension’s statewide programs. For 2013, the county’s agreement with the extension office is $130,000, which was approved last week by the county’s board of commissioners. Payment is to be made …

A partnership with Southwest Michigan First was one of the St. Joseph County Board of Commissioners highlights in 2012, according to board chairman Rick Shaffer. Shaffer last week presented a list of the commission’s 2012 highlights, which also included an agreement for additional staffing in the MSU Extension office, the revision of an Animal Control ordinance and the creation of …

A proposal to purchase a dog for therapeutic and calming purposes has been tabled by the St. Joseph County Board of Commissioners. The proposal was raised last month, when Linda Baker, victims’ rights coordinator who works for the county prosecutor’s office, offered to keep the dog privately but bring it to the courthouse for the benefit of victims or witnesses …

The group of five returning St. Joseph County Board of Commission members were sworn in during a brief ceremony this week. Commissioners John Dobberteen, Al Balog, Robin Baker, Don Eaton and Rick Shaffer took their oath of office before County Clerk Pattie Bender prior to Tuesday’s final board of commissioners meeting of 2012. The board is shrinking from seven members …

Five incumbents returning to the St. Joseph County Board of Commissioners were sworn in for their two-year terms by County Clerk Pattie Bender this week. Rick Shaffer, John Dobberteen, Al Balog, Don Eaton and Robin Baker were sworn in during a brief ceremony prior to Tuesday’s county commission meeting. Balog, Eaton and Baker ran unopposed in the August primary, while …

Two members of the St. Joseph County Board of Commissioners were honored Tuesday for their dedication to the seven-member board. Larry Walton and Jerry Ware were recognized with proclamations, as Tuesday was the last meeting for the pair before the commission shrinks to five members starting Jan. 1. Walton joined the board in July and Ware has been a member …

Resolutions honoring a trio of county officials highlight today’s St. Joseph County Board of Commissioners meeting. The board’s final meeting of 2012 will see resolutions honoring District Court Judge William Welty, and commissioners Jerry Ware and Larry Walton. Welty is retiring after a 22-year tenure as judge, while Ware and Walton are leaving the county board, which is shrinking from …