[{"_1":2,"_122":-5,"_123":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,74,86,98,110],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":56,"_73":56},"mediaId",6079538,"mediaKeyId","2955498-2d123d56c31958020764dfd1f6540fb6","parentId",2955498,"title","Public commenters urge county leadership to plan for solar development and farmland preservation","audioSeconds",231,"startMs",2727000,"endMs",2958000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2955498-2d123d56c31958020764dfd1f6540fb6&start=2727&end=2958","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2955498-2d123d56c31958020764dfd1f6540fb6/thumbnail_2727000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6079538/Berrien-County/Michigan/Public-commenters-urge-county-leadership-to-plan-for-solar-development-and-farmland-preservation","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6079538-8e7982b86a4815b311b75c2890fa06fa/orig.mp4?Expires=1771206165&Signature=kbwJuhOBTafb4O25n~nb6-w6B3STMR8KxFgVI0B8Tmqc7YJ04erLrAVaWVncpPGwecAlfblgc9J5Ua7n6XxCDnLMMqhLSnVPlc0iz7lyImCBHLBBdyO0-gyn7zz-uulrylKpa54n5dud2LUcnwdhH76N3Lu3pfNm4Zo9wi5c1v-SF-AeLel2Nk4MWNFo40K7sdIoCwdMD0LHY5Q2Hpb~Bpx-WI7UczWir9A~HiOpygLKd5lU2glKzIbF2XCOr4cwJgtvUK0oE08ioiaPP3FejPDorURzCIpvBmWkx7pRt4x8O1HRFTQc6BIc44~yfp-Qt39PCIW3YYzZr1wPasGnCw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","","date","2025-04-11T01:58:01.537Z","article","During general public comments at the April 9 meeting, a Hager Township planning commissioner urged the Berrien County Board of Commissioners to take a leadership role in preserving farmland and coordinating municipal responses to proposed solar projects.

Peter Calovis (introduced at the microphone as a Hager Township planner and member of the local planning commission) told commissioners there is a pressing need for county-level strategy, sample ordinances and a searchable database of local solar ordinances to help townships and municipalities coordinate responses to utility-scale solar proposals. Calovis specifically cited “PA 2 30 3” in his remarks and asked commissioners which committee he should approach to bring detailed proposals.

Other members of the public offered brief remarks: Sharon Brown said she and others plan to remain engaged in county efforts and asked where they could participate; Walter Hager made brief remarks and asked questions about unrelated local items. The public-comment segment did not result in formal board direction in the transcript; Calovis requested guidance on an appropriate committee to address the issue, but no committee referral is recorded in the meeting remarks provided.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","04 10 2025 Board of Commissioner Meeting","oneSentenceSummary","During public comment, a Hager Township planning commissioner urged Berrien County to coordinate municipal ordinances, build a searchable database of local solar ordinances, and develop a countywide strategy to preserve farmland amid rising solar development.","taxTitle","Berrien County, Michigan","taxId",13478,"location","headline","shortSummary",{"_33":75,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":76,"_41":77,"_43":78,"_45":79,"_47":80,"_49":81,"_51":82,"_53":83,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":84,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":85,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":56,"_73":56},6079543,"Treasurer reports $2.34 million investment income; 134 parcels set for tax sale",314,1717000,2031000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2955498-2d123d56c31958020764dfd1f6540fb6&start=1717&end=2031","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2955498-2d123d56c31958020764dfd1f6540fb6/thumbnail_1717000.jpg","/articles/6079543/Berrien-County/Michigan/Treasurer-reports-234-million-investment-income-134-parcels-set-for-tax-sale","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6079543-37a674b4f5c2c52fb06723c81df52954/orig.mp4?Expires=1771206165&Signature=Tm9u4A0Sxbuo0cJz2GHOrUixMgX6J2rgSgRgBw2Vx2UwrVaM3SVcuIDgDndEkEYr3wgw50TtaCqPW~2MFW4L~qZ0lYqjgkqwOmelFDxnKqK0KxrHKiYu94NifzydGYUZk~Yvb3D1Wxs5ZQHso37x7SH4YB5GmklP4c2Wogod7qmMZKKeD6V-WEXFyEBI6SqiX6LfhEHtqqkiJCx~7TrpKS4x6Lq8duGZM9MJUQeTbYsdR0BuNp0BWrIRQDDadiUwxVdjvkUsPbIqCxlJS4WPDsBoQDIxuJdaQhAkQwJ2COYaFcBJXkhaVDuhXLEmpbPpLDdW6a3GExwRsRy-W6asng__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Berrien County Treasurer Shelly White updated the board on county investments and tax foreclosure activity at the April 9 meeting, reporting $2,340,000 in investment income and that 134 parcels will be posted for the county tax sale.

White told the finance committee that the county spreads deposits across local financial institutions and also uses METER Public Funds (a third‑party manager). She said the county’s investment program generated $2,340,000 in returns in the reporting period. Finance committee members asked that a representative from the external manager, identified as Mike Klowak, meet with the committee in May to review the portfolio and performance.

On foreclosures, the treasurer said the tax-sale process has narrowed to 134 parcels that will be listed on the online sale after outreach, payment-plan offers, and other interventions. White said when the county began the process earlier in 2024 there were about 1,676 parcels in various stages of delinquency; after administrative work the list to be sold is now 134. She said the first online sale will start in August with a second sale likely in October or November.

White also briefed the finance committee about Pipestone Lake and MDNR delays caused by ice removal work; the county is waiting for MDNR resources to resume work on a dock project. The board did not take a formal vote on investment policy at the meeting; staff requested the committee schedule a May presentation by the external manager.","Berrien County Treasurer Shelly White told commissioners the county earned $2,340,000 in investment returns and that 134 parcels will go to the upcoming tax sale after foreclosure procedures.",{"_33":87,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":88,"_41":89,"_43":90,"_45":91,"_47":92,"_49":93,"_51":94,"_53":95,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":96,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":97,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":56,"_73":56},6079547,"County narrows remaining capital funds; $3.5 million set aside for juvenile center utility separation",301,1388000,1689000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2955498-2d123d56c31958020764dfd1f6540fb6&start=1388&end=1689","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2955498-2d123d56c31958020764dfd1f6540fb6/thumbnail_1388000.jpg","/articles/6079547/Berrien-County/Michigan/County-narrows-remaining-capital-funds-35-million-set-aside-for-juvenile-center-utility-separation","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6079547-0e95e0003bf54b0ae6743dea4fa16706/orig.mp4?Expires=1771206165&Signature=ZMRREmqghA9DOHvAyNmHUorhuGqm~zQnKt4N5GlWAYrFnur4XBkp4hPGSJZt~RUYuGdQ37XvhMKL6cGllYWQaVSKPDegEcVxZKUFudsLW4GUMGD-QJMFBNCfhkPIrTo6tYlM8A5XGJcORrnxOqXov-v0ui38-B6x07GxTp4ai3nBuqJs-10wqE3-DJO-VykDZB-DwLRv0qY2EGPhiE9p8naHXsL9RWvYrDEemWcRlBlej4YOXlSPTZlj55E0ept9dgdn6kIzJeenheqKdd2djMjhebfCLosuJXB4CnjgwmxTFM61IZXGg~0iMQ094lOLoypg3UKGWKOwjPiswp5V2g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Berrien County officials told commissioners they have roughly $7.6 million remaining from a previously appropriated $15 million capital fund, and recommended reserving about $3.5 million of that to address utility separation and life-safety upgrades at the county juvenile center.

Don Trail presented a spreadsheet to the board that lists completed projects, projects in progress, projects out to bid, and projects on hold. Trail told commissioners the county prioritized projects 1 through 5, with No. 1 reflecting life-safety needs that have largely been completed. With the remaining balance from the $15 million appropriation, Trail and others advised setting aside $3.5 million to separate the juvenile center from a companion water and sewer connection with the hospital so the juvenile center has its own independent systems.

Commissioners discussed the recommendation and directed Brian (last name not specified in the meeting record) and Don Trail to proceed with work to ensure the juvenile center’s utilities and identified life-safety items (fire suppression, alarm system and employee-impacting items) are addressed. That direction, as recorded in the meeting, would reduce the pool of funds available for other projects to roughly $2.5 million and may postpone lower-priority or “cosmetic” projects currently on hold.

Road department updates were also reported: the Coloma Road bridge is open and crews are shifting from cold patching to hot patching as asphalt plants come back online. The board did not take a separate formal vote on reallocating capital funds at the full-board meeting; staff said they had “the go-ahead” to proceed with the juvenile-center work and will bring project specifics and any required formal resolutions to future meetings.","Berrien County staff told commissioners the county has roughly $7.6 million left of a $15 million capital appropriation and recommended setting aside about $3.5 million to separate the juvenile center's water and sewer systems and address life-safety needs.",{"_33":99,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":100,"_41":101,"_43":102,"_45":103,"_47":104,"_49":105,"_51":106,"_53":107,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":108,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":109,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":56,"_73":56},6079552,"Sheriff seeks contract with Canteen for jail meals; finance granted waiver for time-sensitive procurement",474,1246000,1720000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2955498-2d123d56c31958020764dfd1f6540fb6&start=1246&end=1720","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2955498-2d123d56c31958020764dfd1f6540fb6/thumbnail_1246000.jpg","/articles/6079552/Berrien-County/Michigan/Sheriff-seeks-contract-with-Canteen-for-jail-meals-finance-granted-waiver-for-time-sensitive-procurement","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6079552-6f0b1e5ba8c04138825b6d750742b761/orig.mp4?Expires=1771206165&Signature=nfZ5Gqptfq7crsW0-o0dCioGiqRXwlhqRbvAQwwRevySDhp62B9UY~MTF2C13U8q991bMA5M~9AFbj5bdIscVgzIQ-HfUzovzVadT5BHC2lkc~2uv9awxhHog6EWzePUXwRHi8QDgZenEOz4-8eEqp8RFYb98svAZYPMJ2XsMEQ5VcfSlkThZMNL2PjLTF5wv7eJATKvEPW1zG~Nub6TOWn2UV3l6n2AmuKYHsIcEFyoRtuqQeoYRQTkACIhG7t-vi7seAF6sE1IW7kjxK-zm~SDhiCbPbE0AN06zQqIcVeN8txj3~lz6e~JlEnhWKlvrvKLQkkrRk2ofw1siLqLlQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Berrien County officials discussed a proposed shift to a private contractor for jail food services during the April 9 meeting, and the finance committee granted a time-sensitive waiver to allow expedited procurement.

Sheriff's business was reported to the board by Dave O'Rath, who said the sheriff and undersheriff met with commissioners and noted several long-term employees are retiring, including Deputy Jason Long and Captain Randy Miller. O'Rath said the sheriff’s office recommends contracting food services to a vendor, and that Canteen was the company suggested; the sheriff told the finance committee it had obtained a waiver to accelerate the procurement because of timing needs.

At finance, the sheriff obtained a waiver to deviate from the normal procurement timeline so the county could proceed with the Canteen contract, the committee chair reported. That waiver was described as time sensitive and later will be followed by a formal resolution; meeting remarks referred to a resolution number ending in “190” associated with the sheriff’s department. The board did not vote on the contract at the meeting; committee members said they were “perfectly fine” with the waiver and that a formal resolution would be presented at a later meeting.

Commissioners and staff also recognized longtime jail staff for their service and noted the county’s kitchen is in good condition and will be used by the proposed vendor. The meeting record does not include a final contract, dollar amounts, or vendor contract language. Those details will appear when the formal resolution and contract are placed on a future agenda and published with committee or board materials.","Berrien County sheriff’s office proposes contracting jail food services to Canteen; finance committee granted a waiver to expedite the procurement and the board expects a resolution on the matter at a future meeting.",{"_33":111,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":112,"_41":113,"_43":114,"_45":115,"_47":116,"_49":117,"_51":118,"_53":119,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":120,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":121,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":56,"_73":56},6079556,"Berrien County commissioners approve minutes and three consent resolutions",353,906000,1259000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2955498-2d123d56c31958020764dfd1f6540fb6&start=906&end=1259","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2955498-2d123d56c31958020764dfd1f6540fb6/thumbnail_906000.jpg","/articles/6079556/Berrien-County/Michigan/Berrien-County-commissioners-approve-minutes-and-three-consent-resolutions","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6079556-6572dc0d602ffb93ea41a49d34d3f3af/orig.mp4?Expires=1771206165&Signature=G06n93Fg0Puq64oKwMvHHL~JpD8DNiRf9JXx7v4zTCSwJVQffo88Pga5auZ6hYRtSPt409wyBpyuauQmvZUuioBDDo71SYmvkzatk-qvOS7EkL59J1D6WPdk7Zsc8ZZWUgmh0VlyzIxiyEHrhXyE2r8EPfXKgO5fRUIBxNCPMC0OP-CchOnAupxBp~-xLprdT0g~v6amfbyFXefkhpvPJzZRcFNfmrRODXA9YWAwB0yu29I3htdDmsbZmcNk1QxNkXORH4~3qhHHilW-Hpo6pyA4a6qhnmKpcuYsyzIYSoibfjw6tXScpb~rPN3nV5e9Hw5WxYB91xwSGX6RGNaKrQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Berrien County Board of Commissioners approved the minutes from last week and adopted three resolutions on the consent calendar at their April 9 meeting.

The board first voted to approve the minutes after a motion from Commissioner Pitchford and a second from Commissioner Vollrath. With no discussion recorded, the board approved the minutes by voice vote.

The board then considered a voluminous consent calendar. Commissioner Freeling moved to approve the consent calendar and Commissioner Harrison seconded. The clerk conducted a roll call and the recorded votes were all in the affirmative; the chair announced the consent calendar and its three resolutions approved.

The meeting record does not provide full ordinance or resolution numbers for the items on the consent calendar other than references to resolution endings; more detailed documentation will appear with the formal agenda packet and minutes.","The Berrien County Board of Commissioners approved last week’s minutes and passed three resolutions on the consent calendar during the April 9 meeting by roll call vote.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Public commenters urge county leadership to plan for solar development and farmland preservation

Treasurer reports $2.34 million investment income; 134 parcels set for tax sale

County narrows remaining capital funds; $3.5 million set aside for juvenile center utility separation

Sheriff seeks contract with Canteen for jail meals; finance granted waiver for time-sensitive procurement

Berrien County commissioners approve minutes and three consent resolutions