[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-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",[32,75,87,99],{"_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":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6501079,"mediaKeyId","5587012-ee79f11e087c33dbb46ec740941d5634","parentId",5587012,"title","Finance committee reviews hiring, pension study and bid overages; Maple Court drainage bids sent back for review","audioSeconds",283,"startMs",1511000,"endMs",1794000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5587012-ee79f11e087c33dbb46ec740941d5634&start=1511&end=1794","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5587012-ee79f11e087c33dbb46ec740941d5634/thumbnail_1511000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6501079/Berrien-County/Michigan/Finance-committee-reviews-hiring-pension-study-and-bid-overages-Maple-Court-drainage-bids-sent-back-for-review","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6501079-98baf8f1c71656949c6eee2a1755f071/orig.mp4?Expires=1770777368&Signature=IX5wFdGt1thLOkBj0KVKnlj0552C-aYBjvOTKOa96ExCd7uuxCRO7YdWVS-Y1RfEyH~xSu0pnVtyMIEa74KJhZjqOr9an~-8CXX0t-7VzhDZHo7qrlGkI890ev7az6JjG4PqoJndZNvoi4D-LIuh9L5fiIkfWeuJgrMzDUUoHsnjVLi52fHU5HulX4xFEZAwlm3Hn~BhOrfM703smWfoQ3EPNCLEDL1~Tx1zxvF00IsaI6GVf6eYvlZcGURykMbjUSbgKg7TR0swkCgd4NhcTfZk4~NXI~Kguuy7PG3PD6EMlf69-hdIHreAjB-OCIrPVmn7HtFwsw-m93HgEtPkrw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Berrien County MI ","date","2025-08-14T15:47:55.293Z","article","The Berrien County finance committee updated the full board on hiring, a required pension study and several contract modifications at the Aug. 14 meeting.

Administrator Gissett and committee members said the search for a new finance director is active, with more than 20 applicants and rounds of interviews scheduled beginning the next day. Brandice (staff) briefed commissioners that the job posting remains open during first-round interviews.

The committee discussed a required five-year actuarial study and said the county will contract GRS for the pension review; staff estimated the cost would range from $20,000 to $28,000 and said the funds are available and the study is required by the state.

Committee members approved contract modifications in three cases that exceeded existing estimates: a $10,901 overage for Coloma Charter Township, a $60,894.97 overage for Lakeside East Road in Chikaming Township, and a $38,544.43 change for Hagar Township. Committee members said those overages will be paid by the respective municipalities because they requested additional work.

The committee also reviewed bids for a Coloma Township Maple Court drainage project. Staff said the expected cost was about $170,000 but only one bid was received (Selka Construction) at $494,120. Committee members voted to send the bid back to the county law department to determine whether a typographical error or other issue explained the discrepancy; staff said the item will return to finance after legal review.

Commissioners noted that the overage costs in the three modified contracts are being picked up by the municipalities involved and that no final county approval is complete until finance returns with review results.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","08 14 2025 Board of Commissioner Meeting","oneSentenceSummary","County finance committee reported ongoing finance director recruitment, approved contract overages to be covered by municipalities, and sent a single high bid for Coloma Township Maple Court drainage back to the law department for review after a large discrepancy between expected and received bids.","taxTitle","Berrien County, Michigan","taxId",13478,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6501084,"County staff report road projects, digital alert app; resolution proposed to coordinate monarch habitat protections",241,1257000,1498000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5587012-ee79f11e087c33dbb46ec740941d5634&start=1257&end=1498","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5587012-ee79f11e087c33dbb46ec740941d5634/thumbnail_1257000.jpg","/articles/6501084/Berrien-County/Michigan/County-staff-report-road-projects-digital-alert-app-resolution-proposed-to-coordinate-monarch-habitat-protections","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6501084-764e1045194a12d790a3d542b1e89f9f/orig.mp4?Expires=1770777368&Signature=S1o-GBVEpgwstmnCD8-wyDKIKrQsQZf-a9dO-cDAtUXmSA8hEet0NkgF8cFpHUWpQAaD4HeHCfDIIYmNvICxDtxUhoEDK6Vt0GxaVLzkAjgq7FXZemeuBlBtaLw1g8wXe0ENTv9gCfuf7inNaPJpPj00Oo6r4JlFy3rmE41wJjANjTpkWi9nJ91qD0YBO4hlYlCW3jt4YihsPwUPrvhiYMUAepABHdBiHYtjApZMFL0yUNqYhUqijQAaMLInHZXvb-5xoIbfU87WODNsvRNTnuNKikJdbl9-fBLytNGDH2PWOHS4qYSik4iS7WZBvNNNBklZE47UyeKQ9MSWez-8yA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Berrien County Road Department told the Board of Commissioners on Aug. 14 that countywide seal coating is complete and hot-mix pothole patching continues; fog sealing is scheduled to begin Aug. 18.

Road Director Mark Heiliger also said the county launched a BCRD alert sign-up that lets residents get construction alerts via the website or phone. Heiliger described the Department's display at the county fair showing road designs and construction materials.

County staff reported that the county received a Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP) grant for the Red Arrow Highway project; a resolution with an identifying number ending in 298 was described as the county's measure to accept that award. The county applied for the grant in October, staff said.

Commissioners also heard about a resolution to enter an agreement with the County Road Association to handle permitting and regulatory steps related to monarch butterflies and milkweed should the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service list the monarch as endangered. Thaddeus and Mark discussed the measure; Thaddeus told commissioners the agreement would allow the County Road Association to handle permitting rather than each county project seeking individual federal permits.

A commissioner asked whether the agreement would affect mowing along county roads. Mark Heiliger replied it would leave the outermost three feet of the right of way unmowed; the area between the road and ditches would continue to be maintained, he said.

No formal roll-call votes on these two resolutions are recorded in the meeting transcript; staff presented them as items coming forward for commissioners' consideration.","Road department director Mark Heiliger told commissioners seal coating is finished and fog sealing begins Aug. 18; staff described a TAP grant award for Red Arrow Highway and a proposed agreement with the County Road Association to manage monarch butterfly/milkweed permitting if U.S. Fish and Wildlife lists the species.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6501089,"Sheriff's office reports 415 bookings in July; ICE holds and jail staffing included in monthly update",144,1050000,1194000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5587012-ee79f11e087c33dbb46ec740941d5634&start=1050&end=1194","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5587012-ee79f11e087c33dbb46ec740941d5634/thumbnail_1050000.jpg","/articles/6501089/Berrien-County/Michigan/Sheriffs-office-reports-415-bookings-in-July-ICE-holds-and-jail-staffing-included-in-monthly-update","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6501089-20a74c5ee615bd91abd74cf49bd3c094/orig.mp4?Expires=1770777368&Signature=LRd2-4u8qH~BYdvPHciX-3q5TxcS556dAuSrBNwskWIbIeqqvUx9LwthVYWwm4rg-dSZb2VNxo1-QDMKj5K93dUN074GzedNQcVBzF0iEWa7qoImpe4KmQfALaC4HEuM0a0v56SdXLPnV5g590Db20dge~oxooSBLOV5sPkNfnntjQoUQiFM6qVVHgNS2sWnJnFUXjgRfV~OS7zLgyPNULf0ULqt3HJiVi4KSlysBa56LCcn01rfZI72xWEAXHnrQXBOAqGGSHZT01aj6UUS5scmo4wo0AC5JwNpCt-Zea4d2HgxW~pzeWzOplnszAIpkqpgYCfa0wAurfcBFnzugA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Sheriff's officials presented the jail and public safety report at the Aug. 14 Berrien County Board meeting, saying the county booked 415 people during July and remains below capacity.

A sheriff's office staff member reported 313 male and 102 female inmates booked in July, for a total of 415. The presenter said nine inmates were transported to Jackson and 12 were picked up from out-of-state facilities.

Warrant service officer Chuck explained the sheriff's office's practice on immigration holds, saying the department adds monthly counts to increase transparency. \"It's not something new, to cooperate with an ICE hold,\" Chuck said. He described the county's approach as an administrative procedure when someone who is arrested is found to have immigration issues and said the county will continue to cooperate with ICE.

Sheriff's officials also reported 1,593 calls for service in July, with Niles Township having the most. The animal services department is currently short one staff member. The sheriff's office welcomed three new employees in July: jail deputies Kaylin Murphy and Ava Sandman and deputy William Howard, the report said.

Officials told commissioners the jail has been under capacity for an extended period and that the medical team has performed well. The sheriff's office added immigration-hold numbers to the regular monthly report in response to commissioners' earlier questions.

No policy changes or new directives regarding immigration holds were announced during the meeting.","At the Aug. 14 Berrien County meeting, sheriff's officials reported 415 jail bookings in July, six immigration holds for the month (22 year-to-date), ongoing medical staffing praise, and staffing changes in animal control and new deputy hires.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6501093,"Berrien County honors deputy whose quick action cleared blocked tracheotomy at jail",114,605000,719000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5587012-ee79f11e087c33dbb46ec740941d5634&start=605&end=719","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5587012-ee79f11e087c33dbb46ec740941d5634/thumbnail_605000.jpg","/articles/6501093/Berrien-County/Michigan/Berrien-County-honors-deputy-whose-quick-action-cleared-blocked-tracheotomy-at-jail","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6501093-f28e2414bd31c1c6ed4a670ac766547b/orig.mp4?Expires=1770777368&Signature=M4lU7ghmL8k8zSAygUkPPYHtA1fE~X-br6JWwtPaNfpsLN2JsN8CyW5uk-jkB0-jqySEBv94SKvznvC0W1fJ0-N7IfyMWBxDclOD3RH4EPWahV~k-TlUR5Gui9ZANglhEvsD-JQuwlOahTDye7EMDYb6pUGwDtUaxgUevRP4x~FbTSIsS6UDhFUELAl3r2ZysgtBKJ-NLORbcZLf-T5HsH-cHmIp6MjKeaoFePZPcdlRdTATzR0IQCGwy50NoKRoBDPNjKyd95oCnn~dxHYQ-4~AFrPV88N2twqCRcBkkIh5uzxGwzxwId9WaZJqQoYX8MU1m1t0757fslAuAYaF7A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Berrien County honored Deputy Bailey Kessler on Aug. 14 after sheriff's officials described her actions in a June 10 medical emergency at the county jail.

Undersheriff Tim told commissioners that a female detainee's tracheotomy became blocked after a breathing treatment, leaving her with dangerously low oxygen levels. \"She took charge even over some of the medical staff that was present,\" Tim said. He described Kessler's efforts to clear the obstruction and her use of an ambu bag to restore oxygen: \"If it wasn't for her quick thinking, things could have been different there.\" The detainee was transported by medic to a hospital and returned to the facility a few hours later, Tim said.

Sheriff Hite, Captain Selena Herbert and Deputy Justin Williams joined Tim at the meeting as county commissioners presented a certificate of accommodation to Kessler. Undersheriff Tim said the deputy attempted multiple methods to clear the airway and then \"hooked up an oxygen tube to the ambu bag and used that with her quick thinking to free up that blockage,\" allowing the detainee to breathe again.

The presentation took place during the public meeting of the Berrien County Board of Commissioners; commissioners and sheriff's office leaders used the recognition to highlight the role of deputies and jail medical staff in responding to on-site emergencies.

No formal vote was required for the recognition. The county recorded the presentation in the meeting minutes and acknowledged the sheriff's office for bringing the award to the public forum.

The sheriff's office and county officials did not provide additional medical details about the detainee or the exact nature of subsequent treatment at the hospital.","Berrien County presented a certificate of accommodation to Deputy Bailey Kessler after she freed a blocked tracheotomy on an inmate on June 10, restoring oxygen and allowing the person to be transported to hospital; sheriff's officials praised her response at the Aug. 14 county meeting.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Finance committee reviews hiring, pension study and bid overages; Maple Court drainage bids sent back for review

County staff report road projects, digital alert app; resolution proposed to coordinate monarch habitat protections

Sheriff's office reports 415 bookings in July; ICE holds and jail staffing included in monthly update

Berrien County honors deputy whose quick action cleared blocked tracheotomy at jail