Berrien County commissioners approved three nominees to the Berrien County Planning Commission on a separate roll-call vote after an extended discussion about whether to reappoint Alex Little, who serves in Benton Harbor government and was reported to have attendance below county policy thresholds.

The finance committee had presented a slate of appointments, but commissioners removed the planning commission nominees from the omnibus approval to consider them separately. During discussion several commissioners said they valued the institutional knowledge Little brings as a long-time municipal official, but others said his attendance record did not meet county policy and raised concerns about his availability now that he was newly hired as city manager.

A motion to approve the three planning commission nominees was moved by Orville and supported by Freeling. The roll-call vote passed; one commissioner, Jabrill, voted no. The clerk recorded the roll call during the vote and confirmed the three nominees were appointed.

Commissioners who spoke urged community leaders in Benton Harbor to encourage city residents and officials to apply for county boards going forward, stressing the county's interest in geographic and demographic representation across municipalities. Several commissioners also said the county could revisit any appointment if the appointee's availability became an ongoing problem.

The discussion occurred during the regular meeting under the board appointments agenda item. Other board appointments on the wider list were approved earlier in the meeting by a separate vote.