Berrien County commissioners approve appointments, adopt consent items and hear updates on roads, parks and personnel

The Berrien County Board of Commissioners approved two committee appointments, adopted a consent calendar that included an added resolution and heard departmental updates during its meeting on May 22.

The board voted to appoint Steve (surname recorded in the meeting as Vrablick/Vrabelic) to the Community Corrections Advisory Board and to appoint Joe Stepich to the county planning commission to serve the balance of a vacated term. Both appointments were approved by voice vote after committee concurrence.

Why it matters: The appointments fill advisory seats that feed recommendations to county departments and affect oversight of corrections programming and planning matters. The consent calendar and related votes moved multiple routine items and resolutions forward.

During committee reports and department briefings, Road Department Director Mark Heiliger told commissioners that hot-mix asphalt production resumed May 1 and that crews have been busy clearing storm damage, removing more than 30 fallen trees countywide. Heiliger said the county expects increased demand on locally produced asphalt as nearby I‑94 construction continues, and cautioned about potential slippage in local supply once interstate work ramps up.

Parks Director Jill Adams reported on storm-related damage at Love Creek and other parks, the installation of new playground equipment at Silver Beach pending final inspections, improvements to concession facilities and a new entrance lane at Silver Beach. Adams and board members noted volunteer and staff cleanup work and warned that some projects will not be finished until late summer because of equipment timing.

Human resources director Kristen Reynolds briefed committees on personnel matters scheduled for board action, including job reclassifications and wage adjustments for nonunion positions. Commissioners also heard that the Police Officers Labor Council (FOP) has moved to leave its union; personnel staff presented that as an informational item to be processed through HR procedures.

Finance committee figures reported $2,488,949.59 in general bills and $196,433.86 in road department bills processed for this cycle. The board discussed a multi-year lease for county-owned farmland on Napier, currently rented and proposed to continue for a multi-year term through 2027 pending final action.

Other items reviewed included: a state contract for GIS services with Environmental Systems Research Inc.; a purchase process to procure 55 holographic gun sights for the sheriff's department (bids solicited, lowest responsive bid to be accepted by the sheriff if it meets specifications); a waiver to stock sidewalk‑paving salt; and a proposed partnership with the county conservation district on soil and sedimentation review and permitting.

On the agenda was a resolution related to Michigan wetlands board credits that the committee tabled for further review; county staff said they will meet with relevant staff to answer outstanding questions before the full board acts.

The meeting closed with general comments from the public — including a call for more night meetings to increase public attendance — and announcements that the board will hold a voluntary orientation and site tour on Thursday, June 5 in Three Oaks. Commissioners also noted the recent death of former Drain Commissioner Roger Zilke and recognized staff work that identified an assessing error that avoided an estimated $300,000 impact to the county’s tax roll this year.

Votes at a glance: The board approved minutes and closed-session minutes (correction noted: one closed-session vote had 11 voting, not 12). The board approved the consent calendar, including the added resolution referenced as ending in 5237, by roll-call vote (members recorded as voting "Yes" in the roll call recorded during the meeting). The appointments to the Community Corrections Advisory Board and the Berrien County Planning Commission were approved by voice vote. One resolution referenced as ending in 6239 (Michigan wetlands credits) was tabled for further committee review rather than adopted.

The board set its next night meeting for 6 p.m. Thursday, June 5, in Three Oaks and announced the offices will be closed for Memorial Day.