The St. Joseph County Board of Commissioners is seeking St. Joseph County residents interested in serving on county advisory boards and commissions. Applicants may download and fill out the Citizen's Interest Form and send it to the County Administrator's Office. Questions may be directed to the County Administrator's Office at (269) 467-5617.
Please Note: Not all county boards and commissions have citizen members. Special qualifications are required of citizen members for some boards and commissions.
The St. Joseph County Agricultural Preservation Board is responsible for overseeing the County's Farmland Preservation Program. The purpose of the program is to protect farmland in order to maintain a long-term business environment for agriculture in the county, preserve the rural character and scenic attributes of the county, enhance important environmental benefits, and maintain the quality of life of county residents. Specific responsibilities of the board include reviewing and providing oversight in scoring applications to the program according to the adopted selection criteria, approving restrictions and permitted uses under agricultural conservation easements, and establishing monitoring procedures to ensure compliance with agricultural conservation easements.
The Board of Public Works assists local jurisdictions to secure low rate bonds for water or sewer improvements. The Board of Public Works consists of seven board members appointed by the Board of Commissioners for a term of three years.
The St. Joseph County 9-1-1 Central Dispatch Policy Board is made up of 9 members from the Law Enforcement, Fire, and Medical Community and a Citizen member. The County Administrator and Director serve as ex-official members. This board provides direction and oversight to the Director and sets recommended policy and budget. All meetings are open to the public. Please call (269) 467- 4195 if special accommodations are requested.
The Commission on Aging (COA) provides services to County residents age 60 and older and their families. Services include hot meals at Senior centers and participating restaurants, senior activities, art classes, wellness classes and other education opportunities, reduced fare bus tickets, escorted transportation to medical appointments, meals delivered to the home bound, light housekeeping, personal care assistance, respite care, minor home repair, yard work, information and referral, Medicare/Medicaid assistance, prescription assistance, caregiver support services advocacy and the Senior Action Newsletter.
The Community Corrections Advisory Board reviews topics related to new or changing issues in corrections. The primary mission of the CCAB is to develop, implement, monitor, and evaluate programs that provide alternatives to incarceration for non-violent offenders in order to reduce jail and prison overcrowding.
The Branch-Hillsdale-St. Joseph County Board of Health is responsible for the execution of duties set forth in Michigan Act 368 of 1978, commonly known as the Public Health Code. The mission of the Community Health Agency is to provide quality and accessible local public health ervices with fiscal responsibility.
Community Mental Health is a comprehensive mental healthcare agency service children, adults and individuals, with developmental disabilities. As the public mental health authority for St. Joseph County, CMH provides counseling, family preservation, consultation, day programs, case management, residential and respite care, screening and assessment, and referral to impatient critical care. A 24-hour emergency services response 1-800-622-3967 provides urgent care. Fees are based on ability to pay with all insurances accepted.
The St. Joseph County Conservation District was established in 1948 to assist farmers in creating soil & water conservation plans. Since then the Conservation District has grown to include all stakeholders within the county. The focus is still agriculture & working with farmers to create conservation plans, but we also work with partner organizations to ensure the county's largest natural resource, water, remains a viable resource.
The Department of Human Services administers a variety of income maintenance and social service programs, which are State and State/Federal funded. Income maintenance programs include Food Stamps, AFDC, Medical Assistance (Medicaid), State Assistance, and State Emergency relieve. Social Service programs are divided into two broad program areas intended to serve either families or adults. Family services include Children’s Protective Services, Children’s Foster Care, Adoption, Delinquency and Prevention Services. Various Adult Services include the Michigan Opportunities and Skills Training program, as well as others intended to maximize the independence of elderly and/or disabled adults.
The vision of the St. Joseph County Economic Development Corporation is to provide the place of choice for new and existing businesses.
The Board of Canvassers certifies each election held in St. Joseph County. They are also responsible for conducting recounts and inspecting ballot boxes.
The Human Services Commission (HSC) was established to give local control of state funding for families with children ages 0-18. The HSC does not create new governmental bodies; it increases the efficiency of existing bodies. The HSC forges alliances, creates shared visions and mobilizes resources to serve families whose needs are now met by multiple agencies.
The Jury Board governs the selection of juries in the Circuit, District and Probate Courts. The Jury Board consists of three qualified electors of the County appointed by the Governor or on recommendation of the Circuit Judge, not more than two of whom shall be members of the same political party.
The Local Emergency Planning Committee (LEPC) is charged with working with the Hazardous Materials (302) sites in the County to assure that they have a site plan in place to respond to a spill or release of hazardous substances. The plan is shared with the jurisdictional fire department so that it complies with the "Firefighter Right to Know" act. The LEPC is comprised of individuals representing responders, planners, government officials, and experts in the field.
Provides affordable, diverse, year round outdoor recreation opportunities for residents and guests of the County. The commission is responsible for the care of all County parks, maintenance and scheduling of use.
The Planning Commission is responsible for reviewing rezoning requests, changes in zoning ordinances, and P.A. 116 applications, and is also responsible for implementation of the County Master Plan. The Planning Commission can also sponsor educational activities to assist local governments.
The Road Commission is charged with the responsibility for construction and maintenance of the St. Joseph County road system.
The Committee is responsible for the County’s Solid Waste Plan, recycling efforts, and all items associated with solid waste.
The purpose of the St. Joseph County Transportation Authority is to plan, promote, finance, acquire, improve, enlarge, extend, own, construct, operate, maintain, replace, and contract for public transportation service by means of one or more public transportation systems and public transportation facilities within the jurisdictional boundaries of St. Joseph County.
The Dept of Veterans' Services assists veterans with filing disability claims or pensions, health care applications to Veterans' Health Care Facilities, or burial benefits for qualifying applicants.
The Michigan Veterans' Trust Fund is set up to assist qualifying veterans and/or their family with emergent needs.
The Workforce Development Board (WDB) oversees workforce development programs and services for a four-county area that includes Branch, Calhoun, Kalamazoo and St. Joseph Counties.
The Board meets quarterly on the second Friday of the month, during the months of Feb, May, Sept & Nov, from 8:00-9:30 a.m. Meeting locations vary and travel should be expected.
In addition to attending the quarterly meetings, new members are expected to serve on the Monitoring Committee which meets approximately every other month on the second Wednesday, usually from 8:00-9:30 a.m. Meeting locations for this committee also vary and travel should be expected.
Additional Information regarding the Workforce Development Board for Michigan Works! Southwest (current members, meeting schedules, agendas and minutes) is posted at http://www.michiganworkssouthwest.org/about/board/
