COLDWATER, MI (WTVB) – The Branch County Board of Commissioners formally approved a request from Prosecutor Zach Stempien to fill the Chief Assistant Prosecutors position on Tuesday.
Whoever is hired would take over for Val White who was relieved of her duties on May 28 by Stempien. Commissioners Tom Mathew and Tim Stoll expressed some concerns about White’s sudden departure during last Thursday’s work session.
The new hire would start at a wage of $79,814 per year with new hire benefits. If a current employee fills the position, their salary will move to the next level within the proper pay scale for the position.
On another matter, Commissioners approved a request from Stempien to hire a contractual attorney/legal intern and a contractual investigator. The temporary positions are being made possible thanks to a $25,000 reimbursable grant that has been awarded to the Prosecutors office through the Michigan State Police Coronavirus Emergency Supplemental Funding program. The money can be used to resolve the backlog of cases caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. The grant expires on December 31. The County would need to pay for the contract positions and then apply for reimbursement.
Commissioners also formally approved the posting for the soon to open Magistrate’s position in Branch County District Court. Current Magistrate and former long time District Court Judge David Coyle plans to retire from the bench at the end of the year. The position has a starting salary of $81,189 per year, with full benefits. Due to the training required, District Court officials want to fill the position by November 1.
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