COLDWATER, MI (WTVB) – Branch County Commissioners are ready to take formal action on adding six Sheriff’s Department Road Patrol deputies in the 2024 budget.
They brought forward a recommendation from a five person committee appointed by Commissioners during Thursday’s work session to next Tuesday’s regular meeting.
The committee was made up of Sheriff John Pollack, Treasurer Steve Rutz, Branch County Administrator Bud Norman along with County Commissioners Tim Stoll and Alan McClelland
Stoll went over the recommendation with Norman during Thursday’s meeting.
Stoll felt it was time to get things moving.
But he understood concerns raised about using a 170 page Cost Allocation Plan to help fund the new deputies.
Branch County Commission on Aging Executive Director Amy Duff is among those who have spoken out about the C.A.P.. She said they may have to dip into their fund balance during the first year the plan is implemented and Duff feels this is not a long term strategy.
Duff said that leaves them with two options.
Stoll’s motion stated the Commissioners would follow the committee’s recommendation to fund the additional deputies but that the Board would continue to explore other options.
It’s estimated the additional deputies would cost the county between $721,000 and $1 million annually over the next seven years.
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