COLDWATER, MI (WTVB) – Branch County Commissioners approved the addition of six Sheriff’s Department Road Patrol deputies in the 2024 budget on Tuesday which will make the department a 24 hour operation for the first time in 12 years.
They approved a recommendation from a five person Road Patrol Funding committee appointed by Commissioners. 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.
To fund the new deputies, it was recommended ARPA funds be used for the next three years, Opioid funds be used for the next 10 years and that the balance come from a cost allocation plan which would affect 911, the Commission on Aging, the Department of Public Works, the Public Defenders Office, Building Inspection and the Branch County Road Commission. The county will also increase charges for services, look at efficiencies and make reductions with the Sheriff’s Department on overtime. The option of a future Headlee Override question on a millage that is in effect will also be looked at.
Commission Chair Tim Stoll said the Commissioners would follow the committee’s recommendation to fund the additional deputies but they would continue to explore other options.
Concerns have been raised by some department heads about using the 170 page Cost Allocation Plan to help fund the new deputies.
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