COLDWATER, MI (WTVB) – The Branch County Board of Commissioners gave a thumbs up to County Administrator Frank Walsh’s idea to hire a County Finance Director during their work session on Thursday.
Walsh said he surveyed 12 other counties and found out Branch County is not organized like other counties of similar size.
Walsh said there is a more productive and better way to manage an $80 million annual budget.
Commissioner Jon Houtz was among those who supported the idea.
The total annual cost would be $130,000 which would include a salary of between $90,000 and $98,000 plus $35,000 in benefits.
Walsh is suggesting using $50,000 currently in the budget to hire a part-timer to eliminate the county’s microfilm documents. He says the position has been in the annual budget for several years without being filled.
Walsh also wants to use $50,000 which is annually paid to Rehmann of Grand Rapids to prepare audit materials saying that is the responsibility of the Finance Director and it should be brought in house.
In addition, Walsh wants the Finance Director to oversee the Building and Equalization departments. Walsh is proposing the building department contribute $25,000 per year to cover the management of the department.
Walsh wants the Finance Director to be in place by the middle of April.
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