COLDWATER, MI (WTVB) – A three year $436,000 federal grant to fund the hiring of an Assistant Prosecutor to serve as a Special Counsel who would focus on drug dealing, human trafficking and fraud being perpetrated by non-U.S. citizens was formally accepted by the Branch County Board of Commissioners on Tuesday.
The formal acceptance was delayed for two weeks after incoming Branch County Prosecutor Terri Norris raised some concerns about liability exposure for the county.
Whoever is hired as the Assistant Prosecutor would be a county employee and serve as a Special Counsel assigned to the United States Attorney’s Office in Grand Rapids.
The grant, which was applied for in June, would cover all costs associated with the position.
Branch County Interim Prosecutor Victor Fitz says the attorney would facilitate greater coordination of prosecution efforts between the county and the U.S. Attorney’s Office.
In other business, retiring Branch County Clerk Terry Kubasiak was honored during Tuesday’s Board of Commissioners meeting after serving as the County Clerk since 2005. Her term expires at the end of 2028 but has decided to retire as of September 18.
Kubasiak succeeded Judy Elliot as County Clerk. She was re-elected without opposition five times.
Michigan law calls for Branch County Circuit Court Judge Zack Stempien to appoint Kubasiak’s replacement. That person would serve out the balance of her term.
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