COLDWATER, MI (WTVB) – With the end of the 2023 Branch County budget process approaching, County Prosecutor Zach Stempien sought an update from the Board of Commissioners during Thursday’s work session on his request back in August to convert an assistant position in his office from part-time to full-time and to create a contractual investigator position.
That person would continue the work of Douglas Tanner as an investigator at the conclusion of a federal grant used to fund his position.
But County Administrator Bud Norman said the requests are not in the proposed spending plan. He said during the November 17 work session the budget was balanced with no additional staff.
Stempien said he understands the county does not have deep pockets to reach into.
Commissioners Jon Houtz and Tim Stoll felt Stempien’s request should be looked at.
Stempien said in August his requests would help alleviate work on the attorneys in his office by assigning work to the assistants and investigator.
A public hearing on the proposed budget is scheduled for next Tuesday. Final adoption is set for December 20.
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