COLDWATER, MI (WTVB) – Four annual reports were formally accepted on Tuesday by the Branch County Board of Commissioners.
Pines Behavioral Health reported that 2,291 individuals received services from them in 2025. They also served 49 veterans and had 188 mobile crisis calls with an average response time of nine minutes.
In addition, 323 were served by Pines through Medication Assisted Treatment for opioids, methamphetamine or alcohol.
Veterans Affairs Director Nick Easterling said in his annual report that one of the primary functions of his office is to assist veterans obtain federal benefits. He said in Fiscal Year 2024, the Veterans Benefits Administration estimates that a total of $17,591,000 was awarded to Branch County in compensation and pension benefits which is an increase since the last report.
Easterling added that over the past year, his office has completed 85 Compensation claims. Meanwhile, the Veterans Health Administration reported that for Fiscal Year 2024 a total
of $17,698,385 has been spent on healthcare benefits for Branch County veterans which is also an increase.
The Parks Board called 2025 a successful year. They reported revenue went up by four percent while expenses were almost consistent with the previous year.
They also pointed out that the Branch County Parks budget does not receive funding from the county government or any form of tax. Unless state or federal grants are awarded, all revenue is generated from user fees.
The Branch County Road Commission said in their annual report that their fund balance increased by seven percent during 2025 to just over $10 million. They said the increase was due to allocations from townships, cities and M-DOT funding as part of their plan to increase road work and projects.
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