COLDWATER, MI (WTVB) – After incoming Branch County Prosecutor Terri Norris raised some concerns about liability exposure, the Branch County Board of Commissioners decided to table action on Tuesday afternoon on accepting a $436,000 federal grant to fund the hiring of an Assistant Prosecutor to serve as a Special Counsel assigned to the United States Attorney’s Office in Grand Rapids.
The initial three-year grant would cover all costs associated with the position.
But Norris felt the county would get sued if things got messed up since the attorney would be a county employee.
Norris urged the commissioners to take their time and conduct their due diligence before making a decision
Branch County was awarded a federal grant earlier this month for the attorney who would focus on drug dealing, human trafficking and fraud being perpetrated by non-U.S. citizens.
Branch County Prosecutor Victor Fitz told the Commissioners during their work session last Thursday that they found out about the approval after their application was submitted in June.
He requested the Commissioners accept the 100 percent reimbursed grant and begin the application, interview and hiring process on Tuesday. Commissioners are now scheduled to take formal action on accepting the grant September 8.
Fitz adds the attorney would facilitate greater coordination of prosecution efforts between the county and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Michigan.
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