COLDWATER, MI (WTVB) – The Branch County Board of Commissioners formally approved a request from Sheriff John Pollack on Tuesday to pre-fund a new boat for the Marine Patrol.
Commissioners approved a quote from Gull Lake Marine of Richland for just over $45,800 which brings the number of boats for the Marine Patrol up to four.
Brunswick Commercial and Government Products of Edgewater, Florida submitted the other quote for just over $51,000.
Administrator Bud Norman said during last Thursday’s work session that the new boat and parking lot work planned for this summer would take the county to a 50 percent commitment of its capital outlay and contingencies at this point of the fiscal year.
The original plan was to review the Sheriff Department requests that exceeded the 2020 budget after the middle of this year but officials felt acquiring a boat at that time would not allow for adequate use during the upcoming boating season.
In other business, the Commissioners approved a request from Norman to hire a part-time employee for the Building Inspection department. The 28 hour per week position would be non-union with a starting wage of $13.77 per hour and no benefits. It’s estimated the approximate yearly cost would be between $15,000 and $17,500.
There is currently one clerical person in the department. It was felt this position would increase service to customers and would ensure office coverage when the current employee is off.
Why are we geting more boat patrol when we don’t even have sufficient road patrol?