Current Board & Commission Openings

The Berrien County Board of Commissioners make appointments to various boards and committees and has the following board vacancies that need to be filled:  

The mission of the Mental Health Authority Board is to provide personalized, effective behavioral health services to build a stronger and healthier community. The composition of the Mental Health Authority shall be representatives of providers of mental health services, recipients, or primary consumers of mental health services agencies, and occupations having a working involvement with mental health services and the general public. the meetings are held on the 3rd Wednesday of each month at 4:00 p.m. at the Riverwood Center located at 1485 S. M-139 Benton Harbor, MI.  the terms are for three years. 

The Brownfield Redevelopment Authority was created by the Board of Commissioners pursuant to Public Act 381 of 1996. Its purpose is to revitalize "brownfields", which are abandoned, underdeveloped or under-utilized properties that are not being developed due to environmental contamination. The authority has broad powers to incur and expend funds to pay or reimburse a public or private person for costs of property redevelopment, to own or sell property, and to enter into contracts and leases. Membership consists of neither less than five nor more than nine individuals appointed by the Board of Commissioners. the meetings are held on the 2nd Thursday of the month at 1:30 p.m. at the Berrien County Administration Center, 701 Main St., St. Joe, MI. 

The Land Preservation Board serves as an advisory body to the Berrien County Board of Commissioners with regard to land preservation issues. They will advise on the priorities for the purchase of farmland development rights; the price and method of compensation relative to the purchase of such development rights; and apply for state, federal, or other sources of grant funds to assist with the purchase of development rights. The townships included are: Bainbridge, Chikaming, Lincoln, Sodus, Royalton and Berrien.  The board is made up of nine members to include: a member of the Berrien County Board of Commissioners, a member of the Berrien County Planning Commission, three members representing farming, a member representing the interest of realtors and developers, a member representing the conservancy community, and two members that are elected officials from municipalities participating in the farmland preservation program.  The meetings are convened as needed and therefore, there is no set schedule.  When meetings are held, they are typically held during a weekday at the Administration Center, 701 Main St., S. Joseph, MI.

The Planning Commission shall consist of up to 11 members individually representing important segments of economic, governmental, educational, and social life development of the county. A majority shall not hold any other office.  The Planning Commission has no actual zoning or land use planning authority, rather its role is advisory with the following basic functions:  update the County Master Plan every five years (just completed); review and comment on local community Master Plans in order to ensure land use consistency between neighboring communities; review amendments to local zoning ordinances; review re-zoning actions of local communities.  The meetings are held on the 2nd Tuesday, monthly at 2:30 p.m. at the Berrien County Administration Center, 701 Main St., St. Joseph, MI.   

Anyone interested in serving on any of the above named boards may contact the Berrien County Administration office for an application at 269-983-7111, ext. 8095 or email [email protected].  Applications are available on the Berrien County website at www.berriencounty.org (under the Board of Commissioners page and board appointments).