Journal Correspondent
Removal of decades-old restrictive covenants assigned to property in Centreville could spur economic growth in the county seat.
Zoning administrator Doug Kuhlman told county commissioners at their executive committee meeting last week the covenants were put in place by a committee that no longer exists.
At their meeting Tuesday, commissioners approved an ordinance that removes the covenants.
Kuhlman said the property lies within Centreville’s industrial park, a 120-acre piece of land south of Main Street on the east side of town.
The impetus for the change stems from two potential tenants interested in developing at the industrial park property, Kuhlman said.
County considers roof repair at COA facility
By Jef Rietsma
Journal Correspondent
St. Joseph County commissioners will decide next week whether to approve a budget amendment necessary to fix a leaking roof at a county facility.
At their executive committee meeting Wednesday, commissioners were brought up-to-date regarding a roof leak over the atrium at the Three Rivers Commission on Aging property.
County finance director Angie Steinman said the correction initially was slated to be a budgeted item for 2021. Commissioners, however, decided to take a wait-and-see approach.
But Steinman said there is sufficient fund balance in the COA account to cover the project.
County will hire director for buildings and grounds sturgisjournal.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from sturgisjournal.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
By Jef Rietsma
Journal Correspondent
St. Joseph County officials plan to discuss whether to approve a staffing request for the prosecutor’s office.
The matter was raised Wednesday at the executive committee meeting, when commissioners heard a grim report from prosecutor David Marvin. He said the current backlog, along with a projected need for an additional attorney on-staff justifies the request.
Marvin offered some eye-popping numbers concerning circuit court felony cases, based on figures provided to him from judge Paul Stutesman.
“Circuit court felony cases are the big crimes that happen here – not that the little crimes don’t matter – and (Stutesman) said in a year there are 300 or more felonies that go through in a year,” Marvin said. “As of January this year, there are 600… that kind of tells you a number of things.”