CASSOPOLIS — Cass County commissioners Thursday loaned Water Resources Commissioner Bruce Campbell up to $200,000 from the delinquent tax fund for drain and lake level projects.
Borrowing will be at 1 percent interest for one-year notes and 1.5 percent for two- and three-year notes for three projects:
• Barron Lake level — up to $65,000 to be repaid through assessments over one year.
• Hilltop Road — up to $70,000 to be repaid through assessments over two years.
• Happy Homes — up to $60,000 to be repaid through assessments over three years.
In other business, the commission amended the Economic Development Corp. budget to allow for the anticipated expenditure of $26,000 for a consulting agreement with Cindy LaGrow of Coloma through July 1.
County Treasurer Linda Irwin said the EDC has the authority of how to spend county special revenue funds, but needs a budget to audit.
“The Lowe Foundation started this EDC in 2000,” she said. “It evolved from the donation of the building. SMC donated about $75,000. When the building sold, that money went into this fund, which currently has $75,825.84.”
The board approved Parks Director Scott Wyman’s request to transfer $4,250 from the general fund parks repairs line item to the public improvement fund for installation of insulation and a metal ceiling in the storage area of the new maintenance building at Lawless Park southeast of Vandalia.
The cost would almost double if not undertaken at this point because lighting would be installed, then have to be removed and put back.
Wyman reported more than 200 people attended Discover Winter Nights, which could use some snow.
Commissioners released second-quarter appropriations, including: Mental Health Authority, $48,750; Department of Human Services Child Care Fund, $40,000; and Family Court Child Care Fund, $37,500.
The board reappointed two of its own, Robert Wagel of Wayne Township and Dale Lowe of Howard Township, to the Woodlands Behavioral Healthcare Network board for terms ending March 31, 2015, and adopted guidelines that will lead to adoption of the fiscal year 2013 budget on Sept. 6.
Commissioners will conduct a workshop Feb. 25. The annual Intergovernmental Forum is 5:30 p.m. March 8 at Southwestern Michigan College.

County introduces
map products

CASSOPOLIS — Information Services Director Kerry Collins shared with the Cass County Board of Commissioners Feb. 2 two new map products available from his office in the 1899 courthouse.
One map depicts the 11 school districts which reach into the county.The other details 15 postal districts. Each costs $12.50.