Wolf to receive 1-percent raise from county

The Berrien County Board of Commissioners last week voted to give Administrator Bill Wolf a raise and extend his contract for one year.

Wolf had two years left on his contract prior to Thursday’s vote, so his contract has been extended through 2017.

He will receive a 1-percent raise — the same raise extended to other county employees.

Commissioner Jim Curran said he has been pleased with

Wolf’s work.

“In the short time I’ve been there I think he has done an excellent job,” said Curran, who has served on the board since 2012. “He handles the affairs of the county in a very professional manner and he is very efficient.”

Curran represents the 11th District, which consists of portions of Bertrand and Niles townships.

Wolf became county administrator in January of 2005.

He is responsible for directing the central administrative functions of county government and acting as a conduit on behalf of the Board of Commissioners between county officers, department heads and the general public. A major service provided by the administrator’s office is preparation and execution of a balanced county operational budget of approximately $52 million and a defined benefit pension program over $100 million. The county is staffed with 690 full time employees. The administrator also serves as the plan administrator of the pension program.

Prior to becoming administrator, Wolf was mayor of Benton Harbor and served two terms as Berrien County Treasurer.