The Berrien County Board of Commissioners had a special meeting this week to discuss a vacancy on the board created by the resignation of Robert Wooley, who pleaded guilty to embezzlement charges Friday.

Wooley is scheduled to be sentenced April 20 on the two counts for which he pleaded guilty in Berrien County Trial Court — embezzlement of over $100,000 and attempted embezzlement of between $20,000 and $50,000.

An investigation by the Michigan State Police found that Wooley had taken more than $150,000 from the North Berrien Senior Center from 2007 to 2014. He was the center’s director at the time.

Wooley represented District 1, which is made up of Coloma City, Coloma Charter Township, Hagar Township and the part of Watervliet Charter Township.

Anyone interested in the seat must be a resident of the district and a registered voter in that district. Applications may be obtained from the Berrien County website (berriencounty.org) or can be picked up at the county administration center, 701 Main St., St. Joseph.

The vacancy must be filled by the board of commissioners by April 3 or it will require a special election.

With that in mind, the board established a timeline for the application process:

• Applications must be received at the administration center by 5 p.m., Tuesday, March 17.

• The applications will be reviewed by the board at a special meeting at 8:30 a.m. Thursday, March 19. At that time, the selection of interviewees will take place.

• Interviews will take place by the board at a special meeting at 8:30 a.m. Thursday, March 26, with an anticipated recommendation of a selectee.

• The board anticipates it will appoint a new commissioner on either March 26 or April 2.