CASSOPOLIS — Cass County Planning Commission at its August meeting discussed implementing the concept of sharing services in updating the master plan approved by the Board of Commissioners in 2002.

Planners sent letters to the 21 municipalities and their planning commissions in the county to collaborate with the county Planning Commission and thus be able to reduce their costs.

The Planning Enabling Act of 2008 requires each entity to review and-or update master plans every five years.

The current cost for professionally drafted master plans runs $15,000 to $30,000.

With 2010 census figures available next spring/summer, “It appears to be a good a time to take a serious look at our master plans,” Planning Commission Chair Barbara Wood Cook said Thursday.

“Silver Creek, Pokagon and Volinia townships and the Village of Vandalia have indicated their interest in pursuing a joint approach with the county in drafting or updating their master plans.”

Cook said other counties have done what Cass proposes – Wexford, Leelanau, Emmet and an earlier plan in Manistee. Then municipalities adopted the county plan as their own with and/or without minor changes.

This collaborative approach is allowed under MCL 125.3847.

Dr. Kurt Schindler of Michigan State University volunteered to conduct a two to 2 1/2-hour training program concerning using a collaborative approach to county planning with townships, villages, cities and other stakeholder groups in the county.

County Planning Commission would appoint a committee empowered and charged with preparing and writing the county plan.

The committee would be large enough so each municipality and stakeholder groups (COA, Rotary) are members of this committee.

The role of the county planning commission would be as members of this committee and also to act as facilitators, coordinators, mediators and meeting managers.

Efficient governance requires working together; and if the municipalities work together, Cass County Planning Commission believes it can develop master plans that are comprehensive and useful to all at a reasonable cost.

Municipalities have been asked to complete and return a form before Oct. 15 to indicate if they would be or would not be interested in pursuing this approach in master planning.