The Berrien County Board of Commissioners approved Thursday a collective bargaining agreement between the Berrien County Trial Court and the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, representing the 58 Family Court Division employees.

It’s a three-year agreement from January 2011 through the end of 2013. The deal will give employees a wage increase of 1.5 percent in 2011 and 2012 and a 1 percent boost in 2013.

Employees will now pay 15 percent of the monthly premium for health care insurance, compare to the 12 percent they paid before.

Also at Thursday’s meeting, the board agreed to submit a grant application to the Office of Justice Programs for the Justice and Mental Health Collaboration Program.

In September 2010, the Office of Justice Programs awarded Berrien County $47,970 to help launch the program. The board is now seeking $250,000 for the implementation of the Justice and Mental Health Collaboration Program. The grant requires a 20 percent in-kind match from the county.