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CASSOPOLIS — This August, voters will have the chance to approve funding for an organization that provides care to Cass County senior citizens.

Thursday evening, the Cass County Board of Commissioners met via Zoom video conference due to continued safety concerns surrounding in-person meetings in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. During the meeting, the board tackled several orders of business, including approving a millage request from the Cass County Council on Aging to be placed on the August ballot. The COA is a nonprofit organization that provides services to area senior citizens. The COA receives appropriated funds from the county for services rendered.

The council approved a renewal of a .9969 mill levy in taxable value. The millage, starting Dec. 1, 2021, would be used over a four-year period to provide services to older Cass County citizens. According to the millage request, the funds would be directed toward improving the social, legal, health, housing, educational, emotional, nutritional, recreational or mobility status of older persons through the COA.

It is estimated that the county’s revenue as a result of the millage would be $2,323,512 in the first year if approved by voters.

“Act 39, Public Acts of Michigan 1976 authorized the Board of Commissioners of any county to appropriate funds to public or private nonprofit corporations and organizations for the purposes of planning, coordinating, evaluating and providing services to older persons,” said Commissioner Annie File as she read Thursday’s resolution.

The resolution was approved unanimously.

Also Thursday:

• The council approved the amending of several policies, including internet usage, computer usage, automated clearing house, purchasing policy, claims and credit card usage policy. The board also approved a new telecomputing policy.
• The board approved the purchase of a 2020 Equinox for the Cass County Sheriff’s Office at the cost of $26,770 to be paid out of the motor pool fund.
• The board approved the Fiscal Year 2021 Community Corrections Application and Plan.
• The board approved a motion to appoint a wage compensation committee. Commissioners Clark Cobb, Michael Grice and Terry Ausra were appointed to the committee.
• The board of commissioners acknowledged the recipient of an annexation petition from the village of Cassopolis regarding Midwest Energy and Communications, which hopes to annex to the village. As the board of commissioners is required to host a public hearing before considering and acting on the petition, a hearing was scheduled for 7:30 p.m. Aug. 8 at 120 N. Broadway, Cassopolis.