County Declares Emergency To Allow Continued Virtual Meetings

berriencountyadministration-85
berriencountyadministration-85

A state of emergency has been declared by the Berrien County Board of Commissioners so local elected bodies can continue to meet virtually when state permission to do so runs out at the end of the month. During Thursday’s board meeting, Berrien County Emergency Management Coordinator Rockey Adams said state rules allowing for virtual meetings will expire at the month’s end, but other state rules prohibiting large gatherings and requiring distancing will remain. That would effectively make it impossible for elected bodies to meet.

“Without a local state of emergency, it would really impact the ability to meet, thereby driving us to the point where we would be creating a state of emergency by not declaring a state of emergency,” Adams said.

Board Chair Mac Elliott said the county order will fix that situation.

“On the first of April, even without any further legislative action out of Lansing, this declaration of emergency will be in place and everyone can keep doing what they’ve been doing,” Elliott said.

Elliott said it’s disappointing the Legislature and governor haven’t extended the rules allowing for virtual meetings. The county order kicks in on April 1, assuming the state doesn’t take action. County Administrator Brian Dissette said he’s gotten many emails from local elected officials around the county thanking the board for taking action.