County Approves Health Department Hire For Lead Services

berriencountyadministration-103
berriencountyadministration-103

The Berrien County Health Department is hiring an emerging threats supervisor to help respond to lead issues in Benton Harbor. During Thursday’s county board meeting, Commissioner Ezra Scott questioned whether the county should make that hire, saying if the state grant that pays for it runs out, the county could lose money. County Administrator Brian Dissette said the state has offered to pay all costs for having the specialist, and he believes it’s needed.

“I think that what is occurring in Benton Harbor likely creates precedence across the state,” Dissette said. “But for today, the state is willing to pay for this, the city and the state are desirous that we move forward, and we respectfully request that you allow us to put this position in to take some of the burden off some of the staff that are out there.”

Dissette said existing staff are dividing their time to help respond to needs related to lead in Benton Harbor’s water. He assured Scott the state is covering the whole cost of having the specialist. In the end, the county board approved the hire.