The Berrien Mental Health Authority (Riverwood Center) provides information, care, and services ranging from occasional counseling sessions to full intervention for severe disabilities or mental illness, providing the choices, the means, the interventions, and supports for optimal mental health and recovery. The composition of the Mental Health Authority shall be representative of providers of mental health services, recipients or primary consumers of mental health services, agencies and occupations having a working involvement with mental health services, and the general public. At least 1/3 of the membership shall be primary consumers or family members, and of that 1/3, at least two must be primary consumers. The meetings are held on the 3rd Wednesday of each month at 4:00 p.m. at the Riverwood Center, 1485 S. M- 139, Benton Harbor, MI.
The Brownfield Authority was created pursuant to Public Act 381 of 1996. Its purpose is to revitalize “brownfields”, which are abandoned, underdeveloped or under-utilized properties that are not being developed due to environmental contamination. The authority has broad powers to incur and expend funds to pay or reimburse a public or private person for costs of property redevelopment, to own and sell property, and to enter into contracts and leases. Membership consists of neither less than five nor more than nine individuals. The meetings are held on the 2nd Thursday of each month at 1:30 p.m. at the Berrien County Administration Center, 701 Main St., St. Joseph, MI.
The Economic Development Board is the issuing authority for Tax Exempt Revenue Bonds for Berrien County. It was established to coordinate economic development efforts, promote business investment and job creation within the County. The board is composed of elected and private business officials. The membership includes the Chairman of the Board, Finance Committee Chairperson and one other member of the Finance Committee as well as six other private business persons representing banking, industry and utilities. The meetings are held on the 3rd Thursday of the month at 1:30 p.m. at the Berrien County Administration Center, 701 Main St., St. Joseph, MI.
The Land Preservation Board serves as an advisory body to the Berrien County Board of Commissioners with regard to Land Preservation issues. They will advise on the priorities for the purchase of farmland development rights; the price and method of compensation relative to the purchase of such development rights; and apply for state, federal, or other sources of grant funds to assist with the purchase of development
rights. The townships included are: Bainbridge, Chikaming, Lincoln, Sodus, Royalton and Berrien. The board is made up of nine members to include: a member of the Berrien County Board of Commissioners, a member of the Berrien County Planning Commission, three members representing farming, a member representing the interest of realtors and developers, a member representing the conservancy community, and two members that are elected officials from municipalities participating in the farmland preservation program. The meetings are convened as needed and therefore, there is no set schedule. When meetings are held, they are typically held during a weekday at the Administration Center, 701 Main St., S. Joseph, MI
Anyone interested in serving on any of the above named boards may contact the Berrien County Administration office for an application at 269-983-7111, ext. 8095 or email akrieger@berriencounty.org. Applications are available on the Berrien County website at www.berriencounty.org (under the Board of Commissioners page and board appointments).
