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Who’s on the ballot?

Check out our 2026 Democratic voter guide to get familiar with the candidates running across Berrien County and Michigan. Learn more about the races, get informed, and make your voice heard this November. 💙

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September 29, 2026 at 1:30 PM
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Berrien County's board chair warns that without state funding, local counties might be left to foot the bill for public transit, urging caution on new taxes that could burden rural property owners.

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#BerrienCounty #MI #CitizenPortal #BerrienCountyTransit #FiscalResponsibility
Chair warns county may shoulder transit costs if state funding does not follow through
Chair of the Berrien County board cautioned commissioners that a proposed transit authority could leave counties paying for services if the state fails to provide sustained funding and urged caution before approving any county‑wide millage.
citizenportal.ai
September 21, 2026 at 6:22 AM
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The Children's Advocacy Center is hailed as a vital force in Berrien County, uniting law enforcement and the judiciary to ensure safer investigations and better courtroom outcomes for vulnerable children.

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Law enforcement and judiciary praise CAC's role in investigations
Local law enforcement and a judge told commissioners the CAC improves investigations and courtroom evidence quality, reduces retraumatization and is "necessary," underscoring cross-sector support for continued funding.
citizenportal.ai
September 21, 2026 at 6:18 AM
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Berrien County’s Children’s Advocacy Center is facing a $140,000 budget shortfall, risking vital services for children amid federal funding cuts.

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#BerrienCounty #MI #BerrienCountyChildrenAdvocacy #CitizenPortal #ChildrensServices #CommunityWellbeing #BudgetSupport
Berrien County leaders hear plea to shore up funding for Children's Advocacy Center
CAC leaders told commissioners the nonprofit faces a growing budget gap after federal and local grants shrank; staff asked the county to consider increased, more stable support to preserve free forensic interviews, therapy and medical exams for children.
citizenportal.ai
September 21, 2026 at 5:38 AM
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Berrien County commissioners have taken a bold step by waiving attorney-client privilege to address serious governance issues within Kinexus, revealing potential misconduct that could reshape the future of workforce development in the region.

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Berrien County waives privilege and advances Kinexus governance review after interim memo
After a closed session, the board unanimously acknowledged a conflict disclosure, granted counsel informed consent to continue the Kinexus inquiry, and voted to waive attorney-client privilege so an interim report and recommendations can be shared and reviewed publicly.
citizenportal.ai
September 12, 2026 at 3:38 AM
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Berrien County is on the brink of a major transportation overhaul with a new authority aimed at better serving rural areas and vulnerable riders—are you ready for the changes coming in 2026?

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#BerrienCounty #MI #TransportationReform #CitizenPortal #PublicSafety
Berrien County hears plan for county-appointed transportation authority under new MDOT directive
Community Development presented Resolution F2609315 outlining a county-appointed 11-member transportation authority board, county oversight safeguards, and membership seats for cities, rural areas and vulnerable riders in response to an MDOT funding directive effective Oct. 1, 2026.
citizenportal.ai
September 12, 2026 at 2:47 AM
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Berrien County faces a looming funding gap as state grants dwindle, potentially leading to a countywide millage to keep essential services afloat.

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#BerrienCounty #MI #CivicAccountability #CitizenPortal #LocalFunding #BerrienCountyFunding #GrantAssistance
County staff warn of funding gap; countywide millage possible after three-year grants
Presenters estimated $2.0–2.3 million in year-one operating needs and said state supplemental grants (if awarded) would taper over three years, leaving a potential need for a countywide millage to sustain services after grant assistance ends.
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September 8, 2026 at 10:20 PM
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Indiana Michigan Power is investing $300,000 into local projects while pursuing the relicensing of the Cook Nuclear plant—what's next for Berrien County?

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#BerrienCounty #MI #EnergyInnovation #CitizenPortal #BerrienCountyCommunity #InfrastructureProjects
Indiana Michigan Power updates commissioners on Cook Nuclear, local projects and economic development
Indiana Michigan Power officials described transmission and distribution upgrades across Berrien County, their Cook Nuclear relicensing process, $300,000 in local foundation spending to date, and an economic development approach to large power customers and data centers.
citizenportal.ai
September 8, 2026 at 5:48 PM
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Berrien County is on the verge of launching a new transportation authority aimed at enhancing transit services and securing crucial funding—could this be the game-changer residents have been waiting for?

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Berrien County staff outline plan to create countywide transportation authority
County staff presented proposed articles to form an 11-member transportation authority that would receive state and federal transit funds, contract initially with existing providers, and require municipalities to opt out within 30 days after notice; staff estimated a $2.0–2.3 million first-year operating need.
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September 8, 2026 at 8:22 AM
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Berrien County's road department is ramping up construction projects and eyeing an uncertain $1.8 million in funding—what's next for our roads?

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#BerrienCounty #MI #CitizenPortal #FundingAllocation #RoadSafety #BerrienCountyRoads #InfrastructureDevelopment
Road department update: construction, materials, and $1.8 million legislative allocation noted
Road department staff reported ongoing gravel-road treatments, bridge and avenue construction, and a legislative allocation of $1,800,000 to the Berrien County Road Department; commissioners were told the final marijuana-tax distribution remains uncertain.
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September 7, 2026 at 11:37 PM
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A potential $3.5 million liability looms over Connexus as federal agencies probe the handling of forgiven PPP loans and employee retention credits.

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#BerrienCounty #MI #CitizenPortal #BerrienCountyFederalFunds #FinancialAccountability #GovernmentTransparency
Review flags possible $3.5 million federal-fund liability tied to PPP/ERT credits
Corporate counsel told commissioners that forgiven PPP proceeds and employee retention credits appear in Connexus's unrestricted funds; if payroll charged to federal grants supported those credits, federal cost principles could require funds be returned and the three counties might be jointly liable for up to about $3,500,000.
citizenportal.ai
September 7, 2026 at 11:34 PM
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Berrien County is on the brink of a major transformation with a proposed $39 million project to build 34 new homes, including affordable options for families in need.

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Berrien County holds public hearing on Oakfield Brownfield plan proposing 34 homes
At a public hearing, county staff and developer representatives presented the Oakfield Brownfield plan to develop 34 single-family homes in the Village of 3 Oaks, including eight units set aside at or below 120% AMI and a proposed tax-increment financing structure to support roughly $7.2 million of eligible costs.
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September 7, 2026 at 11:30 PM
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A recent interim governance report reveals alarming control deficiencies at Connexus Group, where key decisions affecting over $18 million in public workforce funds were made by a small executive committee instead of the full board.

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Interim review finds governance gaps at Connexus Group serving Berrien, Cass and Van Buren
Corporate counseltold the Berrien County board the privately run Connexus Group operated under governance practices that displaced formal board authority, failed to provide regular reporting and used proxy rules that may not comply with state guidance; the counties face structural fixes and more records requests.
citizenportal.ai
September 7, 2026 at 11:27 PM
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Berrien County is taking a monumental step towards enhancing public transportation by proposing a new authority with a diverse 11-member board to advocate for the community's needs!

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Finance Committee backs articles to form Berrien County Transportation Authority, proposes 11-member board
The committee forwarded Resolution F2609315 to establish the Berrien County Transportation Authority (BCTA), recommending an 11-member board representing existing providers and population groups most reliant on transit; staff cited potential funding from the IPATH grant or New Start Program.
citizenportal.ai
September 3, 2026 at 8:37 AM
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The draft 2027-2031 5YTP includes rebuilding M‑63 from Central Avenue to the Blossomland and Bicentennial bridges starting in 2027 in #BerrienCounty, with major roadway, utility and streetscape upgrades. See the map and comment by Aug. 31: www.Michigan.gov/MDOT5YearProgram
Road barricade in front of the rising sun.
August 31, 2026 at 1:24 PM
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Berrien County's 2025 financial audit reveals an unmodified opinion but uncovers four troubling material weaknesses that are hauntingly familiar.

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#BerrienCounty #MI #CitizenPortal #FinancialTransparency #BerrienCountyFinance #AuditReform #GovernmentAccountability
2025 Berrien County audit issues unmodified opinion but repeats four material weaknesses
Rehmann Robson presented the 2025 financial audit for Berrien County, issuing an unmodified opinion but noting four repeated material weaknesses in internal control over financial reporting; the auditor said improvement efforts are underway amid a transition in Financial Services leadership.
citizenportal.ai
August 30, 2026 at 10:57 PM
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A powerful "do not destroy" notice is on the way to Kinexus Group, urging current and former employees to reveal any hidden NDAs while ensuring whistleblower protections for those who speak out.

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#BerrienCounty #MI #CitizenPortal #TransparencyInGovernance #RecordKeeping
County counsel to send do‑not‑destroy notice to Kinexus, seek NDA disclosures
Chairman Mac Elliott told the Finance Committee a Corporate Counsel-drafted letter will instruct Kinexus Group to preserve records and ask current and former employees to report any NDAs; the notice will invoke Whistleblower Protection for those who come forward, and Chairperson Mamie Yarbrough approved moving forward.
citizenportal.ai
August 30, 2026 at 10:56 PM
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Berrien County officials are taking a bold step to safeguard transparency by instructing Kinexus to preserve all records and urging former staff under NDAs to come forward.

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#BerrienCounty #MI #CivicAccountability #CitizenPortal #TransparencyInGovernance #DataPreservation
Board directs counsel to demand Kinexus preserve records, asks NDA disclosures
Chairperson Elliott said the county will instruct Corporate Counsel to issue a letter directing Kinexus appointees to preserve and retain all records and asked any current or former Kinexus staff asked to sign NDAs to come forward; commissioners thanked the proactive approach.
citizenportal.ai
August 30, 2026 at 10:55 PM
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Berrien County faces a critical decision after discovering asbestos at the former General Hospital site, raising concerns about taxpayer burdens and potential legal implications.

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#BerrienCounty #MI #PublicHealth #CitizenPortal #EnvironmentalSafety #FiscalResponsibility
County reviews possible reverter for Berrien General Hospital; Point Blue finds asbestos across site
Dan Fette told the committee Point Blue identified asbestos throughout the Berrien General Hospital site and provided demolition estimates; he said the county, as beneficiary of a possible reverter, must avoid taking on taxpayer burden and that Corporate Counsel provided an opinion; a letter to Corewell has been drafted.
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August 30, 2026 at 10:54 PM
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Berrien County just made a significant move by approving a consent calendar that includes a pivotal property resolution, all with a unanimous 10-0 vote!

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#BerrienCounty #MI #CivicAccountability #CitizenPortal #CommunityDevelopment #PublicSafety #BerrienCountyProperty
Berrien County approves consent calendar, adds property-title reverter for Berrien Township
The Berrien County Board of Commissioners approved a multi-item consent calendar on Aug. 20, 2026, adding Resolution A2608160 to execute a possibility-of-reverter for property in Berrien Township; the motion passed on a 10-0 roll call.
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August 30, 2026 at 10:53 PM
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Sheriff Chuck Heit reveals how Berrien County's Flock Safety license-plate readers are transforming crime-solving and aiding in the recovery of stolen vehicles.

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#BerrienCounty #MI #CrimeSolutions #CitizenPortal #TechnologyInnovation #BerrienCountyLawEnforcement #PublicSafety
Sheriff: Flock ALPR cameras have aided investigations; plate data retained 30 days
Sheriff Chuck Heit told the Berrien County Committee of the Whole that the county's Flock Safety automated license-plate reader system, deployed after a May 2022 pilot and a five-year contract signed in 2024, has helped solve crimes, locate missing people and recover stolen vehicles; plate reads are retained for 30 days and searches are audited.
citizenportal.ai
August 30, 2026 at 10:52 PM
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A major transportation resolution is on the horizon, aiming to unite regional transit providers under an 11-member board—will the commissioners support this transformative move?

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#BerrienCounty #MI #CitizenPortal #PublicTransit #RegionalCooperation #BerrienCountyTransportation
Commissioners preview transportation authority consolidation and governance structure
The finance committee flagged a transportation resolution proposing a merger/coordination of regional transit providers (Niles, Benton Harbor, Barry and Bus) and said materials outlining an 11-member board and governance details will be provided for review before next week's meeting.
citizenportal.ai
August 30, 2026 at 3:51 PM
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The sheriff reveals how the Flock Safety license-plate reader program has not only aided in solving crimes but also sparked important conversations about privacy and accountability.

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#BerrienCounty #MI #CrimeSolutions #PrivacyAccountability #CitizenPortal
Sheriff says Flock license‑plate readers have helped solve crimes, acknowledges privacy concerns
At a Berrien County commissioners briefing, the sheriff described a pilot-turned-five-year contract for Flock Safety license‑plate readers, outlined case successes and said the system limits (no facial recognition, not tied to driver databases) and 30‑day retention policy inform his stance on accountability and transparency.
citizenportal.ai
August 22, 2026 at 3:48 AM
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Berrien County commissioners are taking a stand against alleged non-disclosure agreements at Kexus, demanding transparency and whistleblower protections.

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#BerrienCounty #MI #BerrienCountyTransparency #CitizenPortal #OpenMeetingsAct #WhistleblowerProtection #PublicAccountability
Commissioners demand Kexus records, question alleged NDAs and open-meetings practice
Berrien County commissioners said they will send a 'do not destroy' records letter to Kexus appointees and seek copies of any non-disclosure agreements amid concerns about whistleblower protections and possible open-meetings violations.
citizenportal.ai
August 22, 2026 at 3:42 AM
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The Harbor Shores Brownfield Plan has been revamped to double affordable housing units and secure a $57 million TIF cap after crucial feedback from the Michigan State Housing Development Authority.

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#BerrienCounty #MI #BerrienCountyHousing #CitizenPortal #AffordableHousing
Harbor Shores Brownfield Plan revised after MSHDA concerns; board holds public hearing
At a public hearing, Community Development Director Dan Fette outlined modifications to the Harbor Shores Parcels 1 & 2 Brownfield Plan after Michigan State Housing Development Authority feedback: affordable units doubled from 20 to 40, marina state-TIF reimbursement withdrawn, and the maximum TIF cap rose to $57 million.
citizenportal.ai
August 13, 2026 at 12:43 PM