By By JOHN EBY / Dowagiac Daily News
CASSOPOLIS – Bruce Campbell of Edwardsburg succeeded Jeff VanBelle as Cass County Water Resources Commissioner Thursday.
Campbell, whose appointment runs through the end of December, must win election in November over Democrat Tony Catanzarite to continue in 2009.
Campbell has 26 years in county government, including 18 years in Cass starting with the Sheriff's Office in 1990.
Campbell served as Cass County's emergency management coordinator from 1991 until 2000, when the Board of Commissioners decided to centralize addressing. He became the addressing technician in the Information Systems office.
In 2001, when the soil erosion and sedimentation program moved to his office, Campbell added enforcement duties.
"Jeff VanBelle has worked with me for the last month to insure a smooth transition," Campbell said. "I'd like to thank Jeff for his help and support."
"This office really can't function well without the support of this Board of Commissioners," added VanBelle, who resigned for a similar position in Kalamazoo County. "There are too many issues that come up. I really appreciate your understanding. It really made the job gratifying to me."
Campbell made $45,445 as address technician, compared to the $40,847 2008 salary set for the water (former drain) commissioner.
Commissioners raised the salary to $42,809, plus Campbell will be paid $2,636 to administer the survey and remonumentation grant.
In other July 3 business, the Cobo Hall convention facility/liquor tax distribution is estimated to be $150,004 for 2008, of which half, $75,002, goes to substance abuse.
The county also approved a three-year agreement with Manatron for equalization technical assistance. Manatron, of Portage, makes $159,000. The proposal was for $158,000 the first year, $161,160 the second and $164,440 the third.
Manatron submitted the only proposal by a May 23 deadline.