CASSOPOLIS — Cass and St. Joseph counties will share an equalization director, the Board of Commissioners approved 6-0 Thursday night.

County Administrator Louis Csokasy recommended Feb. 7 that the contract with Manatron in Portage not be renewed so Cass can re-establish an in-house department.

Cass had been unique in Michigan in having outsourced its entire property tax operation.

Cass County spent an average $155,220 a year with Manatron over the last five years, so the anticipated tab of $204,000 compares unfavorably with the current $142,500 expenditure.

Csokasy, who managed road commissions in a similar arrangement before becoming administrator, said the two counties will be equal partners, with the director spending two days in Cass County, two days in St. Joseph County and the other day split between Cassopolis and Centreville.