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CASS COUNTY — A familiar face will be holding the gavel at Board of Commissioner meetings this year, as District 4 Commissioner Jeremiah Jones was selected by his peers to serve as Board Chair for the third consecutive year.

At the board’s Organizational Meeting Jan. 9, the board voted on multiple nominations, and ultimately selected Jones to again serve as chair. District 2 Commissioner James Lawrence was selected to serve as Vice Chair.

Jones, who represents most of Howard Township and the southern half of Pokagon Township, was first elected to the Board of Commissioners in 2020. He served as Chair of the Board in 2023 and 2024.

“I look forward to the days ahead and am confident in the team we have,” Jones said.

Lawrence was first elected to the board in 2022. He represents the City of Dowagiac and southern Wayne Township.

“I am honored to continue serving Cass County as commissioner and now as Vice Chair,” he said. “I am truly overwhelmed by the support I have received and remain committed to serving with the same dedication as I did my first term.”

The Chair of the Board of Commissioners finalizes agendas and presides over meetings, assigns board member appointments to committees, signs official documents, serves as an ex officio member of all committees of the board, and makes decisions in major events such as weather closures and emergencies. The Vice Chair takes on the duties of the Chair in his absence and leads the board’s Committee of the Whole meetings. 

“My immediate priorities will be hiring an administrator, appointments and committees and moving the county forward in a positive direction for all,” Jones said.

Cass County Finance Director Jennifer Rentfrow was appointed to serve as Interim County Administrator after Matthew Newton resigned his position as Administrator in December.

“My priorities reflect the foundational purpose of government: ensuring the safety and well-being of our citizens,” Lawrence said. He cited key areas of focus being enhancing staffing levels for the Sheriff’s Office, holding individuals accountable in the Courts, and providing critical assistance in times of emergency.

As part of the Organizational Meeting, the Board also approved the 2025 meeting schedule. Regular meetings will begin at 5 p.m. in Commissioners Chambers on the third floor of the Cass County Building, 120 N. Broadway, Cassopolis, on the following dates:

• January 9
• February 6
• March 6
• April 10
• May 1
• June 5
• July 10
• August 14
• September 4
• October 2
• November 6
• December 4

Committee of the Whole meetings will be held on the following dates:

• February 20
• March 20
• April 17
• May 15
• June 19
• July 17
• August 14
• September 18
• October 16
• November 20
• December 18

All meetings will begin at 5 p.m. in Commissioners Chambers, with the exception of the August 14 meeting. In order to allow the community and commissioners to focus on the Cass County Fair, both the Committee of the Whole and the Regular Meeting will be held on August 14.

Any changes to the meeting schedule will be posted in accordance with the Open Meetings Act.