By By JOHN EBY / Niles Daily Star
CASSOPOLIS - Tuesday's lightning strike at the sheriff's office tower “took out half of the police radio and data circuit to Dowagiac, the fire alarm panel, door control boards, intercoms, a lot of the new equipment we just installed,” County Administrator Terry Proctor advised the Board of Commissioners Thursday night.
Parts were being shipped here on a next-day basis, he said, with a team “coming over from Wisconsin to continue to make repairs of all those systems.”
Commissioner Alan Northrop, R-Marcellus, asked if insurance covers the loss.
Proctor said the county joined an insurance cooperative made up of member counties, cities and other local governments.
Continuing his rundown, Proctor said the board would be touring the maintenance building before its next meeting.
With the new fiscal year starting Oct. 1, budget work's pace is quickening. Proctor noted the 2006-07 spending plan is scheduled for delivery to commissioners on July 6.
Proctor also reported that a chip-sealing of the jail parking lots is underway. Commissioners approved that project last fall.
Four bids are being reviewed for a contract for the Register of Deeds automation project.
The other contract being prepared for Board of Commissioners approval concerns replacement of jail records software.
Proctor expects at least three commissioners to accompany him June 7 to Glen Oaks Community College near Centreville for the 8 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. economic outlook for Cass, St. Joseph and Branch counties.
Commissioners slated their fall retreat work session for Oct. 28 at the Edward Lowe Foundation's “Billieville” complex.