John Dobberteen, chairman of the St. Joseph County Board of Commissioners, commented on 2009 as he presided during the board's final meeting of the year December 15th.

The end of the year is traditionally a time to look back and reflect on the 12-month period that’s drawing to a close.

John Dobberteen, chairman of the St. Joseph County Board of Commissioners, did just that during the board’s December 15th meeting in referring to a 20-point, bulleted list of “2009 Highlights.”

Among the items on the list are the items on the list are these:

•    Adopted an Enhanced Access to Public Records Policy
•    Approved CommTech Design as the consultant for telephone systems design, bid and project oversight
•    Incorporated Central Services into the Human Resource Department
•    Supreme Court held session in Commission Room on May 13th.
•    Approved labor contracts for four units of A.F.S.C.M.E. (General Unit, Circuit Court, Family Division and Probate Court)
•    In September, converted to new county-wide radio system for Central Dispatch
•    Purchased 11.5 acres of property adjacent to Meyer-Broadway Park
•    Approved land acquisition agreement with Department of Natural Resources for the expansion of Cade Lake Park for the purchase of 45 acres of adjacent land.

In commenting on the highlights and 2009, Dobberteen said, “It’s been a good year, but it isn’t ending the way I’m sure any of us hoped it would.  I’m sure next year is going to be a lot rougher.  We’ll just take it one day at a time.”

To see the complete list of highlights, click on the following link:  2009 Highlights

County commissioners will hold their first meeting of 2010 on Tuesday, January 5th.  The session will include organizational activity such as election of the board chairman and vice-chairman and setting the group’s meeting schedule for the year.