The Berrien County Board of Commissioners has approved the county budget for 2026, finding the savings that members wanted largely through the elimination of unfilled positions.

Financial Services Director Jake Litaker went over the numbers for the board this week. He said the 2025 budget closes with a good deal of money left unspent. Litaker noted the county will not need to draw down its general fund balance as originally planned, and instead, the fund balance is projected to grow to about 39.5% heading into 2026.

For 2026, Litaker said commissioners directed staff to produce a fully balanced budget while savings were achieved through additional means.

“Budget cuts by the department, a reduction in the transfer to health department while still meeting their maintenance of effort requirements, and then the economic development increase transfer to us,” Litaker said. 

The elimination of unfilled positions affected the county juvenile center, in particular.

“We fully defunded all the juvenile center vacancies until some plan is needed. So that was by defunding the juvenile center all the way, it got us a little more than what we needed.”

In total, 29 vacant positions were removed, while County Administrator Brian Dissette stressed that was with no layoffs. Litaker emphasized the budget includes a contingency of about $1 million, which can be used for mid-year needs or amendments if priorities change.

The board of commissioners later granted its formal approval to the plan.