The Berrien County Board of Commissioners has been seeing some encouraging signs in its search for a new county administrator.

The board is looking to replace former Administrator Brian Dissette, who left for another position last month, and it’s hired the Michigan Leadership Institute to assist. Commissioner Bob Harrison provided an update on the latest from the institute’s Chet Janik to colleagues at a Thursday meeting.

“At last count, Chet had three different applications submitted, and he expects the bulk of them to come in right near the closing date,” Harrison said. “So he’s optimistic about that.”

Commissioners are planning to conduct interviews with some of the applicants the week of April 27. In the meantime, retired Berrien County Prosecutor Michael Sepic is serving as interim administrator.