The Berrien County Board of Commissioners has been advised to be prepared for a short state government shutdown as the deadline for Michigan lawmakers to approve a budget approaches.

Commissioners on Thursday heard from their Lansing consultant, Michael Krombeen of Midwest Strategy Group, who said he’s more optimistic about the budget situation now than he was just a few days ago, but he still thinks there may be a brief shutdown.

“My best guess based on the progress this week is that we’ll have a framework deal in place maybe even ahead of October 1, and maybe it’s just drafting the bill, getting the votes done, printing and enrolling it, and putting it on the governor’s desk that takes us past the deadline,” Krombeen said.

Krombeen said there’s simply too much for lawmakers to get done for the budget to be in place by that October 1 deadline. But he said the sides are talking. The biggest sticking point is roads, and the issue is a matter of how much to cut from other areas of the budget to pay for road repairs.

“The Republican Speaker of the House and the Democratic governor have been most aligned on doing something on a roads deal. Different proposals, obviously, on how to get there, but at least, I think, a shared intent of trying to get something done on that.”

Krombeen said Governor Gretchen Whitmer envisioned something like $1 billion in cuts while raising revenue to find more for roads. Republicans, meanwhile, don’t want to raise taxes at all. He thinks they’ll find a compromise that might increase marijuana taxes.

Krombeen told commissioners if there is a shutdown, Whitmer will have to issue an order declaring which state services are essential — like corrections officers and police — while other things may close for a few days. He also advised hunters to get their licenses now because the process could just become delayed later.