Boards & Commissions
Community members play an important role in Cass County government by lending their experience, perspectives and expertise to local boards, commissions and committees.
The Cass County Board of Commissioners appoints residents to serve on more than 25 boards and commissions addressing a wide range of issues that affect our communities and quality of life. Depending on the board, members may help guide county programs, provide specialized expertise, oversee public resources, make recommendations to elected officials or support initiatives related to economic development, public health, parks, planning and other community priorities.
Serving on a board or commission is an opportunity to become more involved in local government and help shape decisions that affect Cass County. Appointed members bring diverse backgrounds and perspectives to the table while representing the interests of the people and communities we serve.
Below, you can explore Cass County's boards, commissions and committees, view current members and terms, and find available openings.
- Boards and Commissions
- Appointment Process
- Current Openings
- Boards Served by County Commissioners
- BOC Standing Committees
- 911 Advisory Committee
- Board of Public Works
- Brownfield Development Authority
- Canvassing Board
- Cass District Library Board
- Community Corrections Advisory Board
- DHHS/Medical Care Facility Board
- Economic Development Corporation
- Historical Commission
- Land Bank Authority
- Materials Management Planning Committee
- Opioid Settlement Advisory Committee
- Parks and Recreation Commission
- Planning Commission
- Road Commission
- SWMI Substance Abuse Disorder Oversight Policy Board
- Transportation Authority
- Van Buren/Cass District Health Department
- Veterans Services Board
- Woodlands Behavioral Healthcare Network Board
- Workforce Development Board
Notification and Posting of Openings
Board and commission openings are posted on the Cass County website 90 days before an anticipated vacancy or within one week of an unexpected vacancy.
When a current member’s term is nearing expiration, the member is notified and invited to reapply if they wish to continue serving. The opening is also posted publicly so other interested residents may apply.
Appointments Committee Review
Approximately one month before a term expires, or one month after an unexpected vacancy occurs, submitted applications are reviewed by the Appointments Committee, which consists of three members of the Cass County Board of Commissioners. The committee reviews the applications, discusses the candidates and votes on a recommendation to the full Board of Commissioners.
Board of Commissioners Approval
The Board of Commissioners makes the final appointment at a regularly scheduled public meeting. The Board may:
Accept the Appointments Committee’s recommendation;
Appoint another applicant; or
Request that the opening remain posted to allow additional applications.
Once the Board votes to make an appointment, the selected applicant is notified of their appointment and next steps.
Board of Public Works
- One position expiring December 31, 2026
Cass District Library
- One position representing Newberg, Volinia or Penn Township expiring December 31, 2026
- One position representing Ontwa, Calvin or Porter Township expiring December 31, 2206
Planning Commission
- One position with an unexpired term ending July 31, 2029
Road Commission
- One position expiring December 31, 2026
Southwest Michigan Planning Commission
- One township representative expiring December 31, 2026
- One general representative expiring December 31, 2026
Woodlands Behavioral Healthcare Network Board
- One unexpired position with a term ending March 31, 2027
- One unexpired position with a term ending March 31, 2028
County Commissioners represent the county on the following boards and commissions:
911 Authority
- Jeremiah Jones (District 4)
Area Agency on Aging
- Michael Grice (District 5)
Cass County Council on Aging (Liaison)
- Michael Grice (District 5)
Human Services Coordinating Council
- Tom Langley (District 1)
- Roseann Marchetti (District 7)
Local Emergency Planning Committee
- James Lawrence (District 2)
Michigan State University Extension Council
- Sam Barrera (District 6)
Niles Area Transportation Study
- James Lawrence (District 2)
- Roseann Marchetti (District 7)
Opioid Settlement Advisory Committee
- Roseann Marchetti (District 7)
- RJ Lee (District 8)
Parks and Recreation Commission
- Sam Barrera (District 6)
Planning Commission
- James Lawrence (District 2)
- Roseann Marchetti (District 7)
Pokagon Local Revenue Sharing Board
- Jeremiah Jones (District 4)
Prison Re-entry Board (Liaison)
- James Lawrence (District 2)
Southwest Michigan Community Action Agency
- James Lawrence (District 2)
Southwest Michigan Planning Commission
- Alan Northrop (District 3)
- RJ Lee (District 8)
Southwest Michigan Substance Abuse Advisory Board
- RJ Lee (District 8)
Van Buren/Cass District Board of Health
- Jeremiah Jones (District 4)
- Roseann Marchetti (District 7)
Veterans Advisory Board (Liaison)
- Michael Grice (District 5)
Woodlands Behavioral Healthcare Network Board
- Michael Grice (District 5)
- RJ Lee (District 8)
Workforce Development Board (Kinexus)
- Michael Grice (District 5)
- Roseann Marchetti (District 7)
The Cass County Board of Commissioners has six standing committees. Standing committees are comprised of members of the board of commissioners, with support from County staff. Decisions made by committees are recommended to the Board of Commissioners, which votes as a whole to approve or deny the committee's recommendations.
Appointments Committee
Purpose
The Appointments Committee meets to recruit, review and recommend applicants for Cass County's many boards and commissions.
Members
- Thomas Langley (District 1, Committee Chair)
- James Lawrence (District 2, Board Vice Chair)
- Sam Barrera (District 6)
Meeting Schedule
The Appointments Committee meets at 4 p.m. the first Thursday of the month in the Commissioners Work Room, on the third floor of the Cass County Administration Building, 120 N. Broadway, Cassopolis.
Capital Projects Committee
Purpose
The Capital Projects Committee reviews and recommends the purchase of capital expenditures or capital improvement projects.
Members
- Sam Barrera (District 6)
- Roseann Marchetti (District 7)
- Jennifer Rentfrow (County Administrator)
- Rachel Sheeley (Finance Director)
Meeting Schedule
The Capital Projects Committee meets as needed, at the call of the chair. In adherence to the Open Meetings Act, public notice will be shared in advance of meetings in order to allow the public to attend. Meeting announcements can also be found on Cass County's Calendar of Events.
Policy Committee
Purpose
The Policy Committee meets to discuss, review and recommend addition of new countywide polices, or removal or amendments to current policies.
Members
- Alan Northrop (District 3)
- Michael Grice (District 5)
- Roseann Marchetti (District 7)
- RJ Lee (District 8)
- Jennifer Rentfrow (County Administrator)
- Beth Daly (Human Resources/Payroll Director)
- Rachel Sheeley (Finance Director)
Meeting Schedule
The Appointments Committee meets at 2 p.m. the second Thursday of each month in the first-floor conference room of the Cass County Administration Building, 120 N. Broadway, Cassopolis.
Salary Committee
Purpose
The Salary Committee meets to review salary changes of County employees and elected officials.
Members
- Thomas Langley (District 1)
- Alan Northrop (District 3)
- Jeremiah Jones (BOC Chair, District 4)
- RJ Lee (District 8)
- Jennifer Rentfrow (County Administrator)
- Beth Daly (Human Resources/Payroll Director)
- Rachel Sheeley (Finance Director)
Meeting Schedule
The Salary Committee meets as needed, at the call of the chair. In adherence to the Open Meetings Act, public notice will be shared in advance of meetings in order to allow the public to attend. Meeting announcements can also be found on Cass County's Calendar of Events.
Surplus Property Committee
Purpose
The Surplus Property Committee reviews and recommends plans for underused County property.
Members
- Sam Barrera (District 6)
- Roseann Marchetti (District 7)
- RJ Lee (District 8)
Meeting Schedule
The Surplus Property Committee meets as needed, at the call of the chair. In adherence to the Open Meetings Act, public notice will be shared in advance of meetings in order to allow the public to attend. Meeting announcements can also be found on Cass County's Calendar of Events.