(COLDWATER) – The Branch County Commission has selected the person they want to be the next County Administrator.

During their meeting Thursday morning, the Commissioners voted 4-1 to begin negotiating a contract with Frank Walsh to be the new County Administrator. Walsh was one of three finalists brought back for second round interviews. They others were Jessica Miller, the Assistant To The St. Joseph County Administrator, and John Morrell, the Administrative Manager at the Lakeland Correctional Facility in Coldwater.

County Commission Chairman Tim Stoll says that he will be working with Michigan Leadership Institute and representative Chet Janik on Walsh’s contract. LINKC.

The plan once a new person was hired was to have them spend time with retiring County Administrator Bud Norman for a two month period. Stoll says if the contract negotiations went quickly, then it would be up to Walsh on when he would start. LINKD.

Walsh, who previously served as the City Manager for St. Joseph and also Cedar Springs, has served for the last 11 years as the Meridian Township Manager. He resigned April 21.

According to a post on the Meridian Township web page, Walsh’s resignation came following an investigation into formal, internal complaints regarding actions taken by Walsh in his role as Township Manager. He is being retained as a consultant for the Township for the rest of 2024.

Norman is retiring as Branch County Administrator after 18 years on the job.