HILLSDALE — The Hillsdale County Board of Commissioners tabled a resolution Feb. 24 that would’ve rescinded a July 2025 decision to place a building bond request on the ballot in August, opting instead to seek additional information from LifeWays.
After hours of public comment and reading emails from constituents opposing approval of the bond without a public vote, Commissioner Kevin Collins moved to table the resolution. Collins said he wanted LifeWays to clarify, in writing, exactly how much funding the agency is requesting before the board proceeds.
The motion to table passed 4-1, with Commissioner Brad Benzing casting the lone dissenting vote. The issue is expected to return during a regular meeting March 10.
The bond, as discussed, could total up to $15.5 million — and would fund a new building for LifeWays, the public mental health authority for Hillsdale County and Jackson County. The organization has sought county backing for the bond after being unable to secure traditional financing.
In July 2025, Collins joined Benzing and Commissioner Doug Ingles in voting to place the bond question on the ballot in August 2026, allowing voters to decide whether Hillsdale County should pledge credit to support the project. Earlier this month, Collins reversed his position, supporting efforts to rescind that decision.
The move ignited public opposition and prompted calls for accountability Feb. 24.
“This board is not a banking institution,” former commissioner Steve Lanius said during public comment. “Some of the commissioners here have allowed their personal feelings to come into play.”
“You have the responsibility of representing your people,” added resident Russell Richardson. “Thousands of people have gone out of their way to voice their opposition to this bond. The people deserve a vote on this issue.”
Joseph Hendee said the bond could have long-term consequences for county residents and future generations.
“This is a generational thing,” he said. “It’s going to affect our kids.”
Hendee questioned Board Chair Mark Wiley’s connection to LifeWays, citing an organization-authorized pension. Wiley said he contributes his own money into a LifeWays retirement plan.
“Perception is everything and people are paying attention,” Hendee said.
Luke Robson, a redevelopment guru in Hillsdale, said the municipality is already struggling to fund basic services, including parks, public safety and jail expansion.
“… LifeWays has been unable to secure a commercial bank loan to support them in this project,” he said. “That should’ve been enough to kill this issue.”
County backing would allow the authority to borrow at lower interest rates, but critics argue it places undue financial risk on taxpayers for a project owned by a separate public entity.
Those concerns were heightened by reports that LifeWays internal memos and meeting minutes indicated the resolution to place the bond on the ballot would be withdrawn before commissioners formally discussed it Feb. 10.
“This is a mockery of representative government,” said resident Andrea Clarke.
Commissioner Brent Leininger moved to rescind the July 2025 decision. Wiley supported the motion.
“The language is not sufficient to place the matter on the ballot,” Leininger said.
Ingles challenged that claim, noting bond counsel had previously approved the language. Benzing said his understanding was that the ballot language had been appropriate.
Collins declined to support rescinding the decision outright, instead calling for written clarification from LifeWays.
“If (they want) less than $15.5 million, I want that on the record before I vote,” he said.
A complicated timeline
The debate is complicated by an ever-narrowing timeline. LifeWays is currently leasing a county-owned building at 25 Care Drive through 2030; though either party can terminate the agreement with proper notice. Recent actions suggest Hillsdale County still intends to relocate the 2B District Court to 25 Care Drive by October 2028, when the municipality must vacate the Courthouse Annex — sold in 2023 to Hillsdale Renaissance (owned by Robson).
If officials wait until August to make a decision about the bond, LifeWays could remain reliant on 25 Care Drive; at a time when commissioners must consider how best to convert the building into a functional courthouse. That renovation is estimated to cost more than $4 million, according to previously reviewed renderings — money Hillsdale County doesn’t have to spare.
Officials discussed a possible bond to fund the project during a meeting Jan. 27, but no decision was made.
— Contact reporter Corey Murray at cmurray@hillsdale.net or follow him on X, formerly Twitter, at @cmurrayhdn.
(This story was updated because an earlier version included an inaccuracy.)
This article originally appeared on Hillsdale Daily News: Hillsdale County residents infuriated by reversal on bond for LifeWays
Reporting by Corey J. Murray, Hillsdale Daily News / Hillsdale Daily News
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