The Berrien County Board of Commissioners has authorized a $1.14 million project to install a new well and do other water system improvements at the Berrien County Juvenile Center.

The aging building is in need of a long list of repairs, and the water project is intended to give the center its own dedicated source of water instead of relying on Corewell Health, which owns the current supply system. However, the board’s Thursday vote to approve the project was opposed by Commissioner Julie Wuerfel, who said with 16 open beds, the juvenile center isn’t being used enough to justify a major project.

“ We’ve got to start utilizing that facility if we’re investing in it,” Wuerfel said. “A nd so for that reason, I will be voting no today on th

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