Branch County Court House (photo courtesy Justin Lopshire, Midwest Communications, Inc.) COLDWATER, MI (WTVB) â Branch County has been trying in recent weeks to get enough governmental units in the county to agree to having a local Designated Assessor. There was a December 31 deadline to get a majority of ten units on board but as of that date only nine units had agreed. Branch County Administrator Bud Norman told the Board of Commissioners during their work session on Thursday they are waiting to hear back from the State of Michigan on a request to extend a deadline.