Washtenaw County · issues
Civic issues
Topics getting the most attention in Washtenaw County public meetings, ranked by how frequently they come up.
Sheriff road patrol funding
The sheriff's grant funds two deputies who cover rural areas without police service and handle serious crash investigations. Commissioners raised equity questions about coverage for uncontracted townships and privacy concerns about the traffic-data platform used for enforcement targeting.
Healthcare Access Response
The county approved a $1.5 million healthcare access response proposal to fund new health department and Washtenaw Health Project positions, helping residents navigate coverage losses and healthcare costs.
Law enforcement response to mental health crises
Residents pressed the board on how deputies handle mental health crises, calling for better crisis response.
Sheriff's Office conduct complaints
A Ypsilanti Township resident detailed ongoing disputes with the sheriff's office and prosecutor's office, including confiscated property. Commissioners noted the sheriff is independently elected and urged direct engagement.
Contract policing methodology and cost
The county has 82 authorized police service units serving 12 contract partners, but the 20-year-old pricing methodology breaks down when applied to actual costs. An RFP is out for a consultant to review it, with selection targeted for Q4 2026 — commissioners want full cost breakdowns including healthcare, which the county has been subsidizing.
Waseem v. Washtenaw County settlement
A negotiated settlement in a lawsuit against the county was on the agenda for approval, with details discussed in open session and related litigation in closed session.
Washtenaw Equity Partnership implementation
The WEP's 65 recommendations to address racial disparities in the county's criminal legal system have been stalled since 2024. CREW wants the county to hire a dedicated implementation manager, and Administrator Jackson says there's momentum to do it.
Community Corrections Comprehensive Plan
The board ratified the Sheriff's Office $3.14 million community corrections plan for next year, mixing an $850,000 state grant with local General Fund, millage, and fee dollars. It funds alternatives and services within the criminal legal system.
ICE enforcement activity in Washtenaw County
Nearly a dozen speakers urged the board to keep fighting the federal lawsuit over its ICE-free zone policy, including the children of a detained Ypsilanti father. Commissioners across the board pledged to stand firm, calling the lawsuit a badge of honor.
CLEMIS records system transition
The county is leaving Oakland County's CLEMIS arrangement for a new CLEMIS Authority Board, keeping the shared records system that serves the Sheriff, Prosecutor, Public Defender, and courts. The county administrator becomes the county's appointee.
Health Department nurse and social worker recruitment crisis
Commissioners pressed Health Department staff on why the county can't fill nurse and social worker jobs — compensation is the core problem, with hospital systems paying far more. Commissioner Sanders asked staff to add net position-change figures to future budget reports.
E-911 dispatch surcharge increase
The Sheriff's proposal to raise the 43-cent 911 surcharge (unchanged since 2013) and put it on the November ballot failed 4-5 after fire chiefs and township leaders asked for shared governance and more planning time.
Opioid Settlement Advisory Committee
The Board unanimously appointed members to the committee that will guide how opioid settlement funds are spent countywide.
Community violence intervention funding gap
Leaders of Supreme Felons Inc. told the board their grant-funded violence intervention work has run out of money, saying violence is ticking back up in Ypsilanti-area neighborhoods. Commissioner Hodge acknowledged the funding lapse and said the county is exploring ways to sustain the work.
Sycamore Meadows sewage crisis
Raw sewage backups at a 262-unit subsidized Superior Township apartment complex displaced families; the county hired a contractor to clear the sewer system and temporarily housed affected families, while HUD and Congressman Dingman's office are engaged.
Supreme Felons funding gap
Leaders of Supreme Felons Inc. told the board their grant-funded violence intervention work has run out of money, saying violence is ticking back up in Ypsilanti-area neighborhoods. Commissioner Hodge acknowledged the funding lapse and said the county is exploring ways to sustain the work.
Nondiscrimination in county-funded senior service contracts
Commissioners Scott and Sanders raised concerns about Catholic Charities' policies toward LGBTQ residents and staff and asked that nondiscrimination requirements be built into millage RFPs and county contracts with all service providers.
Conditions at Women's Huron Valley Correctional Facility
Advocate Trische Duckworth reported a pattern of sepsis deaths among incarcerated women and asked commissioners to use FOIA powers to obtain death records; commissioners thanked her and pledged continued attention.
Sheriff's office grants, budgets and accountability
Commissioners grilled the sheriff's office on two traffic grants cut by a combined ~$275,000, worried about general fund shortfalls and unequal enforcement. The road patrol grant got tabled; the strategic enforcement grant squeaked through 7-2. Separate public comment criticized the fatal Prospect Road shooting and Cross Street SWAT operation.
Sheriff's Office HR restructuring
The board rescinded its earlier transfer of Sheriff's Office HR administration to county HR and instead reassigned only the functions under Board authority — undoing part of a December reorganization.
Proposed ICE detention center in Romulus
Residents and commissioners expressed strong opposition to a potential U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detention facility planned in Romulus, highlighting regional human rights concerns.
Grant reviewer anonymity and Open Meetings Act limits
Recent Michigan court decisions may not allow anonymous volunteer grant reviewers for decisions the board makes. Commissioners clashed a bit — some want to protect volunteers from harassment, others (like Commissioner Rabhi) think public money should have public reviewers.
SWAT Tactics and Reform
A Northfield Township resident described a 12-hour SWAT standoff at her home that destroyed property over a nonviolent refusal to exit; commissioners Somerville and Hodge pledged follow-up and continued questioning of sheriff's office tactics.
Proof-of-citizenship voting ballot proposal
The board unanimously opposed a circulating ballot petition that would require documentary proof of citizenship to register to vote. Supporters said it would disenfranchise married women, students, seniors, and low-income voters; a few residents argued it protects election integrity.
Cross Street law enforcement response
Dozens of residents blasted the 30-plus-hour police siege of a man in mental health crisis at 1111 West Cross Street — tear gas, flashbangs, a fire hose pumped into the home, and partial demolition. Speakers demanded an independent investigation, an accounting of costs, and investment in non-police crisis response. Commissioners Somerville and Hodge pledged budget review and answers from the sheriff's office.