Washtenaw County · issues
Civic issues
Topics getting the most attention in Washtenaw County public meetings, ranked by how frequently they come up.
Barrier busters municipal contributions
Commissioners asked for a breakdown of which local municipalities contribute to barrier busters and at what level. Ypsilanti Township's contributions (ARPA-funded) ended in 2025, and staff will report on cost recovery percentages.
Rising employee health insurance costs
Health insurance claims keep climbing, and filled positions have tripled since 2022. If trends continue, the county could need $12.5 million more per year by 2030 — which the CFO warned 'will break programs.'
2027-2030 Quadrennial Budget adopted
Chief Financial Officer presented the recommended quadrennial budget, focusing on stabilizing 2027 operations amidst economic uncertainties and funding key board priorities.
Draft Board Rules Changes
A Ypsilanti Township resident asked the board to shorten its own debate time rather than shrink public comment, and commissioners traded views on restructuring comment periods.
AFSCME 3052 2026 compensation agreement
County workers in AFSCME 3052 have a tentative 2026 compensation deal that the board approved.
Federal HUD funding instability
Federal HUD changes threaten up to $3 million in permanent supportive and rapid rehousing funding, with a $432,000 immediate gap starting April. County staff and providers asked the county to lead a bridge-funding response; commissioners signaled support but no vote was taken.
Data center tax revenue uncertainty
The board reversed course, withdrawing its resolution welcoming U-M's computing center at Willow Run after learning U-M closed on the Textile Road site, and instead voted to support local data center moratoriums. Residents from Ypsilanti Township opposed the project over neighborhood impacts, militarization concerns, and safety.
Health millage replacement funding gap
Commissioners are weighing a 0.2-mill, three-year healthcare millage to backfill the Washtenaw Health Plan and public health programs hit by federal cuts. Critics say residents are millage-fatigued and many taxpayers wouldn't be eligible for the services; supporters call it an emergency response for people losing coverage.
PA 152 health care cost exemption
The board chose the 'exemption' option for 2027, letting the county pay health care costs above the state cap rather than capping them, and ratified the labor coalition's health insurance deal.
County administrator selection
A Pittsfield Township social worker questioned whether Interim Administrator Derrick Jackson should get the permanent job, citing his failed sheriff's race and ethics concerns. Commissioners pushed back, with Somerville noting he came close to winning and has 20+ years of county leadership.
Senior nutrition program millage funding
Partners currently get reimbursed at wildly different rates, which staff call inequitable. The proposal: a flat $5 per meal for partners using the county caterer (which costs the county $7.50, about $12.50 total) and $10 per meal for the two large Meals on Wheels organizations that run their own catering and assessments.
Animal Control Services Funding Deficit
Commissioners raised ongoing questions about animal control spending and municipal contributions to the Humane Society contract. Discussion touched on potential cat licensing and fee structures to recover costs.
Community Mental Health funding
The board approved a $156.5 million operating budget for Washtenaw County Community Mental Health for the upcoming fiscal year. The budget includes position reclassifications, creations, and eliminations to support mental health services.
Delinquent tax surplus shortfall in the county budget
CFO Catherine Jones-Alther presented the Q2 budget update, projecting a $4.3 million general fund shortfall that is largely covered by planned fund balance use. Commissioners discussed various expenditure increases, including legal fees, jail food/medical costs, and overtime.
Land records portal access fee
A new $50 24-hour subscription would let title searchers and others access county land records online for short periods instead of paying $600 for a week.
Living wage exemption for mental health providers
The county would exempt certain Community Mental Health contracted service providers from its living wage ordinance for the coming fiscal year.
Commissioner flex accounts, mileage, and travel
Rules proposals would let flex accounts pay for event sponsorships and memberships — Rabhi wants tighter controls to prevent money flowing to commissioners' pet political organizations. Sanders argued commissioners shouldn't have to eat mileage costs for board service and pushed for a fairer travel account system.
Health Department budgets and grant funding
The board approved the Health Department's $22.5 million final budget for this year and a $20.9 million agreement with the state for next year, plus a federal grant application worth up to $2 million over four years for maternal and child health. Commissioners also discussed chronic difficulty hiring and keeping public health nurses and social workers because county pay lags health systems.
Board honors Terrence Williams and Brady Peck
The board said goodbye to two beloved county leaders: Terrence Williams (14 years, including the Racial Equity Office and county administration) and Brady Peck (Director of Operations). Both passed 9-0.
Healthcare millage for November 2026 ballot
Multiple residents urged the board to put a healthcare millage on the November 2026 ballot to counter federal Medicaid cuts that could strip coverage from 15,000–18,000 county residents. The board took no vote yet, but the idea drew broad support from community advocates, the Shelter Association, and United Way.
Federal formula grants for human services
HUD will honor current homelessness funding agreements — roughly $4 million starting in October — but future structural cuts are coming. Commissioner LaBarre proposed a board working group to prepare.
Older Persons millage implementation
The county approved single-reading contracts to continue funding older persons millage transportation and expanded senior nutrition programs.
2026 County Millage Rate
The board set the 2026 county property tax rate at 7.3230 mills and scheduled a public hearing on the rate.