Washtenaw County · issues
Civic issues
Topics getting the most attention in Washtenaw County public meetings, ranked by how frequently they come up.
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.
Recycling and composting grants
Two small state grants — $7,500 for recycling education and $5,000 to expand composting — were up for acceptance, plus an extension of the county's fiduciary role for the regional recycling authority.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Washtenaw County Bicentennial
Administrator Jackson reported on the Legacy Project, in which eight county-connected people self-funded a trip to Ghana to visit slave dungeons as part of the racial equity blueprint. Fundraising is underway to send a second cohort of young people next year.
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.
Western Washtenaw Recycling Services Renewal
Drop-off recycling for Chelsea and five western townships continues through a renewed WWRA special assessment.
Whitmore Lake Level District Repairs
The pump that keeps Whitmore Lake at its legal water level dates to 1959 and needs repairs costing over $10,000, paid via special assessment.
2025 Year-end Financial Position
Good news: the county ended 2025 nearly $7 million in the black, with a $72 million fund balance and cost-containment wins at the Sheriff's Office — cushion for 2026 uncertainties.
Delinquent tax borrowing and treasurer's surplus
The treasurer's annual bond issue to front delinquent taxes passed — but only after a frank discussion about a $2.2 million budgeted surplus that came in at $1.5 million, leaving Sanders warning about budgeting money she doesn't have in hand.
Freedom Township biodigester resolution
Commissioner Beeman said Freedom Township passed a resolution on biodigester concerns and she'd like the board to support them — coming to a future agenda.