WASHTENAW COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
PUBLIC NOTICE – DEADLINE FOR SUBMISSIONS TO BE CONSIDERED FOR BOARD APPOINTMENTS
The Washtenaw County Board of Commissioners is looking for citizens to volunteer for a slate of positions on various Boards, Committees and Commissions. The Board of Commissioners will make these appointments at its upcoming session on December 6, 2023 at 7:00 p.m. in the Board Room, Administration Building, 220 North Main Street, Ann Arbor, Michigan.
Individuals interested in serving should apply online at https://ewashtenaw.formstack.com/forms/board_application. Individuals may alternatively submit a letter of interest and resume, including a home address, to the Washtenaw County Clerk’s office, Attention: Appointments, P.O. Box 8645, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48107. Letters and resumes may also be submitted via email to [email protected],
Those resumes received by Tuesday, October 31st, 2023, will be submitted to the Board of Commissioners for its consideration on December 6, 2023. The appointments will become effective January 1, 2024. These appointments include:
- Agricultural Lands Preservation Advisory Committee – The Board of Commissioners is looking to fill two (2) positions representing Agricultural Production/Operator Agricultural Business and Environmental/Conservation Group/Natural Resources, each for a three-year term expiring December 31, 2026. The purpose of the Agricultural Lands Preservation Advisory Committee is to assist the Washtenaw County Board of Commissioners in determining whether it should purchase the development rights on a particular parcel as well as how much the County should pay for those rights according to the Washtenaw County Purchase of Development Rights Ordinance.
- Area Agency on Aging 1-B Executive Board – The Board of Commissioners is looking to fill one (1) position representing a County Older Person for a three-year term expiring December 31, 2026. The Area Agency on Aging 1-B helps people access the services and programs they need to remain living independently and with dignity in their own home or with family caregivers. The AAA 1-B provides direct care programs for seniors, along with funding and support for many programs provided by community partner organizations. Membership to the Executive Board consists of one BOC representative and one member of the general public representing older adults in Washtenaw County.
- Board of Health – The Board of Commissioners is looking to fill three (3) positions for three-year terms expiring December 31, 2026. Membership shall take into account relevant lived experience, public health constituencies, experience living in a low opportunity index community or experience being a member of a historically excluded group, experience and education from sectors including, but not limited to public and environmental health, academia, health service delivery, legal services, philanthropy, social service delivery, k-12 education, consumers and citizens at large. The Board of Health is responsible for setting the Health Department’s overall strategic direction and recommending an annual budget to the Board of Commissioners.
- Board of Public Works – The Board of Commissioners is looking to fill two (2) positions representing the general public for three-year terms expiring on December 31, 2026. The Public Works Board was established in accordance with MCLA 123.732 and focuses on assisting local communities within Washtenaw County in addressing environmental and public health issues and development needs, primarily through lake improvement projects, and materials management, disposal, and recovery, but also may include water treatment, disposal, and supply.
- Brownfield Redevelopment Authority – The Board of Commissioners is looking to fill four (4) positions as follows: one (1) position representing County Municipalities and three (3) positions representing Environmental Profession/Legal/Countywide Development Organizations, each for 3-year terms expiring December 31, 2026. The Brownfield Redevelopment Authority was established in 1999 in conformity with Act 381 of 1996, as amended. The purpose of this Authority is to facilitate the redevelopment of blighted, contaminated, or obsolete sites, consistent with the participating community’s commitment to sustainability and its vision for the future.
- Building Authority – The Board of Commissioners is looking to fill one (1) position representing the Financial Industry for a 6-year term expiring on December 31, 2029. Per Michigan Compiled Law, "a county, city, village, or township may incorporate, as provided in this act, 1 or more authorities for the purpose of acquiring, furnishing, equipping, owning, improving, enlarging, operating and maintaining a building or buildings, automobile parking lots or structures, transit-oriented developments, transit-oriented facilities, recreational facilities, stadiums, and the necessary site or sites therefore, together with appurtenant properties and facilities necessary or convenient for the effective use of the facilities, for use for any legitimate public purpose of the county, city, village, or township."
- Building Code/Construction Board of Appeals – The Board of Commissioners is looking to fill one (1) position representing plumbing for a partial term expiring on December 31, 2024. If an enforcing agency refuses to grant an application for a building permit, or if the enforcing agency makes any other decision pursuant or related to this act, or the code, an interested person, or the person's authorized agent, may appeal in writing to the board of appeals. The board of appeals shall hear the appeal and render and file its decision with a statement of reasons for the decision with the enforcing agency from whom the appeal was taken not more than 30 days after submission of the appeal.
- Commission on Aging – The Board of Commissioners is looking to fill two (2) positions, one representing Commissioner District 8 and the other representing the General Public at-large, for partial terms expiring December 31, 2024. The Commission on Aging advises the Board on the needs of older Washtenaw County residents and needed actions and strategies to support their quality of life.
- Community Action Board – The Board of Commissioners is looking to fill five(5) positions representing the Consumer, Private, and Public Sectors for three-year terms ending December 31, 2026. The Community Action Board was established in 1990 for the purpose of working toward eliminating and preventing the causes of and alleviating the effects of poverty in Washtenaw County. The Board consists of 15 members who represent three sectors: Consumer (2 positions vacant), Private Sector (1 position vacant), and Public Sector (2 positions vacant).
- The three sectors of the Community Action Board are explained in further detail below:
- Consumer Sector: Members of the Consumer Sector shall be representative of limited-income individuals and families in Washtenaw County neighborhoods. Prospective candidates for the Consumer Sector must be nominated or elected by a neighborhood group or other community-based organization. A nomination letter from the nominating entity, which includes the name of the nominee, reasons for choosing this individual, and the process used to select the individual, should be returned to the location listed above with the other requested documents.
- Public Sector: Members of the Public Sector include elected public officials, or their representatives or members of their staff. Examples include: County Commissioners, Mayor, City Council Members, University trustees or Board of Regents Members, School Board Members, Sheriff, etc. Appointed public officials may also serve as Public Sector board members, and examples include: Appointees to commissions/councils/boards by the Governor, Mayor, or locally elected position/commission/council/board.
- Private Sector: Members of the Private Sector shall be representatives from any groups or interests in the community served, including the business community, nonprofit sector, education, and other important groups in the community.
- Criminal Justice Collaborative Council – The Board of Commissioners is looking to fill three (3) positions representing the following sectors: General Public (with lived experience), Department of Corrections Probation, and Juvenile Justice System Representation. Each position has a partial term expiring December 31, 2024. The main focus of the CJCC has been to develop multi-disciplinary strategies to alleviate jail overcrowding and making recommendations to the Board of Commissioners about how to implement and fund those strategies. Future efforts of the CJCC include a focus on reintegrating inmates into the community in order to reduce recidivism and developing common technology solutions that will enable criminal justice agencies to operate more efficiently and effectively.
- Emergency Communications Millage Project Oversight Committee – The Board of Commissioners is looking to fill one (1) position representing County Police Chiefs for a 3-year term expiring December 31, 2026. The POC is charged with overseeing the implementation of projects funded by the Washtenaw County Emergency Communications Millage.
- Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Commission – The Board of Commissioners is looking to fill five (5) positions representing Consumers for 3-year terms expiring on December 31, 2026. The Washtenaw County EMS Commission serves as an advisory body to the Board of Commissioners on all EMS matters. The Commission conducts public hearings relating to EMS matters when deemed necessary; promulgates and administrates regulations pursuant to Washtenaw County's EMS standards; plans, monitors, and evaluates the TMS system in concert with the Washtenaw-Livingston Medical Control Authority Board; and plans, monitors, and evaluates the pre-hospital aspects of the Washtenaw County Emergency Action Guidelines.
- Environmental Council – The Board of Commissioners is looking to fill four (4) positions representing the following sectors: Sustainable Energy Producers, Racial Equity and Environmental Issues, Land Use and Preservation, and Community Groups. Each position will have a 2-year term expiring December 31, 2025. The impetus for the establishment of the Council came from community concerns and through the Washtenaw County Board of Commissioners, driven by the urgency of environmental risks including climate change and threats to our air, land, water, soil, food supply, and natural resources. The Environmental Council’s mission is to create a vibrant, sustainable, net-zero Washtenaw County through developing environmental policy and organizational recommendations for Washtenaw County government, in order to: Achieve net-zero emissions for County operations by 2030, protect and improve the County’s air, land, water, food network, and both mental and public health as related to the environment, and address and counter environmental and intergenerational injustice.
- Washtenaw County Food Policy Council –The Board of Commissioners is seeking applicants to fill ten (10) positions, eight for two-year terms expiring December 31, 2025, and two for remainder terms ending December 31, 2024. The Council will be comprised of up to 18 members representing as many of the following professions and/or viewpoints (i.e. sectors) as possible: community representative*, disability justice, economic development*, education, emergency food system*, faith-based organization, food manufacturer and distributor, food retail*, food service*, funding*, health care*, human services, labor*, nutrition, planning*, public health*, racial equity*, rural agriculture*, transportation*, urban agriculture*, Washtenaw County Board of Commissioners, and waste management*. More than one representative may be appointed to each sector. In accordance with Food Policy Council bylaws, Preference may be given to those sectors which are not currently represented on the Council, indicated with an asterisk above (*).
- Requirements for Food Policy Council members:
- Attend meetings (typically the second Wednesday of the odd months, from 9-11AM)
- Represent the Food Policy Council at other meetings and events throughout the year
- Participate regularly in a Food Policy Council sub-committee and/or a Policy Action Team (meetings are separate from the Food Policy Council Meetings)
- Live or work in Washtenaw County
- Receive a stipend from the County unless a County employee (stipend is required for Council members; cannot opt-out of or transfer the stipend)
- Roles of Council members include: reviewing materials in advance of the Council meetings and actively participating in Council meetings; representing the Council at other meetings and with other groups to build connections; discussing issues related to our food system in Washtenaw County with elected officials and community leaders. The Food Policy Council was established in 2012 to develop a healthy community and thriving local food system.
- Historic District Commission – The Board of Commissioners is looking to fill four (4) positions as follows: three (3) representing the General Public and one (1) representing Architects for terms expiring on December 31, 2026. The Commission ensures that efforts are made to safeguard the heritage of Washtenaw County by identifying and preserving sites, structures, objects and other resources of historical, cultural, archaeological, economic, political, or architectural significance. The Commission seeks to promote the establishment and use of historic districts, markers and other programs for the education, pleasure and welfare of the people of this county. Individuals who have an interest in Washtenaw County's history and the preservation of local historical resources are invited to apply.
- Local Emergency Planning Committee – The Board of Commissioners is looking to fill twenty-three (23) positions representing the following: three (3) Owner/Operator of Title III Facility, two (2) Hospitals, (2) Local Environment; two (1) Transportation, one (1) Law Enforcement, two (2) Local Environment, one (1) Elected Local, one (1) Elected State, one (1) Agriculture (Farm Bureau), one (1) American Red Cross, one (1) Broadcast Media, one (1) Firefighter, two (2) Civil Defense/Emergency Management, one (1) Civil Defense/Emergency Management Alternate, one (1) Education K-12, one (1) Agricultural, one (1) Community groups; all for three-year terms expiring December 31, 2026. The Local Emergency Planning Committee was established in 1986, to serve as an emergency planning district under Title III of the Superfund Amendments and Reauthorization Act of 1986. The purpose of this committee is to report on hazardous and toxic chemicals in the community as it pertains to the Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act of 1986. The committee meets on a quarterly basis.
- Natural Areas Technical Advisory Committee – The Board of Commissioners is looking to fill four (4) positions as follows: one (1) representing Land Trust/Conservation, one (1) representing Professional Real Estate or Development Practice, and one (1) representing Environmental Education; for two-year terms expiring December 31, 2025. The Board of Commissioners is additionally seeking to fill one (1) position representing Professional Land Use Planning for a partial term expiring December 31, 2024. The Natural Areas Technical Advisory Committee was established as an advisory body to assist the Parks and Recreation Commission in prioritizing natural areas nominated by property owners for the Washtenaw County Natural Areas Preservation Program. Applicants must be residents of Washtenaw County.
- Parks and Recreation Commission – The Board of Commissioners is looking to fill four (4) positions, representing the General Public, for three-year terms ending December 31, 2026. The Washtenaw County Parks and Recreation Commission advises the department on the acquisition, development, funding, and programming of the parks and recreation system throughout the County. The Commission also encourages public support of the County's parks and recreation activities, events, programs, and facilities. Membership consists of six general public members, two BOC representatives, one Road Commission representative, and the Drain Commissioner.
- Social Services Board – The Board of Commissioners is looking to fill one (1) position representing the General Public for a three-year term ending December 31, 2026. The Washtenaw County Social Services Board is committed to assisting its clients in breaking the cycle of welfare dependency to become self-sufficient members of the community. Membership consists of two general public members appointed by the BOC and one member appointed by the State of Michigan.
- Veterans Affairs Committee – The Board of Commissioners is looking to fill two (2) positions representing Veterans for four-year terms ending December 31, 2026. The five members of the WCVAC must be residents of Washtenaw County who have served honorably on Active Duty in the United States Armed Forces. Each committee member appointed shall have demonstrated knowledge, skills, and experience in public service, business, or finance.
For additional information, please contact Washtenaw County Clerk’s Office. Phone: (734) 222-6655.