A Note from Commissioner Beeman

Greetings, 
 
The Board of Commissioners has been working diligently to support our community as we re-emerge from the pandemic. It is my honor to serve you and provide updates on the issues impacting Bridgewater Township, Freedom Township, Lodi Township, Manchester Township, Village of Manchester, City of Milan, City of Saline, Saline Township, Sharon Township, and York Township. From allocating ARPA funds to getting broadband fiber in the ground, I am working hard to support the residents of District 3. 
 
The Broadband Task Force continues to meet as we work to ensure every resident within Washtenaw County has access to reliable, high-speed internet. In recent weeks, the first speed test was completed for the first customer connected to the first completed leg of Washtenaw County ARPA-funded GAP Filling Fiber on Steinbach Road in Lima Township. The test proved the goal of 100Mb down by 20Mb up is being met with the newly installed fiber. Freedom Township and Manchester Township will not be far behind as Washtenaw County works to connect every resident – in District 3 and beyond – to reliable and affordable internet. To learn more, visit the Broadband Taskforce webpage: https://www.washtenaw.org/2867/Broadband-Task-Force 
 
This month, the Manchester Township Planning Commission has voted down a proposed solar farm, which is a similar outcome to recent decisions in Bridgewater Township and Saline Township. While green energy is welcomed in Washtenaw County, local zoning ordinances in the area currently dictate the location of larger solar farms. Washtenaw County is working closely with residents to create a collaborative vision for carbon neutrality by 2035. Discover Resilient Washtenaw by visiting https://www.resilientwashtenaw.org, or you may wish to connect with the Washtenaw County Environmental Council: https://www.washtenaw.org/2845/Environmental-Council 
 
We are currently at a medium-level of spread of COVID-19 in Washtenaw County. I wish to thank every resident who masked up and rolled up their sleeves to help us achieve this goal. Currently, the 6-month and up COVID-19 vaccine has been approved and is available through the Washtenaw County Health Department as well as local pediatric offices or pharmacies. For more information on COIVD-19 in Washtenaw County, visit: https://www.washtenaw.org/3095/COVID-19 
 
To receive timely updates outside of this newsletter, please follow the Washtenaw County Board of Commissioners on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube. Please reach out to me directly with any questions or concerns via [email protected]. 
 
Sincerely, 
 
Shannon Beeman
Washtenaw County Commissioner, District 3

News from the Last Quarter (April-June)

May 4th - Commissioners Adopt Goal of Saving Lives by Stopping Violence

At their May 4th meeting, the Commissioners adopted a list of 14 recommendations as a framework for addressing gun violence to save the lives of young people. The resolution highlighted work already starting at the county in line with these goals and took additional action to begin working towards other parts of the recommendations.

Learn more about this policy framework and next steps for this work by clicking here.

May 4th - Commissioners Approve Additional Support for Direct Assistance Programs

At their May 4th meeting, the Commissioners approved two resolutions that support the expansion of important direct assistance programs operated by the Office of Community and Economic Development: the Barrier Busters Network and the Weatherization Program.

Barrier Buster agencies can access the Emergency Unmet Needs Fund to support residents facing evictions, utility shutoffs, and other situations that, if not for direct assistance, could result in further crisis. Weatherization offers free home improvement services like insulation, repairing and replacing inefficient appliances, air-sealing, and more to lower energy bills and make homes more comfortable.

Learn more about the Board's increased support for the programs by clicking here.

June 1st - Board Invests $3.5 Million in Human Services

At their June 1st meeting, the Board of Commissioners cemented Washtenaw County’s commitment to increasing and extending funding for human services in the community when they allocated $3.5 million to work supporting Washtenaw County residents. The funds include an expanded, long-term commitment to the New Human Services Partnership (NHSP), as well as additional allocations to maintain key social safety net funding for community partner agencies.

Learn more about this investment in Human Services by clicking here.

June 21st - First Household Connected as part of Board’s Historic Broadband Infrastructure Investment

In September 2021, the Board of Commissioners approved a historic investment for Washtenaw County to become one of the first counties in the state to create a path for every household to access highspeed broadband internet. In June, the first Washtenaw County household was connected to broadband infrastructure as a result of that investment.

In total, over 3,000 Washtenaw County households will be connected as a result of this investment in the next few years. Connecting Washtenaw County is one of many investments made by the Board of Commissioners using American Rescue Plan funds.

Learn more about the first household connected and what it means for our community by clicking here.

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