A Note from Commissioner Shink

Happy Summer! Summer in Washtenaw County is, aside from the occasional thunderstorm, an opportunity to enjoy the best that Michigan has to offer: cool mornings and evenings with plenty of sunshine and opportunities to be outside. I hope your summer is going well! 
 
Thank you for subscribing to our newsletter. Your engagement in the work of Washtenaw County helps to ensure that we are meeting residents’ needs and expectations. Please reach out to me if you want to talk. My phone number is (734) 249-6223 and my email is [email protected]. 
 
Washtenaw County government is a team effort of 1400 dedicated people. It is an honor to serve as Chair. I am proud of our accomplishments over the past year and excited about the work to come. The first home has been connected as a result of the Board of Commissioners’ work to connect every home to high-speed internet, and everyone should be connected within two years. We can’t overstate the difference this will make to residents who will be able to work remotely from home, connect to telehealth services, attend school remotely and access online homework assignments and learning supports, and access other online resources. This investment is about more than convenience; it will change the opportunities for residents, especially in rural areas. 
 
I’ve also worked to develop the Community Priority Fund based on residents’ input; the first allocations are going to fight gun violence by investing in evidence-based interventions, discussed more at this link. 
 
Washtenaw County continues to work to support our residents through the continuing effects of the pandemic and is funding our human services safety net at historic levels.  
 
And of course, I continue to preserve farmland through my work on the Agricultural Lands Preservation Advisory Committee (ALPAC), clean up and support redevelopment on polluted sites through my work on the Brownfields Authority, and contribute to our amazing parks and B2B trail through service on the Parks and Recreation Commission. 
 
I hope you have a chance to get out and enjoy the opportunities Washtenaw County offers. If you need help with anything or just wish to let me know what you think, please reach out! I am hoping to hear from you. 

Sue Shink
Chair of the Board of Commissioners

News from the Last Quarter (March-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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