A Note from Commissioner Sanders

Happy Summer Pittsfield Township residents,

The Commissioners are working on an additional allocation of the ARPA funding and hope you were able to attend one of the four listening sessions hosted the week of July 25-29, 2022. I am also responding to a request for additional listening sessions that will provide language interpretation for residents whose first language is not English, so expect news on that in the coming months. 

One of my top priorities, with cooperation from Supervisor Grewal, is assisting with a municipal-county partnership that will benefit our public safety departments in terms of space expansion and improved service to our residents as our township grows.

With the leadership of Representative Brabec and County Executive Dill, we have met with residents of a recent apartment complex fire in Pittsfield to assist them with landlord concerns and personal needs during their displacement. Additionally, I am working on some ways to strengthen consumer protections for residents. I appreciate your support for me as your County Commissioner, and as always, please reach out to me with questions or concerns.

 Sincerely, 
 
Caroline Sanders
Washtenaw County Commissioner, District 4

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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