Hire of Asst. Prosecutor Gets Initial OK

At its April 4, 2012 meeting, the Washtenaw County board of commissioners gave initial approval to hiring an assistant prosecuting attorney at a salary of $81,690. The vacancy opened in December, following an employee retirement. The hire requires board approval because the salary is above the $69,038 midpoint of an authorized range ($68,074 to $96,565). A final vote is expected at the board’s April 18 meeting.

The candidate for the position is Nimish Ganatra, who currently serves as assistant prosecutor for Jackson County, and previously was an assistant prosecutor with the Washtenaw County prosecutor’s office from 2001-2009. He is a graduate of Ann Arbor Pioneer High School, the University of Michigan, and Wayne State University Law School.

Because of furlough days negotiated as part of the recent collective bargaining agreements, his salary will be adjusted down by 3.846% to $78,548. Brian Mackie, the county’s prosecuting attorney, told commissioners that because the office is currently under-filling a senior assistant prosecutor post, there is an overall savings of $12,983.

The initial approval passed on a 9-1, with dissent from Wes Prater, who objected to paying more than a midpoint salary. Rob Turner was absent.

This brief was filed from the boardroom of the county administration building, 220 N. Main in Ann Arbor. A more detailed report will follow: [link]