Meeting Watch: County Board (3 Sept 2008)

Memo sent to Sheriff Minzey about his transition out of office

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The Washtenaw County Commission dispatched their work quickly tonight, clipping through a range of items with little discussion. Among their actions:

  • Creating a full-time deputy administrator position for the Washtenaw Community Health Organization, with a salary range of between $81,182 to $143,794. WCHO would cover all personnel costs.
  • Declaring September to be Recovery Month.

David Behen, deputy county administrator, informed the board that a memo had been sent to outgoing Sheriff Dan Minzey outlining a plan of transition for the next sheriff. (Minzey was defeated in the Democratic primary by Jerry Clayton, who faces Republican Dwayne Taylor in November.) The memo said a transition plan should focus on the budget, long-term policy, projects, human resources, information technology and other capital assets.

Public comment was also sparse at the meeting. The highlights:

  • Eileen Spring, executive director of Food Gatherers, outlined the start of an effort to develop a countywide food security plan. She spoke during public comment at the Ways & Means Committee.
  • Frank Parkinson, winner of the District 3 Democratic primary race for commission (he’ll face Republican incumbent Jessica Ping in November), asked the commission to consider geographic diversity when they appoint a new Washtenaw County Road Commissioner later this year. The two current commissioners, David Rutledge and Fred Veigel, are from the east side of the county.
  • Tom Partridge, a regular at public meetings throughout the county, said he plans to run for state representative in November as a write-in candidate.

Present: Commissioners Jessica Ping, Karen Lovejoy Roe, Conan Smith, Jeff Irwin, Barbara Levin Bergman, Leah Gunn, Rolland Sizemore Jr., Ronnie Peterson and Ken Schwartz.

Absent: Commissioners Mark Ouimet and Mandy Grewal, County Administrator Bob Guenzel.

Next meeting: Wednesday, Sept. 17 at 6:45 p.m. All board meetings are held in the county administration building, 220 N. Main St.