IT Collaboration, Vets Director Get Final OK

At its May 18, 2011 meeting, the Washtenaw County board of commissioners gave final approval to several items that were initially approved at its May 4 meeting.

The board voted to accept funding from a U.S. Dept. of Energy weatherization assistance program that would provide $241,863 in federal dollars to the county. Administered by the county’s Employment Training and Community Services (ETCS) department, the funding would help weatherize 31 properties to eligible residents – homeowners or renters with a family income at or below 200% of the federal poverty level ($45,088 for a family of four).

The hiring of Michael G. Smith, Jr. as the county’s veteran services director, effective May 23, 2011, was also given final approval.

Also approved on May 18 was an interagency agreement with the city of Ann Arbor and the Ann Arbor Transportation Authority (AATA), allowing the two entities to collaborate with the county on technology services. [.pdf file of draft interagency agreement] The agreement includes an extension, through 2015, of the contract for a network manager job that’s shared between the county and city. That contract, first signed in 2008, expires in June of 2011. The two entities save about $81,577 annually because of the shared position. The board also gave final approval to share costs with the city for a deal with the firm EMC, paying for storage area network and backup services.

This brief was filed from the boardroom of the county administration building at 220 N. Main St. in Ann Arbor. A more detailed report will follow.