Resident alleges irregular hiring for 'WeLife' coordinator; board pledges follow‑up

Charisse Allen, a Ypsilanti Township resident, told the Board of Commissioners during public comment on March 5 that she participated in a multi‑stage application process for a WeLife coordinator position in 2024, received a conditional job offer (CJO) and resigned another job in reliance on the offer. Allen said that after protracted background checks she was later told the sheriff decided to appoint someone else to the role and that she had not been contacted with a full explanation.

Board reaction and next steps: Commissioners acknowledged the seriousness of Allen’s account and asked administration to investigate. Commissioner Somerville — watching remotely — said she would follow up directly with Allen. County administration said it would review the matter, take the board’s previously adopted policies into account and include the sheriff’s office in follow‑up; the administrator said he had a meeting scheduled with the sheriff the next morning and would add this topic to that agenda. Several commissioners thanked Allen for raising the issue publicly and asked staff to report back to the board.

Why it matters: Allen said the process extended from February 2024 through January 2025, and she remains without the position. Commissioners said the board’s adopted policies around recruitment and position jurisdiction may be relevant and asked administration to bring any findings back to the board so the matter can be resolved or clarified publicly.

Ending: County administration committed to follow up with Allen and with the sheriff’s office and to report the results to the board.