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Votes at a glance: Washtenaw County working session adopts routine items and directs counsel on DHS notice
Summary
At its working session the board approved a series of routine resolutions and appointments, adopted the county equalization report and ratified grant applications; the most consequential vote directed corporation counsel to evaluate options responding to a DHS subpoena.
The Washtenaw County Board of Commissioners handled several consent and single‑reading items at its working session and also voted on a high‑profile resolution directing corporation counsel to explore options in responding to a Department of Homeland Security subpoena.
Key outcomes recorded during the meeting:
- Resolution directing corporation counsel to explore options to respond to a DHS subpoena and notice of inspection — motion moved by Commissioner Hodge; adopted by roll call. (See full article on the board’s response to the DHS request.)
- Closed‑session legal briefing — board entered closed session earlier in the evening for a legal consultation that preceded the DHS‑related resolution; closed session convened by roll‑call vote.
- Financial Empowerment Center Legacy Implementation Grant — board ratified the grant proposal (first reading item moved and adopted; general support recorded in the meeting packet).
- FEMA grant application ratification — board approved submission or ratification of a FEMA grant application for county projects (first reading item moved and adopted).
- Human Service Partnership mini‑grants — board approved final recommended award recipients for the FY2025 mini‑grant program (final‑reading item approved). Applicants agreed to acknowledgement language for county funding as specified in their award materials.
- Equalization report — board adopted the 2025 Washtenaw County equalization report and tentative taxable-value estimates; the countywide state equalized value was reported as approximately $32.97 billion, with recommended factors of 1.0 for property classes. The board set the millage reduction fraction at 0.9963 and adopted the tentative tax levy calculations.
- LEPC bylaws — board adopted amended bylaws for the Local Emergency Planning Commission with a change to public‑comment time described in the bylaws. (One commissioner recorded opposition to shortening public-comment time for LEPC meetings.)
- Appointments and consent agenda — routine appointments were approved and the consent agenda adopted.
Motions, vote tallies and procedural notes: many roll‑call votes were recorded on the record. For the DHS resolution the board voted by roll call after closed session; recorded “yes” votes were called during the meeting and the resolution passed. Smaller grant approvals and appointments were approved on voice vote or roll call as indicated in the meeting minutes.
The board’s legal direction on the DHS request was the principal non‑routine outcome; corporation counsel will return with a legal memo and recommended next steps, and the board said it will continue to consult with county departments and community stakeholders as that analysis proceeds.
A list of recorded motions and vote outcomes (transcript evidence summarized):
- Motion: Enter closed session for legal counsel consultation; outcome: approved by roll call (recorded yes votes). - Motion: Resolution directing corporation counsel to explore options to respond to DHS subpoena; mover: Commissioner Hodge; outcome: approved by roll call (recorded yes votes). - Motion: Ratify Financial Empowerment Center Legacy Implementation Grant proposal; outcome: approved (first reading). - Motion: Ratify grant application to FEMA (BRIC/related); outcome: approved (first reading). - Motion: Approve final recommendations for FY2025 Human Service Partnership mini‑grants; outcome: approved. - Motion: Adopt 2025 Washtenaw County equalization report and tentative taxable values; outcome: approved (single reading, roll‑call recorded). - Motion: Adopt amended LEPC bylaws; outcome: approved (recorded vote; at least one commissioner opposed reduction in public-comment time). - Motion: Approve appointments and consent agenda items; outcome: approved.
Because many routine items were approved on voice vote or with minimal discussion, the board consolidated approvals during the meeting. The DHS direction to counsel required and received the most substantive board attention and will prompt follow‑up legal analysis and community communications.
