The county committee voted to refer a resolution to provide written notice of charges and to schedule a hearing regarding Road Commissioner James Saki to the county’s Executive Discipline and Nonjudicial Inquiry (EDNI) process after more than an hour of public comment focused on alleged threats and intimidation.

The committee first considered the measure (moved by Commissioner Loops, seconded by Commissioner Taylor). The chair offered an amendment identified in the record as the “Johnson amendment,” which was seconded by Commissioner Christiansen; the amendment passed on a 5-2 roll-call. Following debate about whether charges must precede a hearing under state law, the amended measure was referred to EDNI on a 6-1 vote.

Members and members of the public framed the item around an independent report referenced during public comment. Several speakers said an outside legal report exists and urged the committee to act. Mary Gillis, identifying herself as a 30-year parks employee from Waterford, said an independent legal entity has filed a report and asked the committee to commission an independent investigation rather than rely on the sheriff’s office because of perceived conflicts. “You’re the only ones that can do anything about it. I want something done,” Gillis said.

Baltimore Seedloff of Lake Orion said he had experienced a confrontation with “Mr. Psaki” and urged removal, adding: “Why is it taking so long?” Several commissioners said they had not seen the investigative report; one member said the only copy they had seen was attached to a local newspaper article. Another commissioner read statutory language on removal of an appointed county road commissioner, noting the statute requires written notice of charges and an opportunity for a hearing before the board.

Commissioners split on process and timing. Some said they were uncomfortable initiating charges without seeing the underlying report; others argued the statute’s wording requires issuing charges to trigger a hearing. After the Johnson amendment passed 5-2, the committee voted 6-1 to refer the amended resolution to EDNI, where staff and counsel will handle next steps.

No final finding was made at the meeting. Several commissioners said they wanted more facts and to preserve due process; public speakers continued to demand an independent investigation. The committee did not announce a timeline for EDNI’s work.

What happens next: The referral sends the amended resolution into the EDNI pipeline for staff review and follow-up; the committee’s vote does not itself remove the commissioner or impose discipline.