Washtenaw County boards set stage for August primary, review dioxane data and brownfield projects
Washtenaw County committees and boards met throughout the second week of July 2026 to prepare for the August 4 primary election, review groundwater contamination data, and weigh brownfield redevelopment agreements totaling tens of millions of dollars. All meetings listed below were agenda-only; minutes have not yet been published, so items are described as scheduled for discussion or action, not as final decisions.
Election preparations advance
The Election Commission met July 7 to finalize preparations for the August 4, 2026 Primary Election. The agenda included approval of early voting sites and pay rates, appointment of an election inspector and chairperson for five County-Coordinated Early Voting Sites, review of forms and test ballots from equipment testing, and a Public Accuracy Test of voting equipment.
The Board of Canvassers met July 15 to approve minutes from its May 15 meeting, hold a training session, and plan the August primary election canvass. No policy or financial items were listed.
Brownfield Authority weighs Emerald Glen and Ann Arbor plan amendment
The Washtenaw County Brownfield Redevelopment Authority had the most dollar-heavy agenda of the week at its July 9 meeting. The board was scheduled to act on a reimbursement and affordable-housing agreement for the Emerald Glen project in Manchester, which includes 6 rent-restricted units, a 10% annual admin/LBRF capture, and $2,000 per year for plan implementation. The board was also set to act on an Act 381 MSHDA work plan for the same project.
A separate item introduced a major amendment to the Village of Ann Arbor Brownfield Plan, raising eligible activity costs from $31,371,716 to $39 million and adding a $5.7 million public connector road. The board was scheduled to vote on creating a sub-committee to review the amendment form. A July 2026 financial report was listed for information only.
CARD reviews 1,4-dioxane well results and Parkland Plaza
The Coalition for Action on Remediation of Dioxane met July 7 to hear updates from the US EPA and EGLE on 1,4-dioxane contamination. Agenda items included 2026 EGLE resident well sampling results, the Parkland Plaza development proposal and the fate of monitoring wells on that parcel, an update on Ann Arbor's 1,4-dioxane from Erin Donnelly, a review of 1,4-dioxane migration in Scio homeowner wells by Dan Bicknell, and a Polluter Pay bills update with the Michigan legislature from James D'Amour. Old business included updates from Washtenaw County, Ann Arbor Township, Scio Township, and the City of Ann Arbor.
Police Services Steering Committee discusses 911 surcharge
On July 10, the committee was scheduled to discuss the 911 surcharge, led by Sheriff Alyshia Dyer, and hold a consultant/facilitator conversation led by Commissioner Katie Scott. The agenda also included review of May draft minutes regarding PSU budget actuals and millage subsidies.
Materials Management and Food Policy Council
The Material Management Planning Committee met July 8 to consider draft bylaws amendments for August, discuss the siting process and requirements, review new member feedback, and approve June 10 meeting minutes. Public comment was limited to two minutes per person.
The Washtenaw County Food Policy Council met the same day to vote on approving June meeting minutes and the agenda, hear public comment, receive subcommittee updates on food waste, food access, planning, pollinators, and inclusive justice, and hold a working session on election-year outreach logistics and a strategic planning session for a resilient Washtenaw County.
Coming up
The Washtenaw County Community Action Board meets July 22, 2026, with action items including approval of the FY27 Community Action Plan and May meeting minutes. The Community Needs Assessment will be open for public review, with two public comment periods limited to three minutes per individual.