The county's general information line for Washtenaw County is 222–4357. Toll-free: (800) 371–9445. Mailing address: P.O. Box 8645, AA 48107. contact_us@ewashtenaw.org, www.ewashtenaw.org

Related Topics:

• Recreation
• Health Care
• Community Services

Appointed by the board of commissioners, administrator Robert Guenzel is responsible for the overall management of county departments, agencies, and offices.

Board of commissioners
220 N. Main [map]
222–6850. Fax: 222–6715

The chief policy-making body of county government, the board has 11 members, elected to two-year terms (see box, Elected Officials). Their duties include adopting countywide ordinances, overseeing county operations and facilities, adopting the annual budget (including all county departments), and establishing and making appointments to county boards, committees, and commissions. Commission working sessions are first and third Thurs. 6:30 p.m.; board meetings are first and third Wed. 6:45 p.m., preceded by a ways and means committee meeting at 6:30 p.m. In June, July, & Aug., meetings take place only during one week of the month (typically the first week). To confirm meeting times, especially those that occur around holidays and during the summer, call 222–6850 or see www.ewashtenaw.org/government/boc. All Commissioners can be reached by emailing l-boc@listserver.ewashtenaw.org

Building services
705 N. Zeeb [map]
222–3900. Fax: 222–3930

This division of the planning & environment department, led by Tony Vanderworp, reviews plans, issues permits, and conducts inspections to ensure compliance with state codes and local ordinances. The building inspection division (222–3720) performs building, electrical, mechanical, and plumbing inspections in the village of Dexter and the townships of Augusta, Lodi, Saline, Scio, and Webster. The soil erosion division (222–3888) issues permits for excavations and construction projects that require movement or disturbance of soil for the cities of Saline and Ypsilanti, the villages of Dexter and Barton Hills, and the townships of Ann Arbor, Augusta, Lodi, Northfield, Salem, Saline, Scio, Superior, Webster, and York.

Clerk / register of deeds
200 N. Main [map]
222–6700. Fax: 222–6528

This combined office is headed by Lawrence Kestenbaum, an elected official. He and his staff maintain official county records (births, deaths, marriages, divorces, military discharges, business names, concealed weapons permits, board of commissioners records), monitor the conduct of elections, and keep all land ownership records for property in the county.

Drain commissioner (changing to Water Resources Commission Jan. 1, 2009)
705 N. Zeeb [map]
222–6860. Fax: 222–6803

The elected drain commissioner, Janis Bobrin, coordinates storm-water management, develops strategies for flood and erosion control, and participates in the development of related storm-water and land-use policies, plans, and programs. The commissioner also conducts activities to protect the quality of storm drains and waterways. The commissioner prepares special assessments for drains; maintains court-set lake levels and constructs and maintains associated facilities; establishes standards and reviews plans for storm drainage projects; manages and finances drain construction projects and watershed management plans; and educates the public on drain issues. drains@ewashtenaw.org

Related Topics:

• Huron River Watershed Council

Human resources
220 N. Main [map]
222–6800. Fax: 222–6775. Recorded job line: 222–6802

County job openings are posted in the first-floor lobby, and applications are available in the office; online applications are preferred. Go to www.ewashtenaw.org and click on "County Jobs" to view positions. You must fill out a separate application for each position. New jobs are posted every Mon.

Planning & environment
705 N. Zeeb [map]
222–3800. Fax: 222–3930

This department provides development, environmental, and planning services. Development services is in charge of building permits and inspections, well and septic permits and inspections, pollution prevention, public works projects, and soil evaluations. Environmental health services includes food service, pool, day care, and manufactured housing inspections, as well as the solid waste program; it investigates reports of environmentally related illnesses (such as lead poisoning) and provides environmental education and preparedness. Planning services offers comprehensive land use planning, community economic development, brownfield redevelopment, and historic preservation.

Prosecutor
200 N. Main [map]
222–6620

The prosecuting attorney and assistants are responsible for criminal cases in the county that fall under state law. Prosecutor Brian Mackie, an elected official, is the chief law enforcement officer for the county. The prosecutor must authorize, in writing, any criminal prosecution. The prosecutor also enforces child support and handles juvenile court matters. Call 222–6630 for questions about child support. Advocates in the Victim/Witness Assistance Program (222–6650) inform victims of their rights and the status of their cases.

Public defender
110 N. Fourth Ave., fourth floor [map]
222–6970. Fax: 222–6985. Juvenile office: 973–1159

Chief public defender Lloyd Powell and his staff provide court-appointed legal counsel for adults, determined to be unable to pay for a lawyer, who are charged with felonies or misdemeanors and for juveniles charged with delinquencies or who are victims of neglect or abuse. The office also helps answer legal questions and works for crime prevention, justice, rehabilitation, reduced recidivism, and training and employment opportunities for persons subject to discrimination.

Road commission
555 N. Zeeb [map]
761–1500. Fax: 761–3239

The road commission and its staff, headed by Steven Puuri, are responsible for providing a road system that is reasonably safe and convenient. All primary roads and most paved and gravel roads in the outlying areas of the county are maintained by road commission crews, who provide dust control, gravel road grading, snow removal, pavement resurfacing, storm drainage, and tree removal. Other services include road and bridge construction, sign and signal maintenance, pavement marking, and guardrail repairs. The commission does not maintain privately owned streets. wcrc@wcroads.org, www.wcroads.org

Sheriff
2201 Hogback [map]
Emergency: call 911. Nonemergency: 971–8400

Sheriff Dan Minzey, an elected official, enforces all criminal, civil, and traffic laws of the county and conducts investigations of unusual, violent, or accidental deaths. The sheriff executes the orders of the courts, arrests and detains accused offenders, manages the county jail facilities, and coordinates law enforcement activities of the county and state. For townships and villages in outlying areas that have contracted with the sheriff’s department, it responds to calls for assistance and provides uniformed road patrols. sheriffinfo@ewashtenaw.org, www.ewashtenaw.org/government/sheriff

Treasurer
200 N. Main, suite 200 [map]
222–6600. Fax: 222–6632

County treasurer Catherine McClary, an elected official, is the custodian of all county funds and portfolio manager for the county’s investments. She also is responsible for receiving, depositing, and accounting for all county revenue and state education tax. Her office collects delinquent property taxes and assists people with financial hardships in paying their property taxes. It also certifies all deeds and provides dog license information for residents outside Ann Arbor. taxes@ewashtenaw.org, www.ewashtenaw.org/government/treasurer