# Washtenaw County Board of Commissioner's Working Session and Board Meeting October 21, 2026

Washtenaw County Board of Commissioners working session and board meeting, October 21, 2026. The board discussed a possible purchase and buildout of the Arnett Street property for emergency shelter and related services. The Shelter Association requested that planning move forward, citing rising shelter demand and potential partner support, including up to $1 million in HUD operating funds and a separate $1 million request to senior millage funds toward the building’s purchase. Commissioners and the administrator raised questions about acquisition leadership, capital costs, operating expenses, partner commitments, and the space-planning process. No purchase or funding approval was made; the administrator said staff work was underway and suggested returning with a plan and options. The board also approved the administration’s phased healthcare-access proposal, including new community health worker and enrollment-support positions and a fund for urgent access needs; speakers described the first phase as a way to assess demand and respond to anticipated coverage losses.

The board considered brownfield plans, including an amendment for the Village of Ann Arbor project. Discussion cited project costs rising from roughly $31 million to $39 million and an increase of about $350,000 in eligible reimbursement, bringing the total to just over $1 million; a commissioner opposed the amendment over the use of tax capture for non-environmental costs, and the amendment was put to a vote. The board also approved, in its final-reading package, a host agreement with Solar Energy LLC, a labor compensation agreement, and a countywide free-fares-on-election-day pilot. Parks-related updates included approved funding for design and construction work at Parker Mill and a contribution for a Border-to-Border Trailhead; a new scheduled fee-increase methodology was also reported. Budget staff described a projected average surplus of about $624,000 after proposed adjustments, including a 3% property-tax assumption for 2027 before returning to 1.5%; the discussion was preliminary, not a final budget adoption.

**Jurisdictions:** sled
**Industries:** Construction & Infrastructure, Healthcare
**Topics:** Physical Infrastructure, Grants & Funding
**Published:** October 21, 2026

### Sources
- [Washtenaw County Board of Commissioner's Working Session and Board Meeting October 21, 2026](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xp0D5AJp49M) - Washtenaw County Government