The Washtenaw County Board of Commissioners approved of a budget amendment committing the annual marijuana tax revenue, expected to be more than $200,000, to the equity issues in the county.
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Last month, the County Committee of Ways and Means voted unanimously in favor of a resolution that moves to the Board of Commissioners for final approval tonight. The motion is to create the position of Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. This is an executive position in the Sheriff’s office and will have authority across the department to cultivate a culture of inclusivity, equity, fairness, and procedural justice that affects all members of the public.
County Commissioner Ricky Jefferson explains its impact.
“There is a need to make sure that our people that we hire are prepared with a perspective of diverse culture that we live in here in Washtenaw County.”
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The Washtenaw County Board of Commissioners allocated an additional $1.5 million to the Washtenaw County Health Department in December for COVID-19 response. Board Chair Jason Morgan says the funds will be used to help with the distribution of the COVID-19 vaccine, purchase additional personal protective equipment if it’s needed by office employees, and to keep funding health screening stations at the entrance of county buildings.
Board Chair Jason Morgan: We are definitely going to have to continue a lot of these safety measures for quite some time. I would say throughout 2021 given that the vaccine is not 100% effective and it’s going to take quite a while to make sure that everyone in our community is vaccinated.