The Washtenaw County Board of Commissioners expects to open applications Dec. 1 to fill the District 8 seat held by Yousef Rabhi, who won election as Ann Arbor’s next mayor.
Rabhi’s anticipated resignation from the county board will trigger a vacancy and a fast-moving appointment process, according to a county announcement. The board expects to interview candidates and make an appointment at a special meeting on Dec. 16.
The entire timeline hinges on Rabhi formally resigning. Rabhi plans to resign at 11:59 a.m. Dec. 1, WEMU reported Nov. 5. The county said the process and timeline remain contingent on his resignation and the resulting vacancy.
Who can apply
Applicants must live in District 8 and be registered voters there. The county’s Corporation Counsel will review every application for eligibility.
Candidates will need to submit a 200- to 300-word letter of interest explaining why they want to serve. The application will also include written questions, the same for all applicants. Letters of recommendation are not required.
Applicants will be asked to review and acknowledge materials outlining the board’s authority and responsibilities.
What happens next
The application window is expected to run from Tuesday, Dec. 1, through Tuesday, Dec. 8. Interviews, board deliberation and the anticipated appointment would take place at the Wednesday, Dec. 16, special board meeting. The county said meeting details and opportunities for public participation will be posted on its website.
Board Chair Katie Scott said in the announcement that the board is “committed to a transparent process that gives interested residents a clear opportunity to apply and allows the community to hear from the candidates.”
Scott also congratulated Rabhi, saying he “brought heart, passion, and a deep commitment to the people of Washtenaw County through his years of public service.”
Serving as a county commissioner involves board and committee meetings, preparation, constituent service and community engagement, the county said. Residents can find updates on the county’s current openings page.
