On Thursday, April 15th, a fund raiser was held for Washtenaw County Commissioner, Wes Prater, at Aubrey’s Pizzeria in Ypsilanti Township. Approximately 100 people were present to hear Commissioner Prater announce that he would seek re-election in the August 3, 2010 Primary Election.
He said his major reasons for seeking re-election were to continue his efforts to persuade new industry to locate in Washtenaw County, which would create new jobs and secondly to continue his efforts, in conjunction with Commissioner Judge, to make County expenditures more transparent and revealed that all checks written by the County will now be on the County web site (ewashtenaw.org) by a target date of August 1, 2010.
Commissioner Prater also explained that he and Commissioner Judge have introduced a resolution to review the Counties financial controls and that resolution will be discussed at a working session to deal with the County Financial controls on Thursday, April 22, 2010. He encouraged all County residents to attend the meeting being held at the County Commissioner Board room at 220 N. Main in Ann Arbor.
His supporters questioned him about the effect that lower values of County real estate would have on property taxes in the County and he responded by first saying that the 2 year budget that has been approved is on track to be balanced with hopes for no job reductions. And secondly, although the taxable value in the County has been decreasing, the County must hold the line and not propose nor levy any new taxes.
Commissioner Prater updated the attendees on the County jail expansion on Hogback Rd. and said the additional space is on schedule to be opened and staffed in late Fall.
When re-elected, Commissioner Prater hopes to continue to be the Board of Commissioners liaison to the County Road Commission and to continue his work as a member of the Washtenaw Area Transportation Study Commission (WATS).