In a significant move, the Washtenaw County Board of Commissioners has accused Sheriff Alyshia Dyer of fostering a “culture of fear and intimidation” within her department. This accusation has led the board to propose a resolution that would transfer control of four key positions in the Human Resources (HR) department from the sheriff’s office to the county’s administration. The resolution is scheduled for introduction at the board’s regular meeting on December 3, 2023.
Board Chair Katie Scott articulated the board’s concerns, stating that the severity of the issues brought to their attention necessitated immediate action. “The pattern and severity of the concerns communicated to the board really demanded immediate corrective attention,” Scott noted, while refraining from disclosing specific details due to the potential for retaliation against employees.
Concerns Over Personnel Management
The board expressed a lack of confidence in the sheriff’s office, citing “deeply poor judgment” and inconsistent application of county policies in personnel matters. They indicated that these issues have contributed to an “unhealthy work environment.” In their public statement, board leaders emphasized serious concerns regarding retaliation and the stifling of employee voices.
In response, Sheriff Dyer criticized the board’s actions as an attempt to undermine her vision for a safer and more just Washtenaw County. “The Sheriff’s Office will not be intimidated by threats to circumvent the will of the people and violate our Michigan Constitution,” she declared in a statement to MLive/The Ann Arbor News. Dyer described the board’s actions as indicative of a “local ‘politics-as-usual’ system” that seeks to suppress movements that challenge powerful interests.
She specifically pointed to Commissioner Justin Hodge as the catalyst for the resolution, claiming she learned about it through his social media on the evening prior to her announcement. Hodge confirmed his role in sharing information but expressed confusion as to why he was singled out by Dyer.
Proposed Changes to HR Structure
The resolution aims to shift two HR Specialist positions and two administrative operations coordinator positions to the oversight of the county administration. This restructuring would remove these positions from the sheriff’s constitutional authority over personnel decisions, aligning them with the management structure of other county departments. Scott assured that there are no plans to create or eliminate any positions as a result of this change.
This proposal follows a series of confrontations between the sheriff’s office and the county board. Recently, Dyer requested an additional $2.7 million to address a budget shortfall, attributing the need to increased overtime and rising costs for food and medical services. The board ultimately approved $1.7 million for the sheriff’s office but not without contentious discussions regarding budget management strategies, including suggestions to increase lockdowns in the jail.
The ongoing tensions signal a potential shift in the relationship between the sheriff and the county board. Hodge expressed concern over the current public discourse, stating, “I’m hopeful that as we continue to try to take corrective action and to ensure that the county is protecting its employees…that we can find a way to move forward amicably for the success of all of county government.”
As the board prepares for its meeting on December 3, the implications of their proposed resolution could have lasting effects on the dynamics between the sheriff’s office and the county administration.
