Airport Board
The Airport Board’s primary responsibilities are to make policy decisions for the operation and maintenance of the Airport, provide for planning, funding, and implementation of capitalimprovements, establish rules and regulations, signleases, and secure Federal and State grants.

The Board consists of five (5) members –
three (3) Commissioner seats, and two (2) public seats.The Airport Board meets once a month on the third Thursday of the month at the EAA Hangar.

The length of term is two (2) years and appointments are made in December.

Agriculture Preservation Board
The purpose of the Agricultural Preservation Board is to oversee the County’s Farmland Preservation Program (refer to County Ordinance #12 – Jackson County Agriculture & Open Space Preservation).

The Board consists of eight (8) members –
one County Commissioner, three individuals with agricultural interests, one public member, one elected official in township government, one member with real estate or development interests, and one member representing local natural resource conservation interests.
The length of term is three (3) years and appointments are made in June.

County Canvassers
The Board of County Canvassers’ primary responsibilities is to canvass or certify procedures after an election and conduct all recounts. This includes validation of signatures, machines, and procedures of an election.

The Board consists of four (4) members plus County Clerk.
Meet after general and special elections, usually within 2 days after an election. All elections except City. This includes schools, villages, and some townships.

The length of term is four (4) years and appointments are made in October.

Board of Public Works
The Board of Public Works is involved in all facets of sewer construction in the County including grants, bids, funding, rights of way, etc. They are also involved in landfill operation and the Resource Recovery Facility (incinerator).

The Board consists of five (5) members - one of which is public.

Meetings are on the last Monday of the month in the 6th floor conference room in the County Tower Building. The length of term is three years and appointments are made in December.

Community Corrections Advisory Board


The Community Corrections Advisory Boards’ primary responsibilities is to Development of a comprehensive corrections plan consistent with the requirements of P.A. No. 511 and the criteria, standards, rules and policies developed by the State Board pursuant to Section 4 of the Act.

Community Planning Committee

The Community Planning Committee meets monthly. The committee appointed Commissioners Elliott & Lutchka to the Aging Task Force.

County Building Authority
The County Building Authority Board’s primary responsibility is to oversee and direct financial investments and bonds of building projects, i.e., Youth Home addition, Cascades Falls renovation, Courthouse/Tower Bldg./Woolworth Building remodeling, Health Department addition, new Medical Care Facility.

The Board consists of three (3) members – all public seats. Meetings are held occasionally, depending on projects at a meeting place to be specified.

The length of term is three (3) years and appointments are made in June.

Department on Aging Advisory Council
The Department on Aging Advisory Council’s primary responsibility is the planning, coordination, leadership and implementation of programs for the aging in Jackson County.  The goal is to help older members live full, active and independent lives by coordinating available services. 

The Council reports to the Human Services committee of the Board of Commissioners and acts in an advisory capacity to the Department on Aging on issues of policy and services. 
Council members should be capable of providing a scope of representation of senior citizen needs, and should be geo-graphically located throughout the County.  Affiliation in a senior organization is helpful. 

The Council consists of fifteen (15) members, all public members, eight (8) of which must be 60 years of age or older.  Meetings are held on the last Wednesday of each month at the Crouch Senior Center.  The length of term is two (2) years and appointments are made in December.

County Election Commission
When a special election is called by a county, city, township, school district or village, the County Election Commission must determine if the proposed date conflicts with any other scheduled election in the county.

The commission consists of four (4) members - One member from a Board of Education of a School District in the County, Township Clerk, City Clerk, and County Clerk.

The length of term is two (2) years and appointments are made in January.

Emergency Management Advisory Council
The Emergency Management Advisory Council’s primary responsibility is to advise the chairperson and the Emergency Management Coordinator on matters pertaining to emergency management, especially in plan development.
The commission consists of of no more than 12 (12) members - Sheriff or representative, City Police Chief or representative, City Fire Chief or representative, Michigan State Police Jackson Post Commander or representative, Township Fire Chief, Township Police Chief, 1 County Commissioner, 1 City Commissioner, 1 Emergency Medical Services provider, 1 representative of Jackson County Medical Control, 2 citizens at large

The length of term is two (2) years and appointments are made in April.

Fair Board
The Fair Board is responsible for operating County Fair, publishing Fair Premium Book each year, maintenance and repair of buildings and grounds, building new buildings, off-season rentals of buildings and grounds.

The Board consists of five (5) members, – two (2) public positions and three (3) are appointed Commissioners. 

The length of term is three (3) years and appointments are made in December.

GIS Policy Board

For informantion on the GIS Policy Board contact Scott Ambs (517) 768-6691

Food Protection Hearing Board


The Food Protection Hearing Board is made up of Health Affair, Chair and a member of the HIS Committee. This board only meets when Health Department takes a services enforcement action (formal hearing) on the license of a restaurant, tabesplace at the Health Department.

Pat Smith, Commissioner, psmith@co.jackson.mi.us
Mike Way, Commissioner, mway@co.jackson.mi.us

Hospital Finance Authority
The Hospital Finance Authority’s primary responsibilities are to construct acquiring, , acquire, reconstruct, remodel, improve, add to, enlarge, repair, own and lease hospital facilities for the use of a hospital within the boundaries of the County of Jackson.

The Authority consists of five (5) members – four (4) public seats and one (1) Commissioner seat.

The length of term is one (1) year and appointments are made in December.

Human Services Board
The Department of Human Services’ primary responsibilities can acquiring, be found in Section 400.45 of Public Act 280 of 1939 www.legislature.mi.gov.
The Department consists of three (3) members – Two (2) public seats, one (1) State seat.

Applicants should be familiar with Social Welfare literature and the goals and objectives of the State Department of Human Services.

The length of term is three (3) years and appointments are made in October.

Human Services Coordinating Alliance

Meets the 4th Monday of each month in the LifeWays Board room at noon. Bring your lunch.  Usually the Chair of the Human Services Committee attends.

Jackson District Library
The Jackson District Library Board’s primary responsibility is to set policy and direction for the Library State Statute P.A. 89 of 1977.  Members should be consistent users of library services and be aware of library philosophy. 

They should have a broad point of view and exhibit an interest in growth and expansion in the area of library activities.  An undergraduate degree is essential. 

The Board consists of seven (7) members, all public seats – three (3) are appointed by the City Commissioners, three (3) are appointed by the County Commissioners, and one is an alternating City/County appointee. 

The length of term is four (4) years and appointments are made in December.

Economic Development Corporation of Jackson County
The Economic Development Corporation’s primary responsibility is to arrange capital at attractive rates so management can make the necessary investment in Jackson County for the purposes of helping local industry expansion, attracting new industry into the area, retaining and keeping jobs, and adding to the tax base. It is recommended that persons aspiring to the EDC have business expertise. The EDC also serves as the Board of Directors of the Revolving Loan Fund (RLF) of Jackson County.

The EDC consists of a minimum of nine (9) members, with no more than three (3) being employees or officers of the municipality. One Commissioner seat is suggested.

The length of term is six (6) years and appointments are made in March. Recommendations for appointments are made by the Enterprise Group.

Brownfield Redevelopment Authority (BRA)
The Brownfield Redevelopment Authority’s (BRA) primary responsibility is to promote the revitalization of environmentally distressed areas.

The Board consists of nine (9) members –
one (1) Commissioner seat, and eight (8) public seats.

The length of term is three (3) years and appointments are made in March.

Recommendations for appointments are made by the Enterprise Group.

Jackson Area Comprehensive Transportation Study Policy Committee (JACTS)
The Jackson Area Comprehensive Transportation Study Policy Committee (JACTS) primary responsibility is to provide the leadership necessary for the development and implementation of the Comprehensive Land Use – Transportation Planning Study.

The Board consists of fifteen (15) members which hold indefinite terms – an appointed representative from each local unit of government comprising the Urbanized Area as defined by the 1960 U.S. Census.

Jury Board

This board consists of three (3) members.

The length of term is five (5) years and terms expire on April 30th.

Jackson County Land Bank Authority

The board consists of eleven (11) members – Township Representative, Non-Profit Corporation Representative, Commissioners, City of Jackson Representatives, and "Members at Large".

Parks Board

The Commission is the policy making board operating and maintaining the Parks and Recreation system of Jackson County. Members should have a basic knowledge of Jackson County Parks or specific knowledge of one or more of its facilities.

Jackson County Employees Retirement System Board

The Jackson County Employees Retirement System Board primary responsibility is general administration, management and proper operation of the Retirement System.

Road Commission
The oversight for the operation of the County Road Commission, an agency responsible for all activities which occur on or adjacent to 1560 miles of primary and local roadways and bridges located outside incorporated cities and villages. One Road Commissioner is responsible for the operation of his/her assigned area. The Commission oversees routine maintenance activities on approx. 200 miles of state roadway under contract with MDOT.

This board consists of five (5) members, and the length of term is six (6) years (staggered).

Jackson Transportation Authority
The Transportation Authority’s primary responsibilities are to plan, promote, purchase, acquire, establish, own, operate, or cause to be operated, maintained, improved, enlarged,  or modernized, a public mass transit system within the City of Jackson, and to provide such services outside the City if done so pursuant to an actual cost basis contract.

The Authority consists of nine (9) persons – four (4) City representatives, one (1) County representative, one (1) Blackman Township representative, one (1) Summit Township representative, one (1) Leoni Township representative, and one (1) LifeWays representative. Members shall not be an elected or appointed public officer, nor shall they be a public employee of a city, village, township or county in Michigan.

Meetings are held on the 4th Thursday of each month in Room 101 of the County Tower Building, 120 W. Michigan Avenue. The length of term is three (3) years and appointments are made in March.

Sanitary Code Board of Appeals
The Sanitary Code Board of Appeals’ primary responsibility is to hear variance requests for water and sewage systems for on-site wells and sewage systems for new construction. 

The Board consists of ten (10) members – two (2) of which are public seats.

Meetings are called when necessary to hear appeals and are held at the Health Department.

The length of term is four (4) years and appointments are made in January.

Jackson County Comprehensive Traffic Safety Commission
The JTSP is a federally funded pilot project through NHTSA and OHSP.  Rules and procedures have been adopted by the JTSP Commission or were incorporated in the original grant application to OHSP. The Commission’s primary responsibility is to communicate to the Unit represented the goals, objectives, activities, projects and progress of the JTSP and to approve traffic safety grants to be funded on an annual basis through NHTSA and OHSP.

The Commission consists of 9 members and 3 coordinators. There is one (1) County Commissioner member, one (1) public member, one (1) representative each from: City government, local government, education, medical, law enforcement, engineering, and courts.

Meetings are held on the 2nd Thursday of each month in Room 101 of the Jackson County Tower Building. The length of term is two (2) years and appointments are made in December.

Veterans Affairs Committee
The Veterans Affairs Committee’s primary responsibility is to check verification of burial claims, set policies of Veterans Office, to be informed of veterans legislation – old and new, and assess the budget.

There are four (4) positions mandated by the State Statute: WWI Veteran, WWII Veteran, Korean War Veteran, Vietnam Veteran. Members must be recommended through the local veterans organization. Applicants must submit with their application the Recommendation for Appointment form from a chartered veterans organization and their DD214 form.

Meetings are held on the 1st Monday of the month. The length of term is four (4) years and appointments are made in March.

Blackman LDFA
The purpose of the LDFA is to encourage local development to prevent conditions of unemployment and promote economic growth. The LDFA provides for the creation and implementation of development plans. The LDFA can buy and sell interests in real and personal property. It can also incur debt to further the goals and purposes of the LDFA.

Governed by Public Act 281 of 1986, an LDFA captures tax increment financing in an effort to develop areas with the highest potential for development. A tax increment financing plan and development plan are necessary for the LDFA to capture the taxes.

In 1991, Blackman Charter Township created the Local Development Finance Authority primarily for the purpose of funding the infrastructure needs of an industrial development for TAC Manufacturing. Today, this Authority has added another industrial resident, Kaneka Texas Corporation.

The length of term is three (3) years and appointments are made in March.

Blackman DDA
A DDA encourages local units of government to prevent conditions of unemployment and promote economic growth in their downtown business districts. Governed by Public Act 197 of 1975, a DDA captures tax increment financing in an effort to improve a business district by adding needed infrastructure like sidewalks for example. A tax increment financing plan and development plan are necessary for the DDA to capture taxes.

The DDA was created by Ordinance No. 55 of the Blackman Charter Township Board on November 21, 1988. Blackman Charter Township wanted to encourage and assist development in the area primarily southwest of the I-94 and Airport Road interchanged.

In 1993, the DDA was reinstated and boundaries were expanded to include a portion of Scheele Industrial Park northeast of I-94 and Airport Road interchange. The expansion also included several parcels of land adjacent to Meijers. The boundary was also extended south on Airport Road to the point where the proposed water line extension would connect with an existing water line on Argyle Road.

In 2004, the DDA expanded to the east of the current eastern boundary with a northern border of Springport Road, an eastern border of U.S. 127, and a southern border of the parcels along Boardman Road, back to the original Authority western boundary.

Community Action Agency
The Community Action Agency purpose is “to stimulate a better focusing of available local, state, private and federal resources with the goal of enabling low-income families, and low-income individuals of all ages, in rural and urban areas, to attain the skills, knowledge and motivation, and secure the opportunities needed for them to become self-sufficient.

Community Action Agencies by statute can have no more than 51 members. One-third membership are public officials, at least one-third membership are poor or representatives of poor groups, and the remaining are to be officials or members of private interest (business, labor, education). Region II CAA’s bylaws provide for a 27 member board; 14 from Jackson, 8 from Lenawee, and 5 from Hillsdale.

For Public Officials, no limitation on length of service except by the body that appoints them. Members other than Public Officials, maximum 5 year term, minimum 1 year off Board, followed by 5 year term if reappointed by respective group.

Domestic Violence Coordinating Council
In 1996 AWARE initiated a Legal Advocacy Program in collaboration with the Jackson County Domestic Violence Coordination Council.  An Outreach Program was also begun with a grant from Jackson County Family Independence Agency.  AWARE completed renovation of a new shelter facility and moved in June 1997.

Meetings are held in Judge Vandercooks meeting room on the third thursday of every month at Noon.

Members have no limitation on length of service except by the body that appoints them.

Local Branch FEMA
It is mandated by national FEMA to have a local branch of FEMA to be handled by United Way and they need a representative of local government (commissioner).  They follow federal guidelines on the allocation process and the makeup of their Board. Amounts of money are allocated to various agencies that apply needing food, shelter and utilities for clients, such as the Interfaith Shelter, Aware, CAA, Florence Crittenton, St. Vincent DePaul, etc.

Meetings are held three (3) time a year at 7:30 a.m. These meetings are called when receiving FEMA notices.

Members have indefinite length of service or until the end of their term.