Oakland County, Michigan (September 4, 2008)

Recognizing that the responsibilities of a drain commissioner have changed dramatically over the years, Oakland County Drain Commissioner John P. McCulloch has asked the Oakland County Board of Commissioners to change the title of drain commissioner to water resources commissioner.

Considering how the duties have changed since the nineteenth century when lawmakers established the position of a county drain commissioner, the name change makes sense, McCulloch said.

Back then, the drain commissioner just dealt with drainage issues. Today, the office has grown to encompass a much greater array of responsibilities including water treatment and distribution, wastewater collection and treatment, storm water drainage, lake level controls and a wide variety of water quality issues, he said.

A resolution currently before the boards Planning and Building Committee, explains that Michigan law provides that a drain commissioner who performs functions in addition to those functions under the drain code, such as operating sewers, maintaining lake levels, enforcing soil erosion and sedimentation control and facilitating compliance with federal clean water act mandates may, by resolution approved by a majority of the county board of commissioners and with the consent of the drain commissioner, change the name from the office of the Drain Commissioner to the office of the Water Resources Commissioner.

Thats another way of saying that I do more than the duties normally associated with a drain commissioner, McCulloch said. The new name will give people a more accurate reflection of the position.

Currently, when I deliver speeches around the country and the state, I first have to explain what a drain commissioner is, he said. Its probably one of the least understood of any elected position. Its a position thats unique to Michigan and, depending on which county is involved, is quite diverse.

In fact, not all counties have a drain commissioner, McCulloch said. There are 83 counties in Michigan, but just 66 elected county drain commissioners. In those counties where there is no drain commissioner, the responsibility often is handled by the road commission or a soil conservation district.

Once the resolution is approved by the Planning and Building Committee, it will be reviewed by the Finance Committee before being considered for final adoption by the full Board of Commissioners. The resolution is slated to become effective in 2009.