A seemingly routine agenda that included regular business and proclamations to a pair of members who were voted out of office Thursday ended with a surprise from the county board’s chairman.

Don Brown announced at the end of the session Thursday he will resign from office effective Monday.

Brown, a Washington Township Republican, has held the seat for 34 years and has been chairman for the last four four years.

Thursday night, the Macomb County Public Works Office announced Brown is taking a position in Commissioner Candice Miller’s administration as deputy commissioner. In the role as chairman, Brown earned $95,518 this year, a figure that was set to increase to $101,249 next year and will eventually rise to $120,589 in 2028.

The release announcing his hiring by Miller did not include the salary he will receive. Brown takes the post previously held by former deputy commissioner Dan Acciavatti, who left for a private sector post in September.

“I am pleased to announce that I have accepted the position of Deputy Public Works Commissioner offered to me by Commissioner Candice Miller. It is a natural fit for me given I’ve shared her passion for the environment and water quality through my long tenure as Commissioner,” Brown said, adding he looks forward to advancing water quality issues in the Clinton River and Lake St. Clair.

While Brown has served on the county board, he spent several years working in the offices of state and federal Republicans, including Miller when she served in Congress. Miller pointed to his experience and contacts as a plus.

“His knowledge and wide range of contacts at the local, state and national levels will enable him to easily make the transition from the board office in downtown Mount Clemens to our Public Works Office and devote all his energies to help us carry on our mantra that water quality equals quality of life,” she said.

Brown was first elected to the county board in 1988 at age 25. Prior to that, he was a Washington Township trustee.

“The relationships I have developed working on behalf of northern Macomb are strong. They know their call will be returned promptly, their problem is my problem and will do my best to help. My service to my constituents hasn’t ended, it just has changed,” he said.

Brown was first elected chairman after the GOP assumed control of the board for the first time ever. He is the second Republican to ever hold the position. Chesterfield Township Republican Kathy Vosburg served two years as board chair for a term from 2011-2013 when Democrats held the majority.

“I am very confident the foundation of cooperation our board has established with each other and the County Executive’s office to serve the best interest of all Macomb County’s residents will continue. We’ve practiced the phrase I often use, “One Team, One Mission.”

Macomb County Executive Mark Hackel has echoed the same sentiments in recent years, saying even though the have disagreements, some of which have been settled in court, his office and the board work in relative harmony.

“You can see the results through the state of your county government, strong financially, safe and improving in all areas. That doesn’t happen without teamwork of the entire county’s political, business and nonprofits community,” Brown said.

Also at Thursday’s meeting, officials issued proclamations to Michelle Nard and Gus Ghanam for their work as commissioners.