Detroit City Council members this week sat down with 10 finalists competing for one of Detroit’s most influential yet often under-the-radar posts: the city ombudsman. They are expected to vote on the appointment as early as next week.
The ombudsman is the person Detroiters call when city services fail, when complaints get lost in bureaucracy, or when residents feel their voices don’t reach the top. The office serves as a watchdog and mediator, bridging citizens and government, with authority to investigate complaints across city departments. The role comes with a decade-long term and a salary of $195,000, reflecting the weight of the responsibility. The current ombudsman, Bruce Simpson, reaches the end of his appointment on October 5.
City Council narrowed the pool of applicants and brought forward a mix of names that reflect both government insiders and community-rooted leaders. Among them is Gail Barnard, the current deputy ombudsman, who already has experience navigating citizen grievances within the office. Anthony Zander, who leads Detroit’s Civil Rights, Inclusion and Opportunity Department, is also in the running, bringing a background in equity enforcement. Tiffany Tilley, a member of the Michigan State Board of Education, has positioned herself as an advocate for families and young people, while District 2 manager Kim Tandy would arrive with experience directly tied to Mayor Mike Duggan’s administration…