Mich. Comp. Laws § 400.48
Subject to the provisions of this subsection, the department director may organize not more than 3 counties into a single administrative unit for purposes of administrative efficiency. Before a decision is made to organize counties into a single administrative unit as allowed under this section, the department shall have a formal consultation with the boards of those counties. The director of the single administrative unit shall be appointed by the department from among persons certified as eligible and recommended by the department and by all of the affected county boards. If the affected county boards are unable to reach agreement on recommended candidates within 3 months after being notified of a vacancy, the director of the single administrative unit shall be appointed by the department from among persons certified as eligible and recommended by the department and by 1 or more of the affected county boards.
MCL 400.48