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Incoming members of the 2021-2022 Oakland County Board of Commissioners were sworn in during the first full board meeting of the new term on January 6.
David T. Woodward (D-Royal Oak) was re-elected chairman, and Marcia Gershenson (D-Bloomfield Township) was re-elected vice chairwoman.
Commissioners Charlie Cavell (D-Ferndale), Yolanda Charles (D-Southfield) and Karen Joliat (R-Waterford Township) are new commissioners, and Chuck Moss (R-Birmingham) returns to the Board after serving from 2000-2006.
For the majority caucus, Commissioner Kristen Nelson (D-Waterford Township) has been appointed chairperson, and Commissioner Janet Jackson (D-Southfield) has been appointed vice chairperson.
For the minority caucus, Commissioner Michael Spisz (R-Oxford) has been appointed chairperson, and Commissioner Michael J. Gingell (R-Lake Orion) has been appointed vice chairperson.
The Board also established the following committees for the term:
- Economic Development and Infrastructure
- Public Health and Safety
- Finance
- Legislative Affairs and Government Operations
For more information about the Board of Commissioners, go to www.oakgov.com/boc.
As of the beginning of January, Oakland County has received more than 5,500 doses of the COVID-19 vaccine. The supply of vaccines will continually increase in the weeks and months that follow until everyone is able to receive a vaccine.
Oakland County Health Division (OCHD) is following the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommendations for prioritization of distribution of COVID-19 vaccines to individuals.
The Health Division’s website offers:
- Updates and planning related to distribution
- Answers to frequently asked questions (FAQs)
- Information on how to make appointments
- Other available resources
For this and more, visit www.oakgov.com/covid/vaccine.
Oakland County is utilizing all of the $219 million received in 2020 as federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act funding in support of the pandemic response.
This includes more than $145 million in grants to help stabilize and support small businesses, residents and communities in every part of the county.
The grants have been awarded to more than 15,000 local businesses, which employ 65,000 people; 22 local chambers of commerce; 57 cities, villages, and townships, 278 non-profit and 31 veterans services organizations; 28 local school districts as well as retailers, restaurants, community centers and more.
Working together, Oakland County acted early to support residents and businesses and never stopped to ensure the federal funds were fully utilized in the pandemic response. It is vital that these efforts continue in 2021 as the challenge of vaccination delivery and economic recovery remain front and center.
For more details on the grants, click here.
Oakland County’s fiscal leadership remains strong in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic. For the 29th year in a row, the Government Finance Officers Association of the United States and Canada (GFOA) bestowed top honors for fiscal reporting to the county.
Oakland County earned the Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting for its Comprehensive Annual Financial Report (CAFR) for Fiscal Year 2019, which was published in 2020.
The CAFR discloses the county's finances in full detail to anyone who wants to review them, especially those who seek to invest in Oakland County.
The GFOA awards the certificate to governments to encourage them to go beyond the minimum requirements of generally accepted accounting principles to prepare comprehensive annual financial reports that evidence the spirit of transparency and full disclosure and then to recognize individual governments that succeed in achieving that goal.
To view the fiscal 2019 CAFR, click this link.
Oakland County Parks and Recreation (OCPR) Annual Vehicle Permits are now available for 2021.
The permit provides access to eight parks including:
- Addison Oaks County Park north of Rochester
- Groveland Oaks County Park in Holly
- Highland Oaks County Park in Highland
- Independence Oaks County Park in Clarkston
- Lyon Oaks County Park in Wixom
- Orion Oaks County Park in Lake Orion
- Red Oaks Dog Park in Madison Heights
- Rose Oaks County Park in Holly
The cost for the Annual Vehicle Permit remains at $30 for residents and $48 for non-residents.
Permit holders receive park entry, free entry to the Fourth of July fireworks at Groveland Oaks County Park, as well as free parking at the Oakland County Fair on the grounds of Springfield Oaks County Park on two Oakland County Parks Days.
Free permits available to eligible residents
With voter approval of the 2020 Oakland County Parks and Recreation millage replacement and increase, Oakland County Parks and Recreation is providing a free Annual Vehicle Permit to eligible Oakland County residents, including:
- Seniors ages 62+
- Active military
- Veterans
- Individuals of any age with a permanent physical, mental or sensory impairment disability
Discounts on Annual Vehicle Permits are also available for eligible non-Oakland County residents; a second permit for another vehicle in the same household; and groups. For more information about permits and eligibility, visit OaklandCountyParks.com, call 248-858-0916 or e-mail info@oaklandcountyparks.com.
On December 17, 2020, former Commissioner Nancy Quarles (D-Southfield), Commissioner Eileen T. Kowall (R-White Lake) and Board Vice Chairwoman Marcia Gershenson (D-Bloomfield Township), along with County Executive David Coulter and Board Chairman David T. Woodward (D-Royal Oak), unveiled a new plaque at the Board of Commissioners Auditorium.
The plaque was installed to honor Oakland County’s 200th anniversary, which took place during 2020.
The event was streamed on Facebook to ensure proper physical distancing. A recording of the small ceremony can be found at bit.ly/BOCPlaqueUnveil.
For more information about the county’s bicentennial, visit www.oakgov.com/bicentennial.
Oakland County continues to host drive-thru COVID-19 testing locations sheltered from winter weather.
The locations are in the communities of Holly, Rochester, Southfield and Pontiac.
They are open by appointment only, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. as follows:
- Mondays: Old Holly Fire Station, 313 S. Broad St, Holly
- Tuesdays: Rochester Fire Station, 277 E. Second St, Rochester
- Wednesdays: Southfield City Hall Employee Parking Deck, 26000 Evergreen Rd, Southfield
- Thursdays: Pontiac Fire Station, 348 South Blvd, Pontiac
COVID-19 tests are available for anyone age 4 years and over. Children age 17 years and under must have COVID-19 symptoms and be a resident of or attend school in Oakland County to be tested.
There is no charge for tests and no prescription is needed. Appointments are required.
Please call Nurse on Call at 800-848-5533 to make an appointment.
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