|
The Oakland County Board of Commissioners unanimously approved the triennial county budget resolution for fiscal years 2022 through 2024 at its meeting on September 29, 2021.
Adoption of the FY 2022 balanced budget was the result of an extensive, collaborative and bipartisan effort. The three-year budget was first proposed by County Executive David Coulter to the Board of Commissioners on July 1, 2021. The Finance Committee conducted an in-depth review of the plan and hosted 22 budget hearings with department heads in the months following the original proposal.
The total budget funds for 2022, 2023 and 2024 are $961,599,567; $954,816,424 and $969,412,199, respectively.
With the 2022-2024 budget, the county prioritizes public health, workforce development, sustainability efforts and more, including:
- $4 million to match funding for local and county roads across Oakland County
- $150,000 to partner with local communities to support lake safety sheriff patrols
- $250,000 to combat invasive species attacking oak and other trees
- Increased investment to improve literacy rates in the county
- New social work services embedded in the Oakland County Sheriff’s Office
- Creation of a Conviction Integrity Unit in the Oakland County Prosecutor’s Office
For more information, visit https://bit.ly/OC22Budg.
Flu shots will be available from the Oakland County Health Division in early October, and they can be administered alongside COVID-19 vaccinations.
Experts believe possible side effects are similar whether either vaccine is given alone or with other vaccines, and there is no evidence that getting a flu vaccination raises your risk of getting sick from COVID-19.
Third doses of the Pfizer (ages 12+) or Moderna (ages 18+) vaccine are available for immunosuppressed individuals who have received their second dose at least 28 days prior. The additional vaccine dose should be the same product as the initial 2-dose vaccine series. Anyone 18 and older who received 1st and 2nd dose Pfizer COVID-19 vaccines may be eligible for a booster 6 months after their 2nd dose.
More information about eligibility is available at www.OaklandCountyVaccine.com. Those who do not have access to the internet may call the Nurse on Call at 800-848-5533 Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. – 5 p.m. for more information related to vaccines.
Two national awards are shining a spotlight on Oakland County’s digital response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The county received the Granicus Digital Government Award for its overall Digital Coronavirus Response and a Project Experience Award from the Center for Digital Government for its #OaklandTogether COVID-19 Tribute.
Oakland County’s digital coronavirus response, for which it won the Granicus Digital Government Award, included Board of Commissioners meetings by virtually accessible videos with online citizen feedback. The Center for Digital Government’s Project Experience Award highlights Oakland County’s collaborative effort to produce the #OaklandTogether COVID-19 Tribute.
To learn more about Oakland County’s digital resources for COVID-19, visit to www.oakgov.com/COVID or www.OaklandCountyVaccine.com. To view full Board and standing committee meetings, visit www.oakgov.com/boc and click the “Watch the Board” button at the top of the page.
For more information, visit https://bit.ly/OCDigAwrds21.
Oakland County Parks and Recreation (OCPR) passes for 2022 are now available for purchase, and they are free to some qualified residents.
Passes are $30 for Oakland County residents, $48 for regular rate/non-residents, and $32 for senior citizens ages 62+, adaptive, military and veterans. In addition, discounted passes are available for additional permits for the same household when purchased in-person or by mail in the same transaction as the initial pass.
In 2020, voters approved the OCPR Millage Replacement and Increase, which allows Oakland County Parks to provide a free Annual Vehicle Permit (AVP) to Oakland County seniors (62+), active military, veterans, and persons with permanent disabilities, which must be claimed in person. Other discounts for these groups across the park system remain the same, including discounts for non-resident seniors, active military and veterans, and persons with disabilities.
For more information about Oakland County Parks passes, please visit https://www.oakgov.com/parks/shop/Pages/Park-Entry.aspx.
The Oakland County Board of Commissioners has begun using a new digital agenda and meeting management system.
The software, called CivicClerk, automates several aspects of the meetings, such as updates to the agenda, the compilation of meeting minutes and internal item review processes. Macomb County and Wayne County have similar systems in place, and CivicClerk allows full compliance with the Michigan Open Meetings Act.
In addition, the public can more easily view meeting outcomes, and updates to agendas can be made in real-time, allowing for commissioners to respond to emerging issues. All Board of Commissioners meeting resources can be accessed from the “Meeting Resources” page on the Board website. Users can click “View Current Meeting Resources” at the top of the page, which will direct them to the new portal. From there, they will be able to view a schedule of upcoming meetings, plus view or download relevant agendas and packets once they are available. Previous agendas and minutes can be accessed through the OpenOakland site linked at the bottom of the “Meeting Resources” page.
The Oakland County Board of Commissioners website, Facebook page, YouTube channel and commissioner newsletters are great ways for residents to stay engaged with the Board.
Those who follow or “like” the Board @oakgov.boc on Facebook will see photos from events, the Board’s latest press releases, and updates about events going on around the county and more in their news feed. Subscribing to the Board’s YouTube channel allows followers to receive notifications when Board meetings are live and easily find recent videos. The channel can be found by searching for the “Oakland County Board of Commissioners” or going to bit.ly/YouTubeBOC.
By visiting www.oakgov.com/boc, constituents can watch Board and committee meetings and access the latest news, meeting calendars, information about each commissioner and more. Constituents can also sign up for their commissioner’s newsletter by clicking “Sign Up for my Newsletter” on the commissioner’s county website. They can find their commissioner by visiting www.oakgov.com/boc.
Was this message forwarded to you? Be sure to sign up for Commissioner Kowall's monthly district updates here: bit.ly/KowallSubscribe
|
