February 17, 2022
Bi-Weekly Executive Newsletter
Dear Friends,
Recently, we began talking with employees and our partners in the community about the framework that will guide our work over the next five years.
It’s driven by a simple, but powerful mission statement: “To serve through collaborative leadership and to help support communities where residents flourish and businesses thrive.”
The framework outlines a key set of goals that are fundamental to providing excellent service and support to our residents, businesses, communities and organizations:
We will:
- Support an inclusive and thriving economy
- Increase access to quality health care, including physical and behavioral health.
- Expand training and education programs so our residents have access to good-paying jobs
- Protect our environment and address the impact of climate change through environmental sustainability programs.
- Promote public safety and fairness in our legal system
- Support livable and affordable neighborhoods
- Maintain and build on the county’s reputation as a responsible manager of taxpayer dollars.
These are our roadmaps to continue to provide excellent services and support to our residents. And soon you’ll be able to track our progress on these goals on the county’s website. We want to hold ourselves accountable and we want you to be able to do the same.
We can’t achieve the goals we’re setting in each of those areas without strong collaborations and partnerships with the federal and state government and the 63 communities that make up Oakland County.
Last week, the idea of seeking out those alliances to make transformational progress on the county’s priorities bore fruit when Gov. Gretchen Whitmer presented her proposed budget to the state Legislature.
We both understand that, with federal COVID relief funding through the American Rescue Plan, we are looking at a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to make significant investments and now is the time to do that.
Working with the state to promote and fund programs that will benefit the residents of Oakland County and Michigan is a perfect complement to the county’s mission and goals.
With American Rescue Plan dollars at our disposal, we can combine state, county and local funding to gain the maximum benefit.
While there is funding for many of our priorities in the proposed state budget, here are a couple that I’m particularly excited about:
- $361 million for school-based mental health care. This is an area that we knew we had to addressed even before COVID hit Michigan in 2020. The pandemic forced schools into remote learning, leaving kids isolated and without many of their traditional social support networks. The state money, combined with the ARP dollars we’re investing in mental health programs will go a long way to get struggling students the help they need.
- $95 million to continue the Going Pro and Reconnect programs to help students and adult learners get college scholarships and job training. Thousands of Oakland County residents have participated in these programs. And Oakland County is making sure students don’t face economic barriers to complete that education by providing funding for the expensive extras, like books, supplies, work equipment, transportation and childcare.
I know that this is just a start and the Legislature will have a lot to say about the proposed budget in the coming months. But I’m optimistic that solid partnerships with the state and our communities will help us make the transformational changes that will make a real difference for Oakland County.
With gratitude,
David Coulter
Oakland County Executive
State of the County set for March 15
Oakland County Executive David Coulter will deliver his third annual State of the County address at 7 p.m., March 15 from the new M1 Concourse Event Center in Pontiac.
Coulter will providing a look back on 2021 and a glimpse into the priorities and plans for the upcoming year.
The message will be broadcast by WDET-FM (101.9) and will be livestreamed on the county’s website.
 School Mask requirement in Oakland County will end Feb. 28
The Oakland County Health Division announced last week that the school mask requirement will end on Feb. 28.
The health division weighed many factors in lifting the rule, including: steeply declining COVID case numbers and hospitalizations; and increasing vaccination rates in the county.
The division is still strongly recommends wearing a mask while in public indoor settings.
Opportunity Awaits for Oakland Job Seekers
Several Oakland County departments, including the Health Division, Parks and Recreation, the courts and Sheriff’s Office, Animal Shelter and Pet Adoption Center are posting a wide variety of summer job openings that are ideal for college students or teenagers looking for some work experience.
Oakland County summer jobs pay between $11.31 and $18.85 per hour, depending on job classification. Apply on-line at www.oakgov.com/jobs or call 248-858-0530 for more information.
WRC holding manhole cover art contest
The Oakland County Water Resources Commissioner's office has launched the: Preserve MI Waters: Stormwater Manhole Cover Art Contest.
The office is seeking original art submissions to be added to 50 stormwater manhole covers throughout Oakland County. Participants must be students attending high school (9-12 Grade) or actively enrolled in an Oakland County college during the time of the contest.
Pure Oakland Water will provide the contest winner with a $1000 scholarship.
The contest closes on March 11, 2022.
For complete contest details and promotional materials, visit: www.oakgov.com/coverartcontest.
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