April 1, 2022
Bi-Weekly Executive Newsletter
Dear Friends,
Did you know that Oakland County offers hundreds of services to its residents?
That’s right. These programs and services, ranging from guided trail hikes, to rental and housing assistance, to crime victims’ assistance are available to all Oakland County residents.
I think they’re the best kept secret in Oakland County. But no more.
Beginning today, I’m going to highlight these services in this newsletter so that you, the residents, businesses and organizations of Oakland County, can learn what we have to offer and how you can take advantage of these services.
The county’s public health technicians provide free vision and hearing screenings for children between the ages of 3 and 18 at our clinics in Pontiac and Southfield as well as in most public, private and charter schools and preschools in the county.
Even with COVID over the past two years, we were able to continue these hearing and vision tests for Oakland County’s students. Pre-COVID, we completed 54,968 hearing and 76,709 vision screenings for students. That number dropped a bit during COVID when schools were teaching remotely, but we expect the numbers to climb back again with full in-person learning.
Typically, the screenings occur before a child begins kindergarten, and then again periodically up to the ninth grade. It’s helps fulfill two of our goals identified in our recently released strategic framework: to help keep Oakland County residents healthy and improve their quality of life.
The tests play another significant role. It’s a way to detect potential problems early and give kids the best chance to perform academically at their highest level. Hearing or vision problems can affect a student’s ability to effectively learn, so identifying and treating a problem can help provide better chances for success.
While problems are rare, they do occasionally surface. For one student – 11-year-old Evan from Troy – his hearing test was a life saver last year. Our Health Division technicians discovered a significant hearing loss in Evan, which led him to his doctor, who discovered a dangerous cyst growing near his brain. Fortunately, doctors were able to remove the cyst last summer and Evan was back to school in the fall.
You can find more information about the hearing and vision screenings on the county’s website, oakgov.com. We’re committed to transparency, so you can learn even more about all the services we provide here in Oakland County.
And stay tuned for future spotlights on the myriad of other services we’re providing our residents.
With gratitude,
David Coulter
Oakland County Executive
 Oakland County offers free rabies vaccines in April
The Oakland County Animal Shelter and Pet Adoption Center will offer free rabies’ vaccines for dogs when their owners purchase a dog license during the month of April.
The Shelter will offer the shots from 9-11:30 a.m. every Tuesday during April and no appointment is necessary.
A dog license is $15 for one year or $40 for three years for dogs that are spayed or neutered. For a dog that is not spayed or neutered, the license fee is $25 for one year or $70 for three years. For more information, go to oakgov.com/petadoption or call 248-858-1070.
Oakland County wins fiscal transparency awards
The Government Finance Officers Association of the United States and Canada has awarded top honors in financial reporting to Oakland County for its FY 2020 Annual Comprehensive Financial Report and the FY 2020 Popular Annual Financial Report.
Both reports are available on the county’s website, so residents, businesses and potential investors can see the county’s finances in full detail.
Organizational excellence is among the seven goals outlined in the County’s new five-year roadmap, unveiled by Oakland County Executive David Coulter in his annual State of the County Address earlier this month.
“Our administration has a reputation for fiscal responsibility through prudent management, balanced three-year budges and innovative services,” said Coulter during his speech. “Maintaining fiscal discipline and ensuring the county lives within its means is a fundamental principle of good government. So is transparency.”
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