 Serving all of Oakland County's 19 districts
JULY 2023
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 On June 15, several past winners of the Board’s Black Excellence Award gathered with commissioners and Oakland County Chief Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Officer Harry Weaver for a special event in the lobby of the Board of Commissioners Auditorium.
Excitement had been building for weeks since they had first been invited to an unveiling ceremony of a plaque engraved with their names. The permanent marker memorializes the eight honorees recognized since the Black Excellence Award program was launched by Commissioners Angela Powell (District 9), Janet Jackson (District 18) and Yolanda Smith Charles (District 17) in February 2022, and it dedicates space for the names of future winners. The unveiling coincided with Juneteenth celebrations around the county.
The ceremony included remarks from Commissioners Powell, Jackson and Smith Charles as well as a reading of an original poem, “Legacy,” written by 2022 Black Excellence Award recipient Ber-Henda Williams. P's and Q’s Bakery and Café, a Black, woman-owned shop based in Pontiac, also provided refreshments.
The Black Excellence Award program recognizes Black residents of Oakland County for making outstanding strides to improve their communities. Nominations are sought from community members each December and January, and awards are presented during Black History Month each February.
Each year, the Board of Commissioners adopts the county’s triennial, or three-year, budget, which helps set priorities and programming that will benefit Oakland County’s residents, businesses and organizations. Oakland County Executive Dave Coulter will present his administration’s recommended budget proposal this July, and the Board will adopt a final budget in September. But what happens in between? Get answers to frequently asked questions below.
Who’s involved and what’s the timeline?
The Oakland County Executive presents a proposed county budget to the Board of Commissioners in July. Executive Dave Coulter will present this year’s budget, covering fiscal years 2024-2026, during the full Board meeting on July 20.
Next, the Board’s Finance Committee, chaired by Commissioner Gwen Markham (District 15), reviews the proposed plan and hosts hearings with county department leaders throughout August.
Once all hearings are concluded, the Finance Committee discusses any amendments its members feel are appropriate and then presents the amended budget to the full Board of Commissioners for a vote in September. This year, the vote is scheduled to take place during the Board’s annual meeting at 9:30 a.m. on September 21.
What happens during budget hearings?
In the months leading up to the hearings, county departments have been examining their budgets and anticipating upcoming needs. The county’s Management and Budget department then works with them to incorporate their ideas into the County Executive’s proposal.
During the budget hearings, leaders from each county department explain their goals, such as expanding access to affordable housing or attracting new businesses, for the upcoming year and how they impact residents. These leaders then answer questions from commissioners related to how their department’s funding will be spent. With more than 20 county departments presenting, the budget hearings last several weeks.
What's the importance of a triennial budget?
Adopting a budget that looks three years into the future gives Oakland County increased financial stability, even in uncertain economic times, by providing longer-term planning and better opportunities to respond to crises. Previously on a biennial schedule, the decision to add a fiscal year to the budget in 2009 made Oakland County the first in the country to adopt this level of forward planning.
How can I stay informed during the budget process?
All hearings are open to the public and will also be live streamed on the Board’s YouTube channel. Find this year’s budget hearings schedule at https://bit.ly/OCBOCCal.
In celebration of Juneteenth, a holiday that commemorates the official end of slavery in the United States, Oakland County dedicated a historical plaque honoring Elizabeth Denison Forth, the first woman of color to own property in Oakland County and the territory of Michigan. Board Vice Chair Marcia Gershenson (District 11) and Commissioner Angela Powell (District 9) joined County Executive David Coulter and Chief Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Officer Harry Weaver to highlight the importance of the holiday. Attendees also witnessed the raising of the Juneteenth flag at the courthouse while enjoying food from local food trucks and performances by storyteller Baba O and Nanou Djiapo, an African drum and dance group from metro Detroit.
The Oakland County Board of Commissioners spearheaded an effort to honor Forth in February 2022 with a resolution dedicating funds to a permanent marker. With the input of local historians and enthusiasts from around the county, the installation serves as a reminder of the county’s collective and inspiring history.
Forth was born into slavery in 1786. According to the Michigan Women Forward website, she won her freedom by escaping to Canada after a court ruling by the Michigan Territory Supreme Court in 1807 that stated escaped slaves who established their freedom in Canada could not be returned to slavery upon return to the United States. She came back to Detroit a free woman by working as a domestic servant in Solomon Sibley’s household, the first mayor of Detroit.
In 1825, Forth purchased 48 acres of land in Pontiac, which today forms part of Oak Hill Cemetery. Never living on the property, she leased it to her brother for farming. She also invested money in the first steamboat built in the upper lakes, Walk-in-the-Water, and Detroit’s Farmers and Mechanics Bank. After her death in 1866, she left a portion of her estate for the building of St. James Episcopal Church on Grosse Ile, which remains an active congregation today. She is buried in Elmwood Cemetery in Detroit.
For more information about the event, visit https://bit.ly/OCJuneteenth2023.
The Board regularly recognizes residents, community members, organizations and businesses with proclamations and certificates in honor of special milestones, contributions or achievements. See the list below for recent recognitions.
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Serenity Grace Boutique, located in downtown Davisburg, welcomed new ownership with a ribbon cutting – presented by Commissioner Bob Hoffman (District 7), June 2.
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Maria’s Market held its grand opening in Davisburg – presented by Commissioner Hoffman, June 2.
- A prelude event to the 175th anniversary of the founding of Ortonville, Amos Orton’s Birthday Bash featured a pet parade and ice cream social for the community – presented by Commissioner Hoffman, June 7.
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Tinsman Farms Apothecary, whose owners have direct ancestral ties to one of Holly’s founders, is a holistic health food store that opened in the historic downtown – presented by Commissioner Hoffman, June 7.
- Newly opened Northern Roots Wellness & Coaching was welcomed to the Clarkston community during its grand opening – presented by Commissioner Karen Joliat (District 8), June 7.
- An expanded Habitat for Humanity ReStore in Waterford hosted a grand reopening in its same space, but with double the size of its former footprint – presented by Commissioners Joliat, Kristen Nelson (District 10) and Christine Long (District 12), June 9.
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Pastor John W. Gunn, founder of the Power Company Kids Club, was celebrated for his three decades of lifting up at-risk youth and enabling them to thrive – presented by Commissioners Angela Powell (District 9) and Nelson, June 9.
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The Board observed World Refugee Day with Martin Manna, president of the Chaldean American Chamber of Commerce – presented by Commissioner William Miller (District 16), June 15.
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Wilma Cotton was honored by the Board for 10 years of service and leadership of the Oakland County Board of Canvassers – presented by Commissioner Brendan Johnson (District 4), with support from all commissioners, June 15.
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Team Pontiac, a community-based basketball team and winner of two silver medals in the Special Olympics’ USA Games, was celebrated for their successes – presented by Commissioners Powell and Nelson, June 15.
- Local civil rights activist and Southfield resident Barbara Talley was recognized for 40 years of committed public service – presented by Commissioners Yolanda Smith Charles (District 17) and Janet Jackson (District 18), June 26.
- S. Army veteran and local resident William Miller celebrated his 97th birthday – presented by Commissioner Smith Charles, June 27.
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Paul Englehart, trustee for VFW Post 3243 & Auxiliary in Fenton, WWII veteran and long-time employee of GM, turned 98 years old – presented by Commissioner Hoffman, June 27.
- Clarkston-based Verde Capital Management, a financial planning and wealth management firm, observed its 15th year of business – presented by Commissioner Joliat, June 28.
Upcoming meetings:
July 11 Healthy Aging Ad Hoc Committee, 8:30 a.m.
Legislative Affairs & Government Operations, 9:30 a.m.
Public Health & Safety, 11:00 a.m.
July 12 Economic Development & Infrastructure, 9:30 a.m.
Finance, 11:00 a.m.
July 20 Majority Caucus, 5:00 p.m.
Full Board, 6:00 p.m.
July 25 Legislative Affairs & Government Operations, 9:30 a.m.
Public Health & Safety, 11:00 a.m.
July 26 Economic Development & Infrastructure, 9:30 a.m.
Finance, 11:00 a.m.
Full Board and standing committee meetings are open to the public at 1200 N. Telegraph Road, Pontiac, and livestreamed on the Board’s YouTube channel. For more information, visit https://bit.ly/OCBOCCal or https://bit.ly/OCCivicClerk. Follow the Board on Facebook for the latest updates.
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The three counties that make up the tri-county area – Oakland, Macomb and Wayne – have partnered together to help bridge the digital divide. Legislative leaders from the three counties want to ensure proper funding is allocated to provide for affordable, reliable high-speed internet across the region.
Residents and businesses can report their experience with broadband service at www.merit.edu/Tri-County-BroadBand through a brief survey managed by Merit Network, a Michigan-based nonprofit.
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There’s a lot happening in Oakland County! Check out the latest news and upcoming events:
- It’s July, and that means the Oakland County Fair is returning to Springfield Oaks in Davisburg! The annual event, which runs July 7-16, offers fun for the whole family, including glass blowing demonstrations, a petting zoo, music, thrilling carnival rides and a variety of entertaining main area events. Check out the schedule and get your tickets at oakfair.org.
- Oakland County’s strategic goal of affordable housing is moving forward with the appointments of the county’s first housing and neighborhood development officer and first housing trust fund manager. County Executive Dave Coulter appointed Khadija Walker-Fobbs to lead the Neighborhood & Housing Development Division and Kyle Hines to oversee the Oakland Together Housing Trust Fund: oakgov.com/news.
- Calling all history buffs! The Oakland County Historical Commission’s website now features a calendar that lists events open to the community hosted by local historical societies across the county. Visit oakgov.com/historicalcommission and plan to join July’s events, such as an ice cream social with mansion tours and historical reenactors in Pontiac, a museum open house and reception in West Bloomfield, and an educational talk about the history of Sears & Roebuck kit homes in Troy.
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