July 26, 2023
Bi-Weekly Executive Newsletter
Dear Friends,
Last week, I presented my three-year rolling budget to the Board of Commissioners. It’s the fifth time I’ve been to the board to talk about priorities for the coming year and I’m proud to say that not only is it a fiscally responsible, balanced plan with significant reserves, but it builds on the investments we’ve made in people and communities that help us thrive and Always Moving Forward.
It is also a budget that will begin a transition away from the critical federal COVID relief funding we received over the last three years that allowed us to provide essential services to our residents and has given the county the tools to recover and survive the devastating public health crisis.
We have been able to do some amazing things with that money, from investing in education and training for our residents through our Oakland80 initiative, to the nearly $40 million investment to improve and expand access to mental health care services, to the small business consultants and coaches we’ve embedded in our communities and the $15 million we’ve invested in parks.
We are looking for creative and financially smart ways to continue this work once the federal funding ends. Similar to the model created with Automation Alley, transitioning the Business Forward small business program to the non-profit Oakland Thrive is one example of those efforts.
The budget I presented to the board is lean and disciplined. It is structurally balanced with no planned use of the budget surplus for ongoing operations. It includes a three percent pay hike for county employees, which I believe will help us retain and attract a talented workforce.
One of the things I’m most proud of in this budget is the way our departments have embraced the philosophy of constantly evaluating how we're doing our jobs in order to improve the services and programs we provide our customers. I am committed to delivering measurable results to you, centered around our eight strategic goals.
Each of the departments has been reporting to me and my leadership team over the last year and the proof of the success of this approach is in the data. Let me share a couple of examples.
By tracking the number of employee injuries, the Risk Management department has begun to target training and communications around safety with the goal of reducing the number of work-related injuries. In the past year, work-related injuries are down 62% saving the county money in both medical costs and lost time from employees hurt on the job.
The Medical Examiner’s office has a goal of responding to a death investigation within one hour of getting called, 80% of the time. But in past years, they had only reached that goal 4% of the time. With one small change – allowing the on-call investigator to take a county car and equipment home at night – they are now reaching their goal time 41% of the time and they’re getting closer every month.
This is the power of using data to improve services.
I believe this budget not only offers sound fiscal discipline to our work but builds on the important programs and services that are equally important to maintain the top AAA bond rating that is so important for our future plans.
The Board will be holding hearings on the budget in the coming month, and I look forward to hearing from them and you about how you think we’re doing.
With gratitude,
Dave Coulter
Oakland County Executive
Commissioner Gary McGillivray honored with namesake park
Oakland County Commissioner Gary R. McGillivray (D-Madison Heights) was honored recently as Twelve-Sherry Park, located on 12 Mile Road between Campbell and Stephenson roads, was renamed “McGillivray Park” during a special ceremony. McGillivray, who was mayor of Madison Heights from 1998 to 1999, has long been an advocate for Madison Heights, serving on its city council from 1983-1998 and 2001-2008. He has represented Madison Heights as a county commissioner since 2009.
“I'm very honored to receive this recognition from the city,” McGillivray said. “Parks and staying involved in the City of Madison Heights are a passion of mine, and I am humbled that McGillivray Park will serve as a place for everyone to enjoy the outdoors.”
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 Save the date: 36th Annual Airport Open House & Airshow Aug. 6
Join us for Oakland County International Airport's 36th annual Open House & Air Show Sunday, Aug. 6 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at 6500 Patterson Parkway, Waterford, MI 48327.
Admission and parking is free for this family-friendly event.
Watch skydivers and pilots perform aerial stunts, check out antique military aircrafts and vehicles, visit the health and safety fair and much more!
For information, visit oakgov.com/community/airports/open-house-air-show or facebook.com/OakGovAirport.
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