 Serving all of Oakland County's 19 districts
SEPTEMBER 2023
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During its meeting on September 21, the Board of Commissioners unanimously adopted the triennial county budget for fiscal years 2024-2026, which includes more than $1 billion for fiscal year 2024.
Adopting the FY 2024 balanced budget followed an extensive, collaborative and bipartisan effort. It was first proposed by County Executive David Coulter to the Board of Commissioners on July 20, 2023. Following this proposal, the Finance Committee conducted an in-depth review of the plan and hosted 22 budget hearings with county department leaders.
Throughout the budget process, commissioners made adjustments to reflect needs and priorities and pass a true structurally balanced budget. A few final amendments included $6 million to leverage matching funds to improve local roads, $725,000 to support upgrading Taser equipment in the Oakland County Sheriff’s Department, improving funding to support the county animal shelter and additional resources dedicated to performance auditing to increase transparency and oversight.
The total budget funds for 2024, 2025 and 2026 are $1.080 billion, $1.088 billion and $1.108 billion, respectively. With the 2024-2026 budget, the county prioritizes a strong economy, healthy and safe residents and communities, and opportunities for residents to live their best lives. For more information, visit https://bit.ly/BOCbudget24.
Oakland County commissioners met with fellow legislators from Macomb and Wayne counties on September 8 for the 15th Tri-County Summit at the Grosse Pointe War Memorial.
During the summit, the Merit Network Moonshot Project gave an update on the status of the tri-county broadband survey. This survey was an outcome from the 2022 summit and is still currently seeking resident feedback regarding high-speed internet service accessibility, affordability and availability across the three counties. Take the survey at https://bit.ly/tricountybroadband.
Commissioner Penny Luebs (District 2) then kicked off the event's next segment on behavioral health and invited guest speakers from the Macomb County juvenile court, Wayne County probate court, Wayne Integrated Health Network, Oakland Community Health Network, and Macomb County Sherriff’s Office to discuss the current systems and programs in place that address mental health intervention and assistance in the justice system and the community at large. Watch this video to see clips from the conversations during this session.
Afterwards, Commissioner Brendan Johnson (District 4) moderated a discussion from experts that represented a cross-section of the electric vehicle (EV) industry, including industry leaders from DTE Energy, General Motors and ChargePoint, the largest online network of independently owned EV charging stations. The question-and-answer forum focused on the future infrastructure needs to support the growth of EVs in the Metro-Detroit area. To learn more from this discussion, watch this video.
Board Chair David T. Woodward (District 1) closed the event with Chairs Don Brown of Macomb and Alisha Bell of Wayne by announcing a new Tri-County Behavioral Health Task Force to address behavioral health within justice systems. Additionally, the county leaders agreed to support holistic efforts to create an EV-friendly region.
For more information about the summit, visit https://bocmacomb.org/events/tri-county-summit/.
Earlier this year, Commissioners Angela Powell (District 9) and Kristen Nelson (District 10) launched a social media initiative through the Board of Commissioners’ Facebook page to highlight the importance of mental wellness. The goal for the social campaign was to raise awareness of local mental health resources, including the Oakland Community Health Network and Common Ground in Pontiac. The #MentalHealthMonday posts began in May as a part of Mental Health Awareness Month and will be wrapping up in time for World Mental Health Day on October 10.
During the past several months, commissioners joined in on this initiative and featured mental health resources throughout the county. Board Vice Chair Marcia Gershenson (District 11) highlighted Gilda’s Club in Royal Oak, a community group that provides free support groups for those battling cancer and their loved ones. Commissioner Karen Joliat (District 8) visited the opening of Ellie Mental Health in Clarkston, a new office in the community that provides therapy and counseling services. Commissioner Penny Luebs interviewed the founder of Hope365 in Rochester, a respite care home that provides free housing and mental health support for up to seven days.
Mental health is equally as important as physical health. Oakland County has a variety of resources that can help residents at any stage of their wellness journey. If you are ever in crisis, call 988 to reach the National Suicide and Crisis Lifeline for 24/7 support and assistance.
The tri-county broadband survey will be closing on October 27, and officials are looking for your feedback!
Commissioners are urging residents to complete a brief, 15-question survey, created in partnership with Merit Network, a Michigan-based nonprofit, to provide information about affordability, reliability and availability of broadband internet in Oakland County. Results from the survey will inform commissioners and other legislators across the state when they make decisions about future infrastructure updates to ensure the most equitable broadband access possible.
Residents who respond and provide their address will be entered into a weekly drawing for a Meijer gift card until the survey closes. Those who have already responded and provided their addresses will also be entered into a drawing for a gift card.
Whether or not your household currently has access to wired or fixed broadband internet, your participation in the survey is invaluable. If you haven’t yet completed the survey and wish to make your voice heard, visit https://bit.ly/44lvR2s for answers to commonly asked questions, or visit www.merit.edu/Tri-County-BroadBand/ to take the survey. It is important to complete the survey while on your home internet network.
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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Fox Run Eco-Initiative Group celebrated 18 years of working with the senior living community in making eco-conscious development decisions and publishing its latest Fox Run Ecos newsletter – presented by Commissioners Gwen Markham (District 15) and Ajay Raman (District 14), September 7.
- The life and memory of Ernest Allen Sr., longtime Pontiac resident, activist and public servant, was honored – presented by Commissioner Angela Powell (District 9), September 9.
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HOTWORX, a new business in Clarkston, hosted a ribbon cutting and grand opening – presented by Commissioner Karen Joliat (District 8), September 13.
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The Board unanimously proclaimed September 11-17 as Patriot Week in Oakland County – presented by Commissioner Bob Hoffman (District 7), September 14.
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Nationally renowned comedian Terry Hodges, who was born and raised in Pontiac, received recognition for his successful career – presented by Commissioner Powell, September 14.
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The Village of Ortonville marked its 175th anniversary after a variety of yearlong activities and observations – presented by Commissioner Hoffman, September 16.
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Jack & Jill of America Inc of Oakland County, a nationwide organization focused on supporting college-bound students and after-school programming, reached the milestone of its 45th anniversary – presented by Commissioners Janet Jackson (District 18), Powell and Yolanda Smith Charles (District 17), September 16.
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Lume Cannabis Co. opened a new location in Holly, bringing the company’s total number of Michigan locations to 37 – presented by Commissioner Hoffman, September 16.
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The Board aimed to bring awareness to an underreported form of abuse by declaring October 14 as Child to Parent Violence and Abuse Awareness Day – presented by Commissioner Smith Charles, September 21.
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The state's 13,400 miles of paved and natural trails were recognized during Michigan Trails Week, which takes place from September 17-24 – presented by Commissioner Charlie Cavell (District 19), September 21.
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Raggs-N-Relics, a boutique specializing in women’s mid- to high-end clothing and accessories as well as curated vintage and antique home décor, opened its doors in Holly – presented by Commissioner Hoffman, September 21.
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The 100-year anniversary of the Pontiac Lions Club, a service organization dedicated to meeting the needs of the local community, was honored – presented by Commissioner Powell, September 23.
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Pastor Sylvester Thompson retired as pastor from Messiah Missionary Baptist Church in Pontiac after 33 years of service to his congregation – presented by Commissioners Powell and Kristen Nelson (District 10), September 23.
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Game Time Meats expanded its taxidermy services into meat processing with a ribbon cutting and grand opening in Holly – presented by Commissioner Hoffman, September 28.
Below is a schedule of meetings this month. 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. Visit our website for any schedule changes and follow the Board on Facebook for the latest updates.
Tuesday, October 10
Healthy Aging Ad Hoc Committee, 8:45 a.m.
Legislative Affairs & Government Operations, 9:30 a.m.
Public Health & Safety, 11:00 a.m.
Wednesday, October 11
Economic Development & Infrastructure, 9:30 a.m.
Study Road Commission Operations, 10:30 a.m.
Finance, 11:00 a.m.
Monday, October 16
Oakland County Transit Ad Hoc, 11:00 a.m.
Tuesday, October 17
Majority Caucus, 5:00 p.m.
Full Board, 6:00 p.m.
Thursday, October 19
Art Institute Authority, 9:00 a.m.
Tuesday, October 24
Legislative Affairs & Government Operations, 9:30 a.m.
Public Health & Safety, 11:00 a.m.
Wednesday, October 25
Coordinating Zoning, 8:30 a.m.
Economic Development & Infrastructure, 9:30 a.m.
Finance, 11:00 a.m.
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The Board unanimously approved the triennial budget for fiscal years 2024-2026 on September 21. The $1.08 billion budget for fiscal year 2024 includes $539.8 million for the general fund and is the culmination of meetings with 22 county departments during 6 days of Finance Committee hearings. |
There’s a lot happening in Oakland County! Check out the latest news and upcoming events:
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