 Serving all of Oakland County's 19 districts
FEBRUARY 2024
Quick links to this issue's stories:
The new year has officially begun for the Board of Commissioners! The Board held its first meeting of the year on January 18, 2024.
Several appointments and elections were announced to start the year. Commissioner Marcia Gershenson (District 11) was reelected as vice chair of the Board, having held that position since 2019. Commissioner Angela Powell (District 9) was appointed as the majority caucus chair, filling the vacancy left by former Commissioner Janet Jackson. The Legislative Affairs and Government Committee vice chair position will be filled by recently appointed Commissioner Ann Erickson Gault (District 3).
Additionally, 2024 marks the second half of the current two-year Board term. Due to a recent Michigan state law revision regarding term lengths, which can be found at https://bit.ly/MIGovTerms2024, commission terms will change to four years beginning in January 2025. Elections for county commissioners will now coincide with presidential general election years.
For more information, and to view the Board calendar for the year, visit https://bit.ly/BOCHome24.
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Applications for the Oakland SAVES home energy efficiency program are now closed. The response from residents was phenomenal, with Tier 1 and Tier 2 grant funds fully committed to more than 1,070 households in less than a week!
The Board allocated $5 million of American Rescue Plan Act funds to launch the Oakland SAVES (Simple Actions for Valuable Energy Savings) program in partnership with Michigan Saves. Grant incentives were distributed in two tiers. The first tier provided up to $5,000 in grant incentives to income-qualified homeowners for energy improvements in their home. The second tier was made available to all homeowners who did not qualify for the first tier, and they could receive 20 percent of the eligible project cost, with a maximum of $3,000.
For additional opportunities to make energy efficient updates to your home, consider the alternatives below:
- Low-interest loans through our grant partner Michigan Saves: michigansaves.org/residential-homes.
- Interest-free loans through the Oakland County, Michigan Government Neighborhood and Housing Development Home Improvement Program: bit.ly/oakgovhip.
- The Weatherization Assistance Program for low-income households at Oakland Livingston Human Service Agency (OLHSA): www.olhsa.org/WAP.
- Free energy products and services for limited-income households through DTE Energy: bit.ly/3ublpi0.
- Free energy-saving upgrades through Consumers Energy’s Helping Neighbors Program: bit.ly/48P26Ka.
Oakland County is divided into 19 districts, each represented by a different commissioner. The Board of Commissioners social media pages have begun taking a deeper dive into each of these communities through district spotlight videos. Check out the links below for the districts that have already been featured:
Follow us on Facebook and LinkedIn, and stay tuned for more videos in the coming weeks.
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 recognitions from last month.
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Three years after launching their e-commerce site and pop-up sales for women’s apparel, mother, Christi, and daughter, Lily, Marshall opened the doors to their physical storefront of Clothed Boutique in Clarkston – presented by Commissioner Karen Joliat (District 8), Jan. 17.
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Oakland County Pioneer and Historical Society, established in 1874 and the state’s oldest continuously operating nonprofit historical society, celebrated its sesquicentennial – presented by Commissioner Gwen Markham (District 15) with unanimous support, Jan. 18.
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The life, legacy and service of Commissioner Gary R. McGillivray, who had represented the residents of District 3 since 2008 until his death in October 2023, was honored – presented by Chair David T. Woodward (District 1) with unanimous support, Jan. 18.
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Michigan’s first Costco Business Center had its grand opening in Southfield – presented by Commissioner Linnie Taylor (District 18), Jan. 25.
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Full-service florist Flowers of the Lakes opened in a new location in Highland Township and hosted a ribbon cutting – presented by Commissioners Bob Hoffman (District 7) and Philip J. Weipert (District 13), Jan. 25.
- Pottery painters of all ages can select from a variety of bisqueware and work on their custom projects at Gnome Daddy Ceramics, which opened its doors in Holly – presented by Commissioner Hoffman, Jan. 25.
- Recipients of the 2024 Holly Area Chamber of Commerce Awards were recognized, including Dryer Funeral Home – Business of the Year; Bryon and Norma Glock – Family of the Year; Angie Broegman-Stinde – Person of the Year; and Holly Dickens Festival – Organization of the Year – presented by Commissioner Hoffman, Jan. 27.
- Michigan-based, fast casual chicken wing franchise Wing Snob, with more than 38 locations in the U.S. and Canada, opened in Clarkston – presented by Commissioner Joliat, Jan. 31.
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The work of the Oakland County Underground Railroad Public History Project and the five initial communities that are uncovering the important historical stories of freedom seekers and abolitionists were celebrated – presented by Commissioners Penny Luebs, (District 2), Yolanda Smith Charles (District 17), Kristen Nelson (District 10), Markham and Taylor, Jan. 31.
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 and LinkedIn for the latest updates.
Wednesday, Feb. 7
Majority Caucus, 5:00 p.m.
Full Board, 6:00 p.m.
Tuesday, Feb. 20
Legislative Affairs and Government Operations Committee, 9:00 a.m.
Public Health and Safety Committee, 10:30 a.m.
Wednesday, Feb. 21
Coordinating Zoning Committee, 8:30 a.m.
Economic Development and Infrastructure Committee, 9:30 a.m.
Finance Committee, 11:00 a.m.
Monday, Feb. 26
Transit Ad Hoc Committee, 11:00 a.m.
Thursday, Feb. 29
Majority Caucus, 5:00 p.m.
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Since its establishment nine years ago by the Board in 2015, the Oakland County Human Trafficking Task Force (OCHTTF) has been working to break the chains of this public health threat. The group serves as a leading resource in the county for the prevention of human trafficking and in the protection and rehabilitation of survivors through education advocacy and collaboration. Find more information at the OCHTTF’s website.
There’s a lot happening in Oakland County! Check out the latest news and upcoming events:
- Nearly 90 Oakland County employers will share more than $4.1 million in Going PRO Talent Fund training grants, awarded during the first cycle of fiscal year 2024 by the Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity. Read more about the grants and the local companies that received them at bit.ly/OCGoingPRO.
- The Oakland County Water Resources Commissioner’s Office is accepting applications for RainSmart Rebates, the county’s first residential green stormwater infrastructure program. It will award up to $2,000 to homeowners in the George W. Kuhn Drain Drainage District for implementing sustainable stormwater practices such as tree planting, rain barrel installation or creating a rain garden. Learn more at www.oakgov.com/rainsmart.
- Get cooking with edibleWOW demonstrations at the Oakland County Farmers Market! The series features local chefs sharing delicious and healthy recipes, as well as handy tips and tricks that home cooks can use when preparing meals for family and friends. No pre-registration is necessary to attend, and a full schedule of events is available at www.OaklandCountyParks.com.
Was this message forwarded to you? Be sure to sign up for The Board Bulletin by visiting your commissioner's webpage at oakgov.com/boc and clicking the "Newsletter Sign-up" button. You can also follow the Board on Facebook and LinkedIn for all the latest updates.
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