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Dear Oakland County Community Members,
I hope this newsletter finds you well. Before I share this month's updates, our community has faced profound tragedy and loss. We extend our heartfelt condolences to the families, friends, and colleagues of Oakland County Sheriff’s Deputy Bradley J. Reckling, a dedicated 9-year veteran of the department, and the victims of the Rochester Hills Splash Pad shooting. Our hearts go out to everyone affected by these devastating events.
We must continue to support those impacted by gun violence and remain steadfast in our efforts to prevent further senseless acts. Our community’s resilience and support of our fellow residents, business owners, communities and neighborhoods are the foundation of our collective strength.
In this month’s newsletter, I share information on several key initiatives and updates from across Oakland County, including our property tax foreclosure prevention efforts, the sales proceeds claim deadline, the upcoming property land sale auction, the 2024 Financial Empowerment Arts Contest winners, free transportation for Oakland County veterans, and more.
Thank you for staying connected with us. Together, we can continue to build a stronger and more vibrant Oakland County.
See you around the county,
 Robert Wittenberg
Oakland County Treasurer
Community First: Property Tax Foreclosure Prevention Efforts
The Oakland County Treasurer's Office remains unwavering in our efforts to prevent property tax foreclosures and assist residential and commercial property owners in Oakland County keep their properties. Here are a few recent highlights of our efforts:
Additionally, our annual multimedia campaign, which included broadcast television and radio, digital, mobile, streaming and social media channels, produced 2.4 million impressions and increased website traffic, phone calls, office visits and more.
Notice of Intention to Claim Interest in Foreclosure Sales Proceeds
Residential or commercial property owners with a title or equity interest at the time of foreclosure on April 1, 2024, can file a claim to receive excess sales proceeds linked to the property.
As stated in MCL 211.78t, claimants must follow the established process to be eligible to receive surplus claim proceeds, provided a surplus is available. On June 1, 2024, the Oakland County Treasurer's Office sent notices to the 2024 foreclosed property owners, providing them with the necessary form and instructions for submission.
To claim excess sale proceeds, the individual must fill out and submit a notarized Form 5743 Notice of Intention to Claim Interest in Foreclosure Sales Proceeds. The Oakland County Treasurer's Office must receive the completed form by July 1, 2024. The Oakland County Treasurer’s Office provides free in-person notary services.
For more information on the claims process or to obtain the form, visit oakgov.com/treasurer.
2024 Oakland County Virtual Foreclosed Property Auction
The 2024 Oakland County Virtual Foreclosed Property Auction will be held on Thursday, August 16, 2024, from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. on
tax-sale.info.
The available properties will be listed in the coming weeks. Visit the website for more information on the auction process or to register.
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Free Transportation for Oakland County Veterans
Between June 1, 2024 and August 31, 2024, veterans residing in Oakland County can receive rides to any location within our county. The rides are available Monday through Friday from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m., with weekend transportation varied by provider.
If you or someone you know is a veteran living in Oakland County, contact SMART to schedule your trip at (248) 419-7984 or visit oakgov.com/veterans for more information.
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Financial Empowerment Arts Contest Winners
Photo Caption: 12th-grade first-place winning artwork “The Fine Line of Finance” by Jessica Wong, Troy Athens High School
Last month, Oakland County Treasurer Robert Wittenberg—in partnership with Oakland Schools, Flagstar Bank and the Oakland Livingston Human Service Agency—announced the 22 winners and honorable mentions for the 2024 Financial Empowerment Arts Contest during a private reception at the Flagstar Bank Regional Headquarters in Troy, Mich.
Oakland County public high school students were invited to participate in the arts contest. Nearly 150 entries were received, and they were judged on creativity, artistic execution and incorporation of the financial empowerment theme.
The winners and honorable mentions received cash prizes from a $10,000 contest fund from Flagstar Bank. The cash prizes were $1,000 (first place), $750 (second place), $500 (third place) and $100 (honorable mention).
The winning art and all student entries are displayed in the Oakland County Treasurer’s Office for a year and on the website. To view the winners, honorable mentions and submissions, visit the Oakland County Treasurer’s Office website at oakgov.com/treasurer.
Around the County
Celebrating Juneteenth and Pride Month
 Image Caption: From left to right: 1) Oakland County Treasurer Robert Wittenberg speaking at the Oak Park Juneteenth celebration with other community leaders; 2) Treasurer Wittenberg with team members John Johnson and Chief Deputy Treasurer Jody Weissler DeFoe at the Oakland County Juneteenth Celebration; and 3) Treasurer Wittenberg with State Rep. Natalie Price, Darlene Rothman, Berkley Area Chamber Executive Director, and Mitch Brown.
This month, we celebrate Juneteenth and Pride Month. Juneteenth, also known as Freedom Day or Emancipation Day, is an important day in American history. It commemorates the emancipation of the last remaining enslaved people in Texas on June 19, 1865.
Pride Month is a time to celebrate and honor the LGBTQ+ community, promoting visibility and acceptance for all individuals regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity. It's a time to embrace diversity, advocate for equality, and celebrate love in all its forms.
Juneteenth and Pride Month are important opportunities for reflection, education, and celebration and serve as reminders of the continued work required for equality and a more just society for all.
Did You Know?
Oakland County has four sites that are part of the National Parks Service’s “Network to Freedom,” which features fully documented historic locations connected to the Underground Railroad:
- Abolitionist Elijah S. Fish and freedom-seeker George B. Taylor’s burial sites at Greenwood Cemetery in Birmingham
- Abolitionist Nathan Power’s burial site at the Quaker Cemetery in Farmington
- Freedom-seekers Henry and Elizabeth Hamer’s final resting place in Royal Oak Cemetery
- Southfield Reformed Presbyterian Church, which was committed to the anti-slavery cause, abolitionism, and aiding formerly enslaved persons on their journey to Canada
Have an upcoming event that you want me to attend? Please email Zinnia Kallabat at kallabatz@oakgov.com.
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