 Serving all of Oakland County's 19 districts
AUGUST 2024
Quick links to this issue's stories:
Chair David T. Woodward (District 1, left) and Commissioner Brendan Johnson (District 4) celebrate the launch of Oakland County’s new student debt relief program.
At its July 18 meeting, the Board adopted a resolution to establish the Oakland County Student Debt Relief Initiative. This resolution allocated up to $500,000 for the program’s innovative partnership with Savi to lower student loan payments and facilitate loan forgiveness for Oakland County residents and employees.
This historic partnership will ensure that county residents and employees have access to Savi’s services at no cost for one year. Savi’s DIY membership level, which is always free, allows users to enroll on their own by completing, printing, and mailing or faxing their paperwork, with access to their Savi account at any time. The Essential membership, which costs approximately $70 per year but will be available to Oakland County residents and employees at no charge, handles all the paperwork automatically, provides ongoing monitoring, and access to Savi support.
These services are intended to alleviate the financial burden on Oakland County’s 172,000 residents carrying a collective $6 billion in student debt. Savi has already benefited more than 500 employers, helping borrowers save an average of $117 per month, or $1,400 annually.
A public dashboard will be developed and made accessible on the county’s website, showcasing the benefits and impact of the Oakland County Student Debt Relief Initiative.
To learn more and sign up to receive email notifications about the program, visit OakGov.com/Savi.
At the July 18 Board meeting, Oakland County Executive Dave Coulter presented the proposed triennial budget for fiscal years 2025-2027 to commissioners. The recommended budget maintains healthy reserves and lays the groundwork to continue delivering excellent services to Oakland County residents while addressing known challenges. It includes significant investments in projects that will help the county attract and retain both the businesses that want to locate and expand here, as well as the skilled workers who will be needed to fill the high-paying jobs these companies will bring to our communities.
The proposed budget aims to make a measurable impact in the areas of economic well-being, public health and safety while maintaining the coveted AAA bond rating. The total proposed budget is $1.08 billion for FY 2025, $1.11 billion for FY 2026 and $1.13 billion for FY 2027. During August, the Board’s Finance Committee will review the proposal through a series of budget hearings with county department leaders. The Board retains the authority to modify and adjust the proposed budget. Learn more about the budget hearing process and which commissioners serve on the Finance Committee in this video. A calendar of the upcoming budget hearings can be found in the On the Agenda section of this newsletter and the recommended budget as presented last month is available at bit.ly/OCBudget25.
A gun buyback and destruction event is planned from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Nativity Episcopal Church in Bloomfield Township for Saturday, August 3. It is the latest in a series of such events at which unwanted firearms are destroyed and transformed into works of art. Appropriations from the Safer Communities Fund and the General Fund Special Projects approved by the Board support this event and its goal of reducing gun violence in the community by providing a safe and legal option for residents who wish to dispose of unwanted weapons.
Additional future events in Oakland County are planned for September 28 in Pontiac and October 5 in Waterford Township. More information is included in the Board’s news release.
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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First Sergeant David H. Wandoff, Royal Oak Veterans Committee Chair, retired after 22 years of service in the Army Reserve and a tour in Iraq from 2003-2004 – presented by Board Chair David T. Woodward (District 1), July 3.
- The Board thanked outgoing Communications and Marketing Officer Sarah Moreau for the many contributions and transformational change she delivered to commissioners and staff during her tenure – presented by Chair Woodward with unanimous support, July 9.
- Southfield’s Empowerment Church celebrated its ten-year anniversary – presented by Commissioner Linnie Taylor (District 18), July 14.
- Cornerstone of the Union Joints family restaurant group since 1995, Clarkston Union celebrated 29 years of its signature mac and cheese dish – presented by Commissioner Karen Joliat (District 8), July 14.
- Family owned and operated since 1946, Blessing Company expanded with a new office opening in Clarkston offering repair and replacement services for residential plumbing, heating and cooling, electrical, water treatment, indoor air quality systems and home generator installation and maintenance – presented by Commissioner Joliat, July 17.
- The life, bravery and sacrifice of Oakland County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Bradley J. Reckling, who was tragically killed in the line of duty, was honored – presented by Vice Chair Marcia Gershenson (District 11) with unanimous support, July 18.
- Local franchise of the international real estate brand, Keller Williams Premier opened its doors at a new location in Clarkston – presented by Commissioner Joliat, July 24.
- A newly built pavilion constructed through partnership with Friends of Proud Lake, local Boy Scouts and their parents and the Michigan Department of Natural Resources, opened to the public by Heavner Canoe in Milford – presented by Commissioners Bob Hoffman (District 7) and Philip J. Weipert (District 13), July 26.
- Medical spa Revelation Wellness hosted a ribbon cutting for its practice in Highland Township – presented by Commissioners Hoffman and Weipert, July 30.
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.
Thursday, August 1
Transit Ad Hoc, 4 p.m.
Economic Development and Infrastructure, 4:30 p.m.
Majority Caucus, 5 p.m.
Board Meeting, 6 p.m.
Tuesday, August 13
Finance (budget hearings), 1 p.m.
Wednesday, August 14
Finance (budget hearings), 1 p.m.
Thursday, August 15
Finance (budget hearings), 1 p.m.
Friday, August 16
Human Trafficking Task Force, 10 a.m.
Tuesday, August 20
Legislative Affairs and Government Operations, 9 a.m.
Public Health and Safety, 10:30 a.m.
Finance (budget hearings), 1 p.m.
Wednesday, August 21
Economic Development and Infrastructure, 9:30 a.m.
Finance (includes budget hearings), 11 a.m.
Thursday, August 22
Finance (budget hearings), 1 p.m.
Monday, August 26
Transit Ad Hoc, 11 a.m.
Tuesday, August 27
Materials Management Planning, 9 a.m.
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The Board’s Finance Committee begins hearings on the proposed triennial county budget this month. The approach to balancing the $1.08 billion budget for fiscal year 2025 is guided by eight strategic goals: Thriving & Inclusive Economy; Healthy Residents; Skilled & Educated Workforce; Diversity, Equity & Inclusion; Livable Neighborhoods; Environmental Sustainability; Public Safety & Fairness in the Criminal Justice System; and Organizational Excellence.
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There’s a lot happening in Oakland County! Check out the latest news and upcoming events:
- The Oakland County International Airport’s annual open house and air show has been renamed as the Festival of Flight. The event will take place on Sunday, August 11 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., with the air show scheduled from 1:30-3 p.m. Admission and parking for the festival are free for all attendees. Learn more at OakGov.com.
- Bring your children to Early Childhood Hour Out at Independence Oaks County Park. Babies, toddlers and young children can participate in caregiver-led activities at the nature center from 10:30-11:30 a.m. on Thursdays. For more information, visit 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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