 Serving all of Oakland County's 19 districts
SEPTEMBER 2024
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The eight-member Finance Committee, chaired by Commissioner Gwen Markham (District 15), discusses budget items with the Oakland County Prosecutor and staff.
Throughout August, the Board’s Finance Committee held a series of budget hearings to review the County Executive’s proposed triennial budget for the fiscal years of 2025-2027. During these hearings, commissioners met with leaders and staff from 24 county departments to understand their goals and needs. Some of the department highlights from the budget hearings included:
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Public Services (Animal Shelter, Children’s Village, Community Corrections and Medical Examiner’s Office): Rebalancing of part-time and full-time positions; technology upgrades.
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Health and Human Services: Funding for Community Health Worker positions and enhanced training for employees and county partners.
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Parks and Recreation: Prioritizing of deferred maintenance projects.
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Treasurer’s Office: Continuing efforts of the Oakland County Land Bank Authority to revitalize communities and promote economic growth.
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Board of Commissioners: Planning for technology and capital expenses for office transition to downtown Pontiac.
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Information Technology: Upgrading county devices to help ensure security and reliability of services, modernizing internal support and establishing a Courts Law Enforcement Management Information System (CLEMIS) authority by 2025.
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Emergency Management: Increasing staffing to ensure adequate response coverage.
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Water Resources Commissioner’s Office: Repairing infrastructure; evaluating current facilities and potential building consolidations for efficiency.
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Human Resources: Expanding features of HR self-service software to drive efficiency; salary adjustments based on competitive markets.
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County Executive’s Office, DEI and Sustainability: Partnering with cities, villages and townships to provide DEI training to communities and continuing efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
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Public Communications: Increasing accessibility and language options across sites and services.
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Economic Development: Prioritizing advanced manufacturing like Project DIAMOnD and workforce education through the Oakland80 program.
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Management and Budget: Focusing on transparency, improving interdepartmental service and expanding community outreach.
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Facilities Management: Creating a capital planning and design department for strategic capital projects.
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Prosecutor’s Office: Requesting additional staffing and technology to support evidence review.
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Indigent Defense Services: Leveraging grants and local funds for appropriate staffing for the department’s caseload.
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Corporation Counsel and Risk Management: Utilizing new technology and existing relationships to enhance efficiency.
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Sheriff’s Office: Requesting additional funding for overtime costs, equipment and future capital needs.
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Probate Court: Adjusting budget to meet the needs of the county’s aging population and increased demand for mental health services.
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Circuit Court: Updating technology and reclassifying positions to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of court services.
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52nd District Court: Maintaining software and technology to allow for video capabilities in the court.
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Clerk/Register of Deeds: Enhancing the e-filing and case management systems.
The Finance Committee will propose amendments to the budget before the September 19 meeting where the full Board will vote to approve the budget. Recordings of the livestreamed budget hearings are available on the Board’s YouTube channel at bit.ly/YouTubeBOC.
As the official launch of a first-of-its-kind student debt assistance program draws closer, residents can sign up now to receive news and updates about the county’s historic partnership with Savi, a social impact technology startup. The Board voted to establish the Oakland County Student Debt Relief Initiative at its July 18 meeting with the aim of providing guidance on loan repayment and loan forgiveness programs.
The Savi portal automatically creates digital forms and tailors recommendations for debt consolidation by scanning more than 150 federal, state and private eligibility programs. Savi users save on average $117 month, or $1,400 a year. The county is not relieving student debt. Rather, the Board of Commissioners allocated $500K to waive the Savi portal registration fee for any Oakland County resident or county employee who signs up for debt help before the enrollment deadline.
For more information, visit https://bit.ly/OCStudentDebt24.
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.
- Upon her retirement, multi-Emmy-winning career broadcast journalist and entrepreneur Paula Tutman was honored for 32 years of delivering the news for WDIV Detroit – presented by Commissioner Yolanda Smith Charles (District 18), August 1.
- A family owned and operated institution in northern Oakland County since 1933, Cook’s Farm Dairy held a grand opening of its new ice cream shop in Ortonville – presented by Commissioners Bob Hoffman (District 7) and Karen Joliat (District 8), August 2.
- Fifth-generation owners of Kerton Lumber celebrated 75 years of family and business in Holly – presented by Commissioner Hoffman, August 16.
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Holly High School Construction Trades Center opened a state-of-the-art 6,500 square foot facility geared toward vocational and skilled trade education and the ribbon was cut on a new track and athletic turf field at Holly Stadium – presented by Commissioner Hoffman, August 22.
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, Sept. 5
Economic Development and Infrastructure, 4:30 p.m.
Majority Caucus, 5 p.m.
Board Meeting, 6 p.m.
Tuesday, Sept. 10
Legislative Affairs and Government Operations, 9 a.m.
Public Health and Safety, 10:30 a.m.
Wednesday, Sept. 11
Economic Development and Infrastructure, 9:30 a.m.
Finance, 11 a.m.
Tuesday, Sept. 17
Art Institute Authority, 9 a.m.
Thursday, Sept. 19
Majority Caucus, 8:30 a.m.
Board Meeting, 9:30 a.m.
Friday, Sept. 20
Human Trafficking Task Force, 10 a.m.
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More than 172,000 Oakland County residents have student loan debt, totaling about $6 BILLION. Commissioner Brendan Johnson (District 4) explains more about the unique partnership Oakland County has established with Savi, the first of its kind in the country, with the goal of helping residents and county employees navigate their debt reduction and forgiveness options in this video.
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There’s a lot happening in Oakland County! Check out the latest news and upcoming events:
- Oakland County’s Healthy Oakland Partnership is holding its last Senior Market Day on September 7. Oakland County residents 60 years and older can receive a $5 coupon to spend on products at the Farmington Farmers Market from 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. For details, visit OakGov.com/Health.
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September 22 is an Oakland County Parks Free Entry Day. Entry fees will be waived at all parks that normally charge an entry fee, allowing visitors access to a variety of trails, dog parks, playgrounds, fishing spots and beaches. For more information, visit OaklandCountyParks.com.
- The Oakland County Health Division is urging residents to protect against mosquito bites, which can lead to potentially serious diseases including West Nile Virus. Recommendations to prevent these illnesses include using EPA registered insect repellent, removing standing water around your home and limiting outdoor activity from dusk to dawn. Additional information is available at OakGov.com/Health.
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Oakland County Executive Dave Coulter has announced two key appointments to his administration. Following the retirement of chief deputy county executive Hilarie Chambers on August 29, Walt Herzig has been promoted to chief deputy county executive and Megan C. Sellers will assume Herzig’s former responsibilities, becoming the first Black woman to serve as deputy county executive. Read more about this announcement at OakGov.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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