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County commissioner and state representative outline road funding, public‑safety grants and local appropriations for Waterford
Summary
County Commissioner Karen Joliet and State Rep. Mike Harris briefed trustees on pending state measures that could bring road and public‑safety dollars to Waterford and urged public involvement on a road commission site decision.
County Commissioner Karen Joliet and State Representative Mike Harris appeared before the Waterford Township Board of Trustees on April 28 to update trustees on road funding proposals, a state public‑safety fund and local appropriations requests.
Rep. Mike Harris described several pending measures in the state legislature, including bipartisan House bills (4260 and 4261) tied to a proposed Public Safety and Violence Prevention Fund that would dedicate $15 million from sales tax revenue for law‑enforcement support statewide; he estimated Waterford’s share at roughly $261,000 if the measure passes. Harris also described a plan discussed in the House to add approximately $3.1 billion for roads, including funding that would bypass Public Act 51 restrictions so more money could reach local residential streets.
“Out of that $72 million we believe about $261,000 will make its way here to Waterford to expand law enforcement,” Rep. Mike Harris said, adding that some portions of the bills are still in the Senate and that the board should contact state senators with questions.
Joliet updated trustees about the Oakland County Road Commission’s new building project and said the commission paused construction to evaluate alternate locations, a decision she described as a three‑month pause that she traced to requests from county leadership. Joliet urged residents concerned about the pause or the commission’s direction to attend the Road Commission meeting on May 14 and to register for public comment in advance.
Joliet and Harris also discussed appropriations work to secure funds for a proposed Waterford fire station; Harris said township requests have been filed with appropriations offices and that his office is coordinating with county and state partners. Trustees said the township’s grant writer is also seeking external grants to avoid asking taxpayers to fund the project.
The officials encouraged the board and residents to monitor the bills’ progress in the legislature and to submit constituent feedback to their offices; Rep. Harris provided his contact information for businesses and residents with compliance or implementation questions about recently enacted laws that affect local employers.
