Residents, commissioners press county for action after road commission investigation finds policy violations

Public comment and committee members focused on an investigative report that found a road commissioner violated workplace conduct policies after an altercation with a Road Commission of Oakland County employee.

At a Liaison Committee meeting, resident Walter Mercino said he was threatened at a work site and urged the county to remove the commissioner involved. "I've never heard anything from this board of where they what their pursuit is as far as what they're gonna do with mister Psaki," Mercino said during public comment, calling for removal and saying he will continue to press the issue.

The problem drew a public follow-up from Oakland County Commissioner Kristen Nelson (District 10), who said she had read the investigation and that it concluded the road commissioner engaged in conduct constituting "threats of violence, intimidation, and harassment" toward a road commission employee for an incident dated June 20, 2025. Nelson said the report also made clear that the Road Commission itself does not have authority to discipline a road commissioner and that authority "rests solely with the Oakland County Board of Commissioners." She noted the commissioner's apology letter was submitted months after the event and after the report was completed.

Members of the Liaison Committee discussed next steps and asked for legal clarification about removal authority under state law. One commissioner read aloud language from MCL 224.6, subsection 4, which requires a county road commissioner not be removed "without being given written notice of the charges... and an opportunity to appear before the board of commissioners for a hearing on the charges." Committee members asked corporate (court) counsel for an opinion about whether the investigation's findings constitute the sort of "charges" that would trigger a hearing under that statute.

The Liaison Committee voted 7-0 to receive and file the communication described on the agenda as a "road commission for Oakland County letter" regarding the commissioner. Commissioners who spoke during the item urged a legal opinion and for the report to be brought to the committee or to the appropriate committee for further review and possible recommendation to the full board.

Background and context: multiple public commenters told the committee they and other Road Commission employees feel unsafe, and at least one resident said others were reluctant to come forward because of fear of retaliation. Committee members noted the investigation concluded the Road Commission's workplace policies apply to all commissioners but that the Road Commission cannot itself remove or discipline a commissioner; the Liaison Committee and corporate counsel must determine next steps under county and state law.

The committee did not vote to remove or to initiate formal disciplinary charges at the meeting; members requested a written legal opinion and discussion in the appropriate committee before any removal or formal action would be taken.