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Oakland County proposes 83-acre Heritage Oaks partnership with Farmington Hills; $4 million payment included
Summary
County and Farmington Hills presented an interlocal agreement that would transfer operation of about 83 acres within Heritage Park to Oakland County Parks, including the Farmington Hills Nature Center and Spicer House, in exchange for a $4 million payment for depreciated assets and a six-month transition.
Oakland County staff presented an interlocal partnership with the city of Farmington Hills to operate an approximately 83-acre portion of Heritage Park as “Heritage Oaks” under county management, and asked the board to recommend the agreement to the full board.
Staff said the county will make a $4,000,000 payment to the city to recognize the depreciated value of assets within the boundary area that would transfer to county management. The area identified for transfer includes the Farmington Hills Nature Center, the Spicer House, an archery range and primarily natural acreage and trail networks; staff said Heritage Park totals roughly 211 acres and that the transferred area complements the county park system.
The interlocal agreement includes a six-month transition period during which the county and city will work out operational details, such as which staff will provide on-site services versus county payrolled positions and potential reimbursement arrangements if city staff remain onsite. Staff estimated annual operating costs in the range of $500,000 to $1,200,000, comparable to similarly equipped county parks.
Farmington Hills representatives said the partnership will expand the county’s presence in southern Oakland County, increase marketing reach for Heritage Park and support capital improvements and operations. Staff also noted one inholding parcel with an occupied home was declined for county purchase in a prior opportunity and is not part of the transfer.
Commissioners asked about operating costs, the six-month transition and the inholding parcel; staff answered that millage revenues will cover operations and that the agreement includes a callback provision requiring reimbursement for depreciated county investments if the agreement ends.
The board moved the item to recommend to the full board; the transcript did not provide a recorded roll-call tally for the motion.
