Oakland County commissioners approve $25 million transfer to Pontiac redevelopment fund amid heated debate

Oakland County commissioners voted 10-7 to appropriate $25 million from the county's strategic reserve to the Pontiac redevelopment fund, advancing a plan to consolidate county offices in downtown Pontiac and to pursue long-term bond financing for the project.

The appropriation (agenda item 15a) was moved by Commissioner Yolanda Smith Charles and seconded by Commissioner Lenny Taylor. Commissioners adopted an amendment from Commissioner Powell aimed at codifying efforts to ensure local, minority-, veteran- and women-owned subcontractor participation; that amendment passed 13-4. Several other amendments proposed by Commissioner Cavell seeking to redirect funds toward health, housing and infrastructure investments in Pontiac were ruled not germane and were not adopted.

Supporters said the appropriation is a down payment to secure the redevelopment project and to move forward with planned bonding. Commissioner Nelson, who voted against the measure, described the financing plan as risky and compared the fiscal mechanism to a household "payday loan,"…