Oakland County approves sheriff grants and accepts $100,000 search‑and‑rescue donation after debate over private funding and drone policy

The Oakland County Board of Commissioners approved three items from the sheriff’s office at its meeting: an interlocal agreement tied to a $320,755 behavioral threat assessment grant, a $65,429.69 Traffic Improvement Association overtime grant for traffic‑safety enforcement, and a proposed $100,000 donation from the Detroit Athletic Club Foundation for search‑and‑rescue equipment.

Commissioner Joliet moved the package with support from Commissioner Nelson. The first two items were approved by the board with an announced tally of “8 yays, 0 nays.” The donation item also passed, with the clerk announcing the motion carried after commissioners voted; the board recorded seven yea votes and one no vote on the donation item.

Sheriff’s office presenters described the items and introduced multiple staff members. The sheriff’s office said the interlocal agreement with Oakland County Health Network creates positions in the sheriff’s office and emergency management and provides $320,755 in new program funding. “It’s a new program grant funding of $320,755. It’s an interlocal agreement with OCHN,” said a sheriff’s office representative. The Traffic Improvement Association grant covers overtime patrols for distracted‑driving, OWI and speed enforcement; the sheriff’s office announced a total of $65,429.69 for that award.

The donation from the Detroit Athletic Club Foundation would fund search‑and‑rescue equipment. Captain Wilson, who oversees patrol services, and Lieutenant Burwell, who oversees search and rescue, explained the Detroit Athletic Club Foundation proposed to donate equipment and would acquire and transfer the items to the sheriff’s office if the board approves. “They’re proposing to donate this list of equipment to the search and rescue team,” Captain Wilson said.

Commissioners spent significant time debating whether accepting private donations to the sheriff’s office is appropriate. One commissioner raised questions about transparency and procurement, asking why equipment could not be bought through the sheriff’s existing $210 million budget and whether third‑party donations bypass competitive processes and diversity, equity and inclusion considerations. That commissioner said, in part: “It just feels like... this is so led by not transparent means.” Later that speaker said, “I’m voting no.” (Commissioner recorded vote: no on the donation item.)

Supporters of the donation argued the county’s search‑and‑rescue operations serve many jurisdictions and face equipment needs that are not otherwise funded in the sheriff’s constrained operating budget. A sheriff’s office representative said the county coordinates the Southeast Michigan dive consortium and handles administration for dozens of agencies and hundreds of personnel, and cited recent operational statistics: “We’re coming off a record year with water rescues and drownings. We’ve had 16 drownings in our county, 12 of which were at lakes. I think we had 114 callouts just for our search and rescue team and our southeast dive teams at 262 activations.”

Commissioners also questioned the county’s drone policy. Multiple commissioners said the county lacks a fully developed, legally vetted drone policy that covers countywide use beyond the sheriff’s office. “We do have a drone policy... but from talking with people legally about it, it does not stand up to muster and could put us at legal liability,” a commissioner said. Several commissioners asked that the board examine maintenance and long‑term costs for donated equipment before accepting gifts in the future.

The board approved the three items, and commissioners asked staff to follow up on policy and cost‑of‑ownership implications for donated equipment and drone operations. The sheriff’s office also acknowledged the recent resignation of Undersheriff Childs, thanked him for his service and said staff are filling interim responsibilities while a replacement is named.