Oakland County board adopts permanent rules after rejecting changes on counsel access and recording

The Oakland County Board of Commissioners on Jan. 13, 2025, adopted a set of permanent rules for the board after rejecting multiple proposed amendments that sought to expand access to corporation counsel opinions and to require video recording for more meetings.

The main motion to adopt the permanent rules was moved by Commissioner Brendan Johnson and seconded by Commissioner Charlie Cavell; the board approved the rules by a vote of 11 yays to 7 nays. Supporters said the rules provide a stable framework for board operations; opponents argued some amendments were needed to increase transparency.

The debate centered on several amendments introduced from the floor. Commissioner Michael Spitz (identified in debate as “Spitz”/“Spiz”) moved an amendment to change items 3b and 3c to allow the minority caucus to seek legal opinions through the minority caucus chair and to require that both majority and minority caucus chairs…