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Pontiac approves three‑year sheriff services contract amid county rate hike; 6–1 vote
Summary
Facing a county decision to end a longstanding subsidy, council approved a three‑year contract for sheriff services (2025–2027) after hearing that there is no plausible alternate policing provider; the vote passed 6–1, with one member opposed.
Pontiac City Council approved a three‑year renewal of the contract with the Oakland County Sheriff’s Department on Dec. 17, voting 6–1 after members said the city lacked a practicable alternative for policing services.
Mayor Grama and staff explained that the county commission recently moved to discontinue a longstanding subsidy—an action that increased contract costs sharply for partner communities. Administration said the county approved the final contract form only in the prior week, leaving little time for local review.
The contract would provide roughly 109 deputies and support staff under the county model; Mayor Grama said roughly $9.7 million of previously‑allocated ARPA/general funds had been earmarked to offset sheriff costs. Councilman Rutherford and others said they had pushed county commissioners for a more phased approach to any subsidy reduction but that the county vote was final. “There is not a plausible backup plan,” Mayor Grama told council, noting no neighboring agency could readily take over full city policing.
Councilman Goodman cast the lone no vote, citing concerns about the abrupt fiscal impact. Council members said they would continue to press county representatives and state legislators for support and explored other state funding options, including a proposed Public Safety Trust Fund that could deliver recurring state aid if enacted.
The resolution passed, and the mayor’s office was asked to notify council when the contract is executed and to pursue county conversations about mitigation.
