A flag-adoption adviser discussed how civic flags can represent a whole community and praised Oakland County’s planning process. The presentation also outlined design principles, including simplicity, limited colors and avoiding lettering or seals.

Discussion Points

•The adviser described a flag’s function as signaling at a distance and explained design principles intended to make flags recognizable and memorable.
•The adviser discussed the intended role of a county flag and recurring objections to flag changes.
•The adviser praised Oakland County’s planning process.
•The adviser recommended testing designs at a small scale and avoiding unnecessary elements.

Nov

Economic Development and Infrastructure Committee Meeting 11-10-26

Oakland County Economic Development & Infrastructure Committee met Nov. 10, 2026; commissioners received a presentation adopting a 2023 greenhouse-gas baseline, approved a $4.7M final-design award for a new Water Resources building, recommended several redevelopment, grant, airport and transit contract items to the full board, and handled property and lease items.

Discussion Points

•$4.3M of eligible TIF was identified, but only $3M can be reimbursed in the 30‑year capture period.
•Agreement includes a 90‑day termination clause so the county may vacate early if renovations finish ahead of schedule.
•Amendment to extend lease to maintain operations during renovation to a new county facility.
•A public hearing was scheduled and the item was forwarded to finance.
•Commissioners pressed on safety and repair obligations and staff said they will continue to work with the landlord.
•Commissioners with parks experience supported the acquisition.
•Committee forwarded acceptance to finance (5–0).
•Consultants noted the fee was competitive (~5–7% of hard costs) and includes subconsultants.
•Contract totals presented: NODA (~$7.087M), OPC (~$2.3M), PEX (~$8.6M one‑year), WOTA (~$6.5M), SMART (~$48.2M).
•Final MDOT grant of $159,243 completes funding for hangar apron and taxi lane work at Oakland Troy Airport.
•Funding source is the drain equipment fund already set aside; contingencies for scope changes would return to the board.
•Grant amount $282,553 with allocations to marketing, printing and promo items.
•Parent agreements updated to require plan implementation, software integration and stronger nondiscrimination language.
•People's Express granted a one‑year transition to continue using their software while testing SMART integration.
•Price negotiated at $40,000 for roughly half an acre to connect the Red Oaks Nature Center complex.
•Project will create 29 affordable units and is located near walkable amenities in Pontiac.
•Staff flagged opportunities for trails, passive recreation and formalizing overflow parking.
•Staff proposed repeating inventories every three years and documenting methodological changes.
•Staff recommended replacing the 2018 baseline with 2023 data due to missing 2018 data.
•Staff requested authorization to award final design services to AKA for ~$4.7M.
•State guideline change prevents use of these funds to buy Meijer vouchers; staff will explore federal funding or other county sources to continue direct assistance.
•The 2023 inventory reports total county operational emissions of 65,278 metric tons CO2e.
•Wren Acquisitions LLC seeks a 30‑year extension and plans a private $7.5–8.5M hangar investment; staff described security controls for the Astropark parcel.

Decisions

•Committee approved forwarding combined transit contracts to full board.
•Committee authorized awarding final design services; vote recorded at 4–1.
•Committee forwarded Brownfield plan to finance and set Nov. 19, 2026 public hearing (5–0).
•Committee recommended the lease amendment to the full board.
•Committee recommended the purchase and will forward to full board.
•Committee voted to receive and file the presentation.
•Forward grant acceptance to finance; committee recorded five yeas.
•Grant acceptance approved; lease renewal recommended to full board.

Directions

•Accept grant and recommend lease renewal to full board.
•Authorize award of final design; staff to engage Riewald (construction manager) and proceed with bidding and reporting back to the board.
•Coordinate demolition and construction with airport security and staff to keep movement areas protected.
•Forward contracts to full board; staff to continue software integration and operator onboarding.
•Forward grant acceptance to finance; staff to prepare proposals for alternate funding to resume vouchers.
•Forward lease amendment to full board; staff to coordinate transition and keep safety considerations a priority.
•Forward plan to finance and set the public hearing notice to satisfy statute requirements.
•Forward purchase agreement to the full board for approval and closing.
•Receive and file the presentation; staff to continue tri‑annual inventories and document comparability issues.

Nov

Finance Committee Meeting 11-10-26

Board approved multiple routine items including grant acceptances and contract extensions; accepted a veterans affairs grant with restricted uses and heard plans to find alternate funding for food support; approved a redevelopment plan in Pontiac for 29 affordable units; voted to accept a federal adult treatment ("burn") grant despite one commissioner's concern about a federal information-sharing clause; and approved a reorganization dissolving the Department of Public Communications and creating an Office of Executive Communications.

Discussion Points

•Commissioners asked about oversight, brand standards, and employee transition supports.
•Commissioners questioned whether the clause would obligate the broader county or only program staff; counsel and staff said courts have found sharing to be voluntary in practice.
•Directory will be automated and include analytics to track searches and needs; print copies will remain available.
•DPC created in Aug. 2021; proposed decentralized model places comms staff in departments and creates an Office of Executive Communications.
•Eligible TIF activities $4.3M; anticipated capture ~$3M over 30 years; total project ~ $5M.
•Festival organizers described free programming and transit access (WOTA shuttles) that support attendance and local businesses.
•FieldWare supports pretrial reporting and court reminders; OCHN services funded by MDOC grant; HR benefits combine administration of COBRA and FSAs/HSA.
•GIS agreement clarifies four dataset categories including a 911-only restricted dataset.
•Grant award increased but eligible uses changed to exclude food vouchers and food boxes; staff plan to use marketing, mailings and promotional items.
•Grant is federal and provides substantial support for adult treatment court; contract language includes an information-sharing clause regarding immigration status (item 10).
•Holly requested $20,000; staff said sponsorships are a modest portion of festival budgets but yield broader economic benefits.
•No substantive changes to terms; five-year term continues through 2028.
•Plan eliminates current DPC positions (22 FTE + 2 PT) and creates 16 departmental positions; employees must apply competitively.
•Project: 29 affordable units (7 one-bed, 22 two-bed), 0.78 acres, near Webster Community Center.
•Quarterly transfers reallocating ~$1.97M to user departments and about $1M to special revenue/proprietary departments.
•Three contracts are exceptions to five-year limit and require one-year extensions to allow RFPs to proceed.
•Two packet copies included draft comments that needed removal; section-six cross-reference required correction.
•Veteran events draw 400–500 attendees; loss of food benefit could reduce participation and service connections.

Decisions

•Board accepted the grant and directed staff to prepare a proposal to restore food support.
•Board approved combined sponsorships.
•Board approved dissolution and reorganization by a 5–2 vote.
•Board approved grant 6–1; dissent requested counsel opinion.
•Board approved grouped IT items including funding for the automated directory.
•Board approved one-year extensions and urged competitive solicitation.
•Board approved the corrected interlocal agreement.
•Board approved the redevelopment plan.

Directions

•Administration to post positions and HR to assist employees through the transition; monitor for gaps to determine if additional positions are needed.
•Clerical edits will be finalized and the corrected agreement recorded.
•Ensure data sensitivity rules are observed under the revised GIS agreement.
•Proceed with approvals and monitor developer timeline for Q4 2027 completion.
•Proceed with grant acceptance pending follow-up reporting.
•Proceed with procurement for directory; begin implementation and analytics tracking.
•Proceed with RFPs and return with award recommendations.
•Staff to confirm grant terms and whether administrative vs statutory change can be appealed.
•Staff to draft a county-funded proposal to restore food benefits and present to board.
•Staff to proceed with agreements and invoicing following full-board approval.
•Staff to request a formal Corporation Counsel opinion on scope and countywide implications and report back.

Nov

Public Health and Safety Committee Meeting 11-9-26

County committee meeting covered senior advisory council report, multiple grant acceptances across courts, health services and sheriff's office, discussion about federal grant language tied to immigration cooperation, and human-trafficking task-force expansion.

Discussion Points

•Commissioners expressed public interest in ICE-related cooperation language in federal grant contracts and requested legal review and sheriff presence.
•Court administrators explained grant uses including liaison and probation positions.
•EGLE funding decreased slightly compared to last year but will fund core environmental health activities.
•Federal "burn" grant language may require exchange of immigration status information under Title 8.
•Healthy TAPS funding limited to eligible Pontiac Medicaid households with children or pregnant women.
•Human Trafficking Task Force expanded to add Rochester City and additional local agencies.
•Multiple sheriff grants and applications presented across enforcement, training and task-force activities.
•QPCR pilot to target 12 beaches and test source tracking methodology.
•SAC completed a 35-page visioning report with a two-page executive summary focused on transportation, budget and programs.
•SAC has no dedicated operating budget and relies on outside funding and volunteer efforts.
•SAC lacks appointed district reps in multiple districts; quorum and appointment rules impede business.
•Staff to provide a letter from the state court administrative office and Corporation Counsel analysis.

Decisions

•Committee approved most items and separated one for a separate vote; follow-up documentation requested.
•Health items approved at committee level; staff to finalize documentation.
•Items advanced to finance with follow-up; committee recorded votes at the committee level.

Directions

•Committee to advance items conditionally to finance pending legal clarification.
•Committee to approve items and move to full-board consent if appropriate.
•Sheriff's office to provide prior contract language and work with Corporation Counsel to produce legal analysis.
•Sheriff to appear at a future board meeting or otherwise brief commissioners on policies and safeguards.
•Staff to accept an electronic copy of the report and distribute to commissioners.
•Staff to forward state court administrative office letter and comparative budget memo to Corporation Counsel, committee and finance.
•Staff to locate and review the resolution that created the advisory council to assess appointment/quorum language.
•Staff to upload corrected schedule documentation and distribute to commissioners.

Nov

Legislative Affairs and Government Operations Committee Meeting 11-5-26

Oakland County committee meeting where commissioners heard public comment about committee removals and public-comment access; the county executiveteam proposed dissolving the Department of Public Communications and creating an Office of Executive Communications; the board referred the proposal and several grants, leases and routine personnel/HR items to the full board or approved referrals.

Discussion Points

•Building-authority appointment postponed due to missing application.
•Clerk's office has an existing property records notification program; this resolution seeks to formalize PIN usage.
•Constituent notification will happen through permitting.
•County intends to terminate early if staffing and facilities become available sooner.
•Extension provides temporary maintenance capacity while capital improvements and staffing are planned.
•Extension sought to coordinate multiple funding sources for a more impactful project.
•Labor/HR protections: UAW consulted; HR will provide career coaching and interview assistance.
•Materials Management Planning Committee vacancy requires environmental-interest representative who must reside in Oakland County; staff to solicit applications and return in December.
•MDNR was awarded $500,000 from Michigan Health Endowment Fund to support design/engineering; fieldwork completed.
•Parks reappointments recommended after candidate statements about parks priorities and statewide trails experience.
•PINs are the most precise way to notify property owners of recorded filings given many identical names.
•Polly Ann Trail spans 37 miles with 16.9 in Oakland County; reduced immediate-scope area is 4.1 miles.
•Public commenters objected to removal of two commissioners from standing committees, saying it reduces representation for constituents.
•Rationale for decentralizing communications: put staff closer to subject-matter experts to create efficiencies and support operations.
•Residents criticized late release of the agenda packet and urged improved transparency.
•Revenue/enforcement: 6% revenue step-up at each 5-year renewal; possible additional revenue if other providers join.
•Site dimensions: 100x100 ft north of maintenance building; access road off Sashawall Road; tower height 190 ft under 200-ft threshold.
•Speakers urged keeping or expanding public-comment opportunities rather than shrinking them.
•Transition timeline: postings Dec. 1, interviews possibly Dec. 15, sunset of DPC March 1, 2027.

Decisions

•Committee recommended the extension to the board 5-0.
•Committee recommended the extension to the full board (5-0).
•Committee recommended the lease to the full board (5-0).
•Committee voted 5-0 to refer the PIN-indexing resolution to the full board.
•Committee voted to refer the item to the finance committee and full board; public hearing scheduled for Nov. 19, 2026.
•Postpone building-authority appointment; recommend parks and road commission reappointments; open materials-management committee application process.

Directions

•Administration to post competitive departmental positions on Dec. 1, if board approves; HR to coordinate transition support.
•Clerk/communications team to open public notice and set application deadline prior to December meeting.
•Clerk's office to present resolution language to board for adoption.
•Parks staff to coordinate with MDNR and engineering firm to combine funding and finalize plans.
•Parks to coordinate permitting and neighbor notice; finalize lease language for board consideration.
•Parks to proceed with capital-improvement planning and staffing to allow eventual termination of the interlocal arrangement.

Nov

Board Bulletin - November 2026

A county staff update summarized Oakland County's recent filing opposing DTE Energy's proposed residential rate increase, announced the reopening of Catalpa Oaks Park in Southfield after accessibility upgrades, and promoted a Solarize Oakland County informational session on Nov. 5 for residents, businesses and local governments.

Discussion Points

•Announcement described completed accessibility and amenity upgrades at Catalpa Oaks Park.
•Board filed a brief opposing DTE's proposed residential rate increase using volunteered resident billing data.
•County announced an informational session on Nov. 5 for Solarize Oakland County targeting residents and organizations.
•County asks regulators to require greater transparency on annual rate changes and to help customers find affordable options.

Decisions

•Filed brief to Michigan Public Service Commission (administrative filing)
•Park reopening announced

Oct

Flag Redesign Q&A

Oakland County officials outlined a public-driven flag redesign process, saying the current 1970 flag uses lettering and lacks meaningful symbolism. County staff said the design phase will be free with volunteer help from vexillology experts and that residents can submit designs through Jan. 4, 2027.

Discussion Points

•Cost responsibility and minimal replacement costs for physical flags
•Whether redesign implies changing county branding (county officials said no)
•Whether the 1970 flag remains appropriate given design guidance

Decisions

•Proceed with a public-driven redesign process; no formal vote or ordinance recorded

Directions

•County purchasing to source U.S.-made flags for replacements

Oct

Flag Friday: Call for Designers

Oakland County Commissioner Robert Smiley made a brief announcement inviting graphic designers to submit original proposals for a redesign of the Oakland County flag.

Discussion Points

•Commissioner Smiley announced the county is pursuing a flag redesign via a study group and invited design submissions.

Oct

Lesson 3: Microtransit

Oakland County Commissioner Bridal Johnson, chair of the Oakland County Transit Committee, outlined the county's microtransit program — an on-demand, zone-based ride service available in several cities. She described scheduling through the Smart Lehi app, fares from $2–$8 and service hours of 6 a.m.–11 p.m.

Discussion Points

•Definition and framing of microtransit as on‑demand shared transit within defined zones.
•Geographic rollout listing: Pontiac, Auburn Hills, Troy, Clawson, Farmington, Farmington Hills.
•Operational details: app-based booking via Smart Lehi, no fixed routes or schedules, fare range and operating hours.

Oct

Board Meeting 10-15-26

Oakland County Board of Commissioners held a regular meeting with proclamations and recognitions, multiple grant votes (including a $1,031,000 DOJ grant for Clemens), contested grants over immigration-reporting language, heated public comment focused on ICE enforcement and alleged misuse of county ALPR "Flock" data, and two failed motions to discharge whistleblower and ICE-related resolutions to the full board.

Discussion Points

•Clerk and chair said staff and Clemens CEO will prepare a memo addressing technical and accounting questions.
•Commissioner Smith Charles sought clarifications about Clemens' data retention policies and an independent privacy audit after cloud migration.
•Commissioners requested follow‑up briefings from sheriff and IT; no vote taken.
•Concerns that some DOJ burn grant language may require reporting arrests to ICE prompted 'no' votes from several commissioners.
•Opponents said state protections, union processes and claims review boards reduce the need for duplicative county policy and raised process concerns about referral and committee scheduling.
•Proponents argued state law does not substitute for clear county reporting processes and protections; supporters cited past contract controversies as evidence why a county policy is needed.
•Public commenters outlined alleged misuse of county ALPR data by a former deputy and called for release of records and access controls.
•Speakers cited municipal decisions (Madison Heights and others) to disconnect Flock devices.

Decisions

•Motions to discharge failed; no committee action taken at meeting.
•Multiple grants accepted; amendments adopted to remove Chorus procurement funding from a prosecution tech line item.
•No formal board action to terminate or modify Flock contracts at this meeting.

Directions

•Clemens CEO to prepare memo about data retention and privacy practices; fiscal staff to check schedule A inconsistencies and confirm award amounts for helicopter grant.
•Request for committee chair(s) to schedule hearings and for staff to prepare memos addressing scope, interaction with state law, and proposed processes.
•Staff and sheriff to prepare a memo/briefing about the data breach, access controls, and proposed policy changes (requested by commissioners).

Oct

Building Pontiac: Connecting Local Talent to Local Opportunity

A community trades recruitment event in Pontiac featured union and contractor representatives scouting workers, multiple job seekers calling apprenticeship opportunities life-changing, and organizers highlighting benefits and Oakland County support.

Discussion Points

•Attendees gave personal accounts of how apprenticeship opportunities would affect family finances and career prospects.
•Organizers described contractor scouting and registration logistics; attendees emphasized personal benefits and career potential.

Oct

Lesson 2: Paratransit

Commissioner Brendan Johnson gives a brief explanation of Oakland Countys paratransit service, describing how the transit millage funds door-to-door, wheelchair-accessible rides provided by community partners.

Discussion Points

•Definition and function of paratransit as a specialized, pre-booked, door-to-door service in wheelchair-accessible vehicles.
•Funding source: county transit millage.
•List of community partners providing rides: WOTA, NOTA, People's Express, OPC.

Oct

Finance Committee Meeting 10/07/2026

Oakland County Finance Committee met to consider procurement reforms, contract extensions, multiple grant acceptances (including DOJ and state EV grants), an EV charger fee pilot, a county microloan disbursement, HUD annual action plan acceptance, park and aviation grants, and a closed-session personnel/litigation matter; nearly all items passed by recorded voice votes.

Discussion Points

•Appropriation supports aviation search and rescue for inland lakes; department emphasized crew safety.
•ChargePoint cloud plan will manage timers and payments; six chargers are installed on campus.
•Clarified that 'Northern Border' label does not mean federal border enforcement.
•Commissioner concern over oversight and data security for funds going to Clemens.
•Contract was caught in purchase transition; facilities will maintain the building.
•Fees intended to cover operating/maintenance costs only; revenue to be routed to maintenance account.
•Grant amount $150,000 for Holly Oaks trail improvements; project must be completed and proof of payment provided by 09/30/2027.
•Grant amount $565,000 plus $140,000 in DTE rebates as match.
•Implement 'PO 1st' to encumber funds per department line to avoid invoice race conditions.
•Program leverages county funds to access SBA borrowing capacity ($100,000 unlocks $665,000).
•Project term ends 09/30/2027; staff do not anticipate difficulty meeting the deadline.
•Proposed rate: $0.30 per kWh; idling fee $5/hr after 30 minutes.
•Request routed to finance due to scheduling conflicts with parks commission.
•Roll out vendor onboarding playbook and procurement newsletter to support small local suppliers.
•Seed Lending provides technical assistance and tracks loan outcomes; past decade metrics presented.
•Shift solicitation start to 8–12 months before contract need; aim to complete solicitations in 4–6 months.
•Stabilize procurement staffing and add two procurement managers (construction/facilities and services backgrounds).
•Staff recommended a short one‑year extension while preparing a consolidated solicitation.
•This year's total is an increase of approximately $48,000 compared with prior year.
•Timing of federal request pre‑dated transfer effective date; transfer agreement includes offsets for grant receipts.
•Total funding close to $6M across CDBG, HOME and ESG plus program income and revolving loan funds.

Decisions

•Annual action plan accepted 7–0
•Appropriation accepted (6–1)
•Approved one‑year extension for United Landscape LLC
•Committee accepted grant 6–1
•Funding approved 7–0
•Grant acceptance approved 7–0
•Pilot fee schedule approved 7–0

Directions

•Proceed with allocation and HUD program reporting.
•Proceed with equipment and operations planning; document appropriation usage.
•Proceed with installation planning and coordinate DTE preapproval.
•Proceed with project and grant closeout documentation.
•Procurement to continue Workday assessment and report quick wins from vendor management/system changes.
•Procurement to include this property in a consolidated landscape solicitation or add it to an existing bid.
•Staff to document transfer and application of transfer agreement offsets.
•Staff to implement pilot, enforce idling penalties via station management, and return with evaluation after 12 months.
•Staff to provide an annual receiving file summary of microloan activity and recipients.
•Staff to return with policy recommendations and proposed changes before January.

Oct

Economic Development and Infrastructure Committee Meeting 10/07/2026

Oakland County Economic Development & Infrastructure committee heard presentations and approved multiple recommendations including an EV charging pilot fee, LED and fast-charger grants, renewal of a microloan program, PACE term changes, park parcel conveyance and transit funding amendments.

Discussion Points

•Chamber hears calls from seniors and mid/late-career professionals for hand-holding and trusted referrals.
•Grant covers ~5,000 bulbs (2,500 fixtures) and prepaid recycle boxes.
•No local match; grant term until 08/31/2027.
•Proposed pilot includes needs assessment, listening sessions and a roundtable with county partners.
•Proposed rates: $0.30/kWh; idling fee $5/hr after 30 minutes.
•Staff said aim is cost recovery, not revenue generation; county spent about $18,000 in electricity for chargers last year.

Decisions

•Committee recommended acceptance and forwarding to the full board unanimously.
•Committee recommended the policy and fee pilot to finance unanimously.
•Presentation received and filed by the committee for follow-up.

Directions

•Finance and board to review as part of budget/fee process.
•Pilot to start in November and run one year; staff to report back with data.
•Proceed with procurement and site-based rollouts to avoid spotty lighting; align some fixture changes with capital projects.
•Staff and chamber to coordinate a roundtable and consider a special-projects fund request for data collection.

Oct

Legislative Affairs and Government Operations Committee Meeting 10/06/2026

County committee meeting covering public comment on alleged misuse of the Flock database, acceptance of a MDNR off-road-vehicle grant, an election-cost reimbursement agreement with the Oakland County Zoological Authority, a recommended appointment to the Land Bank Authority, and postponement of several reappointments to November.

Discussion Points

•City representative noted majority of land-bank properties are in Pontiac, supporting a Pontiac representative on the Land Bank Authority.
•Commissioners asked about PFAS testing and the logistics of potable-water use for pressure washers.
•Director of Elections estimated nominal incremental cost since the question is on the November general-election ballot.
•Grant funds will finance water-management infrastructure (solar pump, potable well) and invasive-species controls (pressure-wash stations with capture).
•Preference expressed for in-person candidate appearances and updated resumes.
•Public concern over reported 58 searches of the Flock database by a former employee in February.
•Questioning of whether the sheriff's office investigation and prior public reassurances were sufficient.
•Reimbursement requirement exists in state statute and authority articles of incorporation.
•Whether to reappoint incumbents or solicit new applications.
•Younger described municipal housing and land-disposition experience.

Decisions

•Agreement approved; staff to coordinate billing and any nominal costs.
•Committee accepted the grant and will move forward with implementation.
•Committee recommended appointment to the full board.
•Postponed to November meeting by unanimous vote.

Directions

•Staff to coordinate testing and implementation with contracted well drillers and sanitarians.
•Staff to request applications/resumes and schedule appearances for November.

Oct

Public Health and Safety Committee Meeting 10/06/2026

Oakland County Public Health & Safety Committee heard public criticism of county surveillance partnerships, approved multiple federal grant acceptances (including a $1,079,898 FEMA homeland security grant and nearly $6 million in HUD program funds), moved forward a safer-communities biometric-gun-safe distribution plan, and accepted several sheriff's office grants including funding for aviation search-and-rescue upgrades.

Discussion Points

•Commissioners asked about software overlap with existing tools and requested demos.
•Commissioners asked that drone projects be removed from the currently proposed project list.
•Commissioners probed whether the aviation funds would purchase new aircraft or retrofit existing/donated airframes.
•Corp counsel reviewed draft contract; staff to complete procurement steps.
•County purchasing found equivalent price to nonprofit's vendor (~$7,300 for ~100 safes).
•Grant amount reported at $1,079,898 (increase from 2024).
•Grant will fund prevention, response and victim support; approx. $66k program and $10k for prosecutor's technology.
•HUD funds total ~ $6 million and will fund 21 positions and multiple housing programs.
•Multiple sheriff's office grants were presented for acceptance including DEA MOA and several DOJ/state grants.
•Public commenters alleged improper post-employment searches in Flock and asked for audits and a pause on expansion.
•Speakers urged county review of contracts, access logs and HR/IT access controls.
•Staff proposed moving to an application-based CDBG allocation process and adjusting recapture policy to enable more impactful reallocation.

Decisions

•Amendment passed directing procurement through county purchasing.
•Annual HUD award accepted; allocation method change advanced with committee oversight measures required.
•Grant accepted 4-0.
•Grant accepted; drone projects paused.
•Grants and MOA accepted by committee.

Directions

•Follow up with prosecutor's office on technology and provide demonstration if new licenses are purchased.
•Purchase safes through county purchasing and deliver to partners for community events.
•Remove drone projects from proposed projects in the grant spreadsheet pending further committee review.
•Staff to provide project-level annual action plan and document processes, and to continue community engagement.
•Staff to return with procurement options and timelines for aviation outfitting; demo/information visits for forensic equipment upon request.

Oct

A Day in the Life of Oakland County… HEALTH INSPECTORS

Oakland County Health Division staff outlined the county's restaurant inspection program, saying roughly 37 field inspectors conduct more than 10,000 inspections a year across about 5,000 licensed facilities, and reviewed the five major foodborne illness risk factors inspectors focus on.

Discussion Points

•Inspection frequency and annual inspection totals
•Inspection workforce and scope
•List and explanation of five foodborne-illness risk factors

Oct

Lesson 1: Fixed Route Buses

Commissioner Bridal Johnson, chair of the Oakland County Transit Committee, outlined recent and planned improvements to the county's fixed-route bus network, noting reduced no-shows, shorter wait times on the Woodward fast route and investments in shelters and concrete pads. She described fixed-route service as the system's backbone, highlighted the $2 fare and reminded riders that more details about flexible off-line options will follow.

Discussion Points

•Announcement of a future 'Lesson 2' on flexible transit options
•Capital investments: 50+ new shelters and 200+ concrete pads
•Claims of improved reliability and reduced no-shows since the 2022 transit mileage
•Definition and role of fixed-route buses as the system backbone

Directions

•None — this was an informational presentation/announcement

Oct

Board Bulletin - October 2026

Oakland County announced a public contest to design a new county flag, said the board approved the 2027–2029 county budget, and launched a new oaklandcountymi.gov web address.

Discussion Points

•Board approved the balanced 2027–2029 budget and prioritized housing, legal assistance, family support, food security, disability resources, and mental and maternal health.
•Contest open to all ages and nonresidents; submissions must be original; led by Commissioner Bridal Johnson.
•County launched oaklandcountymi.gov and cited improved recognition and security.

Decisions

•Approved budget (announced as unanimous)

Sep

County Budget Approved for FY 2027

Oakland County's board recently approved the county's 2027 budget, directing new funds to housing stability and legal assistance, food and caregiving supports, mental and maternal health, and expanded community safety programs while continuing major county initiatives such as Oakland80 and Oakland Connects.

Discussion Points

•$285,000 allocation for crisis intervention, emergency preparedness, human trafficking prevention, and child protection services.
•$500,000 allocation announced for mental and maternal health expansion.
•$700,000 allocation announced for housing stability and legal assistance.
•Announcement of 'more than half a million dollars' for food insecurity, disability-related needs, and caregiving pressures.
•Continuation of funding for Oakland80, the Sheriff's Office Crisis Response Unit, and Oakland Connects.
•Overview of budget approval and list of targeted investments (housing, food/caregiver support, mental/maternal health, community safety).

Decisions

•Budget approved by the Board (vote details not specified).

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