At their board meeting Wednesday morning, the Oakland County Board of Commissioners unanimously approved the triennial County budget resolution for fiscal years 2020 through 2022. Adoption of the FY 2020 balanced budget was the result of an extensive, collaborative and bi-partisan effort. Leadership in both caucuses worked together with County Executive David Coulter to come to an agreement to fund county-wide programs and services for Oakland County residents and businesses.
“It’s a new day in Oakland County, and this budget is the beginning of putting our progressive values into action, making people’s lives better, and doing the most good for the most people,” said Board Chairman David T. Woodward (D-Royal Oak). “We’ve [unanimously] approved a budget that fixes more local roads than ever, protects our water, improves health care, and helps grow our local economy.”
“I would like to congratulate the administration and the board on adopting a budget that is consistent with past financial practices, and that is responsible from an overall spending perspective,” said Republican Caucus Chairman Michael J. Gingell (R-Lake Orion).
The bipartisan, unanimous vote was the result of a budget agreement that plans to utilize county resources to fund high priority quality of life initiatives, including:
• $2 million for the Local Road Improvement Program and $2 million for the Tri-Party Road Improvement Program. These county funds are matched by local municipalities, ensuring a minimum $8 million investment in road repairs and improvements in Oakland County communities.
• $300,000 for the Oakland County Drinking Water Station Program. The drinking water stations will give students quick and easy access to drinking water and help teach eco-friendly methods of water consumption, promoting both healthier kids and a healthier environment.
• $100,000 for minority community health initiatives.
• $500,000 for additional board projects, including funding for fighting invasive species, providing local schools with safety liaison officers, and more.
The above amendments finalized the adoption of the balanced, three-year budget first proposed by the late County Executive L. Brooks Patterson to the Board of Commissioners on July 18. The Finance Committee conducted an in-depth review of the plan and held hearings with department heads in the months following the original proposal. At the Finance Committee meeting on September 11, the committee recommended approval of the proposed budget by a unanimous, bi-partisan vote.
“I am thrilled that we are able to provide county funding for local roads and schools, as well as important environmental and health care initiatives,” said Commissioner Helaine Zack (D-Huntington Woods), who serves as chair of the Finance Committee. “I strongly support these programs, which will benefit all Oakland County residents and communities, especially children, families and those in need.”
The general fund budgets for fiscals 2020, 2021 and 2022 are $475,603,464; $484,709,989 and $489,626,487, respectively. The total budget funds for those years are $921,919,551; $932,201,134 and $937,571,168, respectively.
For additional information about the Board of Commissioners, visit www.oakgov.com/boc or call 248-858-0100.
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