Commissioners welcome new members
The 21-member Oakland County Board of Commissioners will be ceremonially sworn in for the 20212022 term on Wednesday, which includes four new members.
The county’s legislative body will welcome Democrats Charlie Cavell and Yolanda Charles and Republicans Chuck Moss and Karen Joliat, who are replacing commissioners that served nearly 60 years combined on the board including Shelley Taub, Tom Middleton, Nancy Quarles, and Helaine Zack.
During the Wednesday meeting, the board will approve nominations for board leadership positions including board chair and vice chair, and caucus chairs and vice chairs. The board will also approve standing committee assignments for the 20212022 term including the Finance, Legislative Affairs and Government Operations, Economic Development and Infrastructure, and Public Health and Safety Committees.
The board’s pandemic response and economic recovery committee, formed last spring to oversee all COVID-19-related policies, programs, and spending, will be no more. The responsibilities and duties of this committee will now be handled by the other standing committees.
Today, the Democratic and Republican caucuses will meet for the first time in the new term to discuss nominations for board leadership positions and standing committee assignments, according to Board Chair David Woodward (D-Royal Oak), who is expected to remain board chair for the 2021-2022 term.
Commissioner Marcia Gershenson (D-West Bloomfield Township) is expected to remain board vice chair.
Commissioner Michael Spisz (R-Oxford) has been nominated Republican caucus chair, while Commissioner Michael Gingell (ROrion Township) has been nominated to serve as the caucus’ vice chair.
On the Democratic side, Kristen Nelson (D-Keego Harbor) has been nominated to serve as majority caucus chair while Commissioner Janet Jackson (D- Southfield) has been nominated to serve as caucus vice chair.
Following the Nov. 7 general election, the board was able to maintain its 11-10 Democratic majority.
In December, the board approved the county’s new salary administration plan, which will increase county employee salaries by nearly $11 million or 3.16%. County elected officials, included those on the board, will not see a pay raise in 2021.