Dib named chief of staff to county board
The Oakland County Board of Commissioners have approved the appointment of Patti Dib as its new chief of staff.
On Feb. 4, Chris Ward left the position after being appointed by County Executive David Coulter as deputy county executive to oversee policy development and strategic community relations. As deputy county executive, Ward will continue to work with the board of commissioners to continue the ongoing collaborative efforts between the board and the Coulter administration.
In a letter, David Woodward (D-Royal Oak), board chair, informed his fellow commissioners that he was appointing Dib to fill the vacant position. During the board’s Thursday meeting, the appointment was approved 19-2 by the board with commissioners Yolanda Charles (D-Southfield) and Angela Powell (D-Pontiac) voting “no.” In January, the board formed a Chief of Staff Study Group to help identify candidates.
Dib, who begins her new role April 9, has served as chief of staff for the Macomb County Board of Commissioners since 2006. She will make $131,540 per year in base salary.
“As Oakland County’s legislative body, the board plays a key role in county government, especially pertaining to public policy and oversight of the budget,” she said. “I am excited to join the team, and I look forward to helping commissioners with their upcoming vital work navigating post-pandemic recovery issues, as well as utilizing funding from the American Rescue Plan to best serve Oakland County residents.”
As chief of staff, Dib will lead daily operations of the board and its staff, serve as board spokesperson, and act as a liaison between the board and Woodward, members and committees, as well as between the board and county executive staff and representatives from other governmental offices. She will also be responsible for providing commissioners with guidance and analysis related to their duties, legislation, board programs and the county budget.
Woodward said Dib brings years of administrative, legislative, policy, and communications leadership to this “important role.”
“With extensive experience in county government, the residents of the county will be served well knowing Patti is here to help support the entire governing body of Oakland County, and help take our county to the next level,” he said.
Commissioner Michael Spisz (R-Oxford), the board’s GOP caucus chair, said Dib’s diverse skill set will continue to allow the board to function at a high level along with driving improvements in the future.
Charles told The Oakland Press that she’s looking forward to working with Dib and that her “no” vote does not mean that she thinks Dib is unqualified for the job.
She added that she wanted to “stand in solidarity” with Meghan Sellers, who is currently serving as the interim chief of staff and was a candidate to replace Ward. Charles believes strongly in internal succession planning and rewarding existing employees for work done well.
When contacted via text by The Oakland Press about her “no” vote, Powell replied with, “NO COMMENT.”
Among its legislative duties, the board is responsible for reviewing and approving the county’s annual budget, which totals around $900 million for fiscal year 2021.