Oakland County · issues
Civic issues
Topics getting the most attention in Oakland County public meetings, ranked by how frequently they come up.
Sheriff's Office grants and task force agreements
Nine Sheriff items would bring in state and federal money for narcotics enforcement, police training, off-road vehicle patrols, traffic safety, and overtime on FBI task forces — plus agreements on search-and-rescue and human trafficking prevention. Grant dollars cover the work, keeping costs off county taxpayers.
ICE Enforcement on County Property
The Ad Hoc Committee reported the county's actions against ICE cooperation: no 287(g) agreement, ending the Clemis contract with ICE, and policies restricting ICE access without judicial warrants. Residents pressed for codified ordinances and funding for legal aid and food support.
Flock surveillance data breach
Residents flooded public comment demanding the county cancel the $2.5 million Flock drone/camera contract approved April 8, citing data misuse, ICE cooperation, and the recall of Chair Woodward over a paid trip to Flock headquarters. Cavell's moratorium motion failed for lack of a second.
County funding for Planned Parenthood health services
The county will pay up to $1.5 million through August 2028 to reimburse preventive and reproductive health services at the Ferndale Planned Parenthood — the last clinic in Oakland County after federal cuts closed three others. Backers say it keeps cancer screenings, STI testing and birth control accessible for roughly 6,000 residents a year; opponents say taxpayers shouldn't fund an organization they morally or politically object to, and criticized the missing contract details.
FY 2027-2029 County Budget
The county executive's proposed three-year, $1.3 billion budget is structurally balanced with no planned use of fund balance for operations. It funds worker raises (3-3.75%), indigent defense support, a human trafficking deputy, crime lab upgrades, lead testing staff, and the free veteran transit program. Budget hearings begin in August with adoption due before October 1.
Sheriff contract cost transparency dispute
Orion Township's supervisor, clerk/trustee, and treasurer said the county still hasn't provided cost data behind sheriff contract rates, leaving them unable to set a police millage — with a potential $2 million swing. They cited a missed contractual CPI deadline and a FOIA request.
Flock drone surveillance pilot (Project Prove It)
The board approved a nine-month free pilot of Flock drone response services for the sheriff's office. Residents packed the chamber opposing mass surveillance, data sharing with ICE, and the decision to vote before hearing public comment. A Hoffman amendment requires Board approval of any follow-on contract and bars Flock from retaining data.