One of the Oakland County Board of Commissioners’ most important objectives is approving a balanced countywide budget that supports residents, businesses and visitors. From keeping our communities safe to supporting beautiful outdoor spaces and meeting the ever-changing needs of residents, the careful consideration the commissioners give the budget entails more than you might realize. Let’s take a closer look to see the steps “Behind the Budget” each year!
- Oakland County Executive Dave Coulter presents the budget proposal for the next three fiscal years at the July Board meeting. The commissioners receive a copy of the 300-400-page budget book, which shows exactly how each department is using its funds.
- Commissioners analyze the book line by line to learn about each department’s needs and requests.
- For two weeks in August, the Board’s Finance Committee, led by Chair Gwen Markham, holds a series of budget hearings. Over the course of the 18+ hours of hearings, the commissioners hear directly from 22 county departments in person about their upcoming needs, giving the commissioners the opportunity to ask questions.
- The Finance Committee considers whether any amendments should be made to the final budget to keep it balanced and fair.
- The budget must be approved before the start of the next fiscal year, so the Board’s September meeting (also known as the annual meeting) is the final step, where all 19 commissioners vote on the final budget.
How do you know the budget is working to improve life for everyone in the county? Dive a little deeper into a few of the success stories from the fiscal year 2026 budget in action:
- With a focus on the health of our residents, the Board approved funds that provided for additional testing of public beach water across the county. This allowed the Oakland County Health Division to monitor 146 beaches on 80 lakes for unsafe levels of bacteria. More testing meant that beaches could be reopened as soon as they were deemed safe, letting residents get back to fun in the sun worry-free.
- Caring for each other is foundational to a thriving community, and sometimes that care comes from an emergency shelter in the winter months. To ensure safety, warmth and security for vulnerable women and children, the board allocated funds to the Safe Tonight Shelter. As a result, 50 shelter residents are transitioning into subsidized housing, putting them on a path to a bright future.
- Residents need to know that there is a system of justice that can protect everyone who lives, works or travels in Oakland County. Stamping out the horrors of human trafficking keeps the whole county safe, so the Board made sure the budget increased staff on the Human and Drug Trafficking Unit. The result? The Oakland County Sheriff’s Office and the Oakland County Prosecutor’s Office have a 98% conviction rate in trafficking cases.
Be sure to tune into the Board meeting on Sept. 17, 2026, and watch the commissioners discuss and vote on the final budget for the next three years. Find out which priorities will keep us on the right track in Oakland County!
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