During the first full board meeting of 2023, incoming members of the Oakland County Board of Commissioners took their ceremonial oath of office and kicked off the 2023-2024 term. Commissioner David T. Woodward (D-Royal Oak) was re-elected chair and Marcia Gershenson (D-Bloomfield Twp.) was re-elected vice chair. The board also welcomed two new commissioners.
“This term’s board is the most diverse and most representative of our county yet, with commissioners from the widest variety of backgrounds, cultures and perspectives that this body has ever seen,” Woodward said. “Together we will the hit ground running, build on the past term’s success, and work to create greater equality, prosperity and opportunity for everyone over the next two years.”
The meeting also marked the first for Commissioners Brendan Johnson (D-Rochester Hills) and Ajay Raman (D-Novi), who are new members to the Board this term after winning election last November. The remaining members are returning incumbents. Commissioner Christine Long (R-Commerce Twp.) is the dean of the Board as the longest serving member and is beginning her 11th term.
Pastor Douglas P. Jones of Welcome Missionary Baptist Church in Pontiac delivered the meeting’s invocation. Oakland County Clerk/Register of Deeds Lisa Brown gave the oath of office.
In 2021, the board, acting as the county’s Apportionment Commission, adopted new county commission districts. For the 2023-2024 term, the following commissioners were sworn in to serve these districts:
District 1: David T. Woodward (D-Royal Oak)
District 2: Penny Luebs (D-Clawson)
District 3: Gary R. McGillivray (D-Madison Heights)
District 4: Brendan Johnson (D-Rochester Hills)
District 5: Michael Spisz (R-Oxford Twp.)
District 6: Michael J. Gingell (R-Lake Orion)
District 7: Bob Hoffman (R-Highland Twp.)
District 8: Karen Joliat (R-Waterford Twp.)
District 9: Angela Powell (D-Pontiac)
District 10: Kristen Nelson (D-Waterford Twp.)
District 11: Marcia Gershenson (D-Bloomfield Twp.)
District 12: Christine Long (R-Commerce Twp.)
District 13: Philip J. Weipert (R-South Lyon)
District 14: Ajay Raman (D-Novi)
District 15: Gwen Markham (D-Novi)
District 16: William Miller (D-Farmington Hills)
District 17: Yolanda Smith Charles (D-Southfield)
District 18: Janet Jackson (D-Southfield)
District 19: Charlie Cavell (D-Ferndale)
“The beginning of each new term always brings different challenges and opportunities,” Commissioner Michael Spisz (R-Oxford Twp.), who was reappointed as the chair of the minority caucus for this term, said. “With fewer Republican members on the board, we have a larger hill to climb. I am hopeful the board will continue our tradition of working together and across the aisle for the betterment of our wonderful county. I look forward to working with all commissioners over the next two years to do what is best for all of the residents and business owners of Oakland County.”
The board approved rules and established standing committees at the meeting to conduct county business going forward. The standing committees are Economic Development and Infrastructure; Public Health and Safety; Finance; and Legislative Affairs and Government Operations.
Additional information about the Board of Commissioners is available at www.oakgov.com/boc.
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