[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6541211,"mediaKeyId","3633364-9cecc76c52498a6cb4130d0db38e5b3c","parentId",3633364,"title","Board endorses Michigan 2-1-1 funding, opposes proposed CDBG/HOME and Medicaid cuts in FY26 budget","audioSeconds",524,"startMs",2728000,"endMs",3252000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3633364-9cecc76c52498a6cb4130d0db38e5b3c&start=2728&end=3252","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3633364-9cecc76c52498a6cb4130d0db38e5b3c/thumbnail_2728000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6541211/Oakland-County/Michigan/Board-endorses-Michigan-2-1-1-funding-opposes-proposed-CDBGHOME-and-Medicaid-cuts-in-FY26-budget","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6541211-c81fc37c784e58989cca38c0011630f7/orig.mp4?Expires=1771179341&Signature=NgB7H6EBi6Rl-VQ~il4PJndXIjVZ3ap0auplTRSk~5kKIW0SIHy7ioICfgoqaMhcqkgiZJ81B6rbLE16yBuibDwfM48mVPOZ5Q3fYqyY0ZyuYh9cnRwj1Bn474zdgTXS9J11eN1sZJ7yVITUlP1GYAn75d9a1z7R0Gpbc~9dnoqOl-gX6YQisIswDODMvw7J7H~fFYDDM7t1sB9WrEjKLFb1vuQspQgfXc2V9RAE2sbOuz6EK0UmDPoeqZ7ORyG0MRwhaCm52-B49EyPdgbe~iOgwd991PJmSIRnMY0EQlE0DMVzRK5idkZQe4xBm37SKZ5jDjfB7thpmiyLAHWEeA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Oakland County","date","2025-06-03T11:57:30Z","article","Oakland County commissioners considered three Legislature-and-budget-related items and moved recommendations to the full board.

Michigan 2-1-1 funding: Commissioner Loops moved and Commissioner Kureshinson seconded a motion to recommend funding for the Michigan 2-1-1 helpline in the FY26 budget. Supporters said 2-1-1 is the primary entry point for residents seeking housing, food and other social services and that demand for calls is increasing. Staff noted the United Way for Southeastern Michigan operates the regional 2-1-1 center for a four-county area and that the Michigan Senate had previously recommended a $6.6 million state appropriation. The board recorded the vote as 7 ayes, 0 nays.

Opposition to elimination of CDBG and HOME funding: Commissioner Woodward moved and Commissioner Hoffman seconded a resolution opposing elimination of Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) and HOME funds in the FY26 federal budget. Commissioners said the grants provide flexible funding for housing repairs, shelter capacity and services for seniors, low-income residents and other vulnerable groups. Staff said the combined local impact is significant; aggregate statewide figures and local county totals were discussed as approximate and staff warned elimination would harm shelter capacity and nonprofit partners. The board recorded the vote as 7 ayes, 0 nays.

Opposition to Medicaid cuts in FY26 federal budget: Commissioner Woodward moved and Commissioner Nelson seconded a motion opposing proposed Medicaid funding cuts in the federal FY26 budget. Commissioners argued cuts would reduce services for disabled residents, children, veterans and new mothers. Speakers cited bipartisan resistance to using Medicaid cuts to pay for other federal priorities. The board recorded the vote as 7 ayes, 0 nays.

Ending: All three motions were moved, seconded and put forward by the board; recorded roll-call tallies in the transcript show unanimous 7–0 votes where noted.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Legislative Affairs and Government Operations Committee Meeting 06-3-25","oneSentenceSummary","The board voted unanimously to recommend increased state funding for Michigan 2-1-1 and to oppose proposed eliminations of CDBG/HOME funding and cuts to Medicaid in the federal FY26 budget; motions were moved and seconded and recorded as 7–0 where roll-call tallies were provided.","taxTitle","Oakland County, Michigan","taxId",2835,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6541217,"Oakland County proposes 83-acre Heritage Oaks partnership with Farmington Hills; $4 million payment included",274,2104000,2378000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3633364-9cecc76c52498a6cb4130d0db38e5b3c&start=2104&end=2378","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3633364-9cecc76c52498a6cb4130d0db38e5b3c/thumbnail_2104000.jpg","/articles/6541217/Oakland-County/Michigan/Oakland-County-proposes-83-acre-Heritage-Oaks-partnership-with-Farmington-Hills-4-million-payment-included","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6541217-bf163b1f8a7a2af0911007c487410de3/orig.mp4?Expires=1771179341&Signature=NQL3pMgb6VmdFmZ0BigsnBSfx0ED4rfq8x0qX~EiMGIqcK3pLVF5t7me36jQiss8hmD78b9Z5Z01vHCoi1x9iVz3yes1xoplNxvqqlZEabM9vWC4nosI-27xvj8FWRef0WOu0X0anTsgaiVbbq4weuR-uVDW2HpX24d3zLTxo-Q-nQJ9gVPpkO6woiBPBz94S7-0tNt83SjQXjv9CJoWZbGGwim61teI6qSv~pg~8iPNJiZpRv8SmBKF3L91yrftA9DxnRlsLdAHYsleT4bq1BmITJ7bL7qt8OeuTXuuOa8TNFHrfmcofQLr0ToZCCRReILlTXiT859xDBBLceBxwQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Oakland County staff presented an interlocal partnership with the city of Farmington Hills to operate an approximately 83-acre portion of Heritage Park as “Heritage Oaks” under county management, and asked the board to recommend the agreement to the full board.

Staff said the county will make a $4,000,000 payment to the city to recognize the depreciated value of assets within the boundary area that would transfer to county management. The area identified for transfer includes the Farmington Hills Nature Center, the Spicer House, an archery range and primarily natural acreage and trail networks; staff said Heritage Park totals roughly 211 acres and that the transferred area complements the county park system.

The interlocal agreement includes a six-month transition period during which the county and city will work out operational details, such as which staff will provide on-site services versus county payrolled positions and potential reimbursement arrangements if city staff remain onsite. Staff estimated annual operating costs in the range of $500,000 to $1,200,000, comparable to similarly equipped county parks.

Farmington Hills representatives said the partnership will expand the county’s presence in southern Oakland County, increase marketing reach for Heritage Park and support capital improvements and operations. Staff also noted one inholding parcel with an occupied home was declined for county purchase in a prior opportunity and is not part of the transfer.

Commissioners asked about operating costs, the six-month transition and the inholding parcel; staff answered that millage revenues will cover operations and that the agreement includes a callback provision requiring reimbursement for depreciated county investments if the agreement ends.

The board moved the item to recommend to the full board; the transcript did not provide a recorded roll-call tally for the motion.","County and Farmington Hills presented an interlocal agreement that would transfer operation of about 83 acres within Heritage Park to Oakland County Parks, including the Farmington Hills Nature Center and Spicer House, in exchange for a $4 million payment for depreciated assets and a six-month transition.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6541221,"Oakland County seeks board recommendation for Metroparks swim-lessons partnership after Waterford Oaks closure",84,1870000,1954000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3633364-9cecc76c52498a6cb4130d0db38e5b3c&start=1870&end=1954","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3633364-9cecc76c52498a6cb4130d0db38e5b3c/thumbnail_1870000.jpg","/articles/6541221/Oakland-County/Michigan/Oakland-County-seeks-board-recommendation-for-Metroparks-swim-lessons-partnership-after-Waterford-Oaks-closure","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6541221-166ae49d040a66defe1924e1413695e2/orig.mp4?Expires=1771179341&Signature=B7DOwakqEQll82wIntujRHUBFf~PkPpOdthwjRYkjKJ8~iwzDDzkz8jnpLuA5JV-YVr-HLneGZMuMvd4beohBnEXVCuHdRFvu5R6nzOw0uMgur2hNPnkaxHW7AQKZIRs7MlCt2iHgxFf2N2YO0W~kvAsT1OMgAH8sqAlB7FafNzfZ1NHWMxuzwYjkJ-hFWm5p9JBxQu4SF0JjUoFUn9EXjhaMsox1rwhzgw~lgP2yjEkXqKvWfoLMNVkmiH4LbToYd15ah0~ZvnL52xX1Rb6sw~gQkhwmVtrwRfbPzTnJ~74eF88ZUqwdxE3TEwQJtmFZjsZ7ZtWz3j4OfWxmwo7pg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Oakland County staff asked the board to recommend approving a memorandum of understanding with Metroparks to continue the county’s swim-safety and lessons partnership for summer 2025, using Kettering High School’s pool after Waterford Oaks’ wave pool closure.

Commissioner Nelson moved the item and Commissioner Luebs seconded it. County staff said the program is nonexclusive and typically targets children in Pontiac and nearby communities; instructors will be park staff as in prior years. Because pool access will begin later this season, staff said the program will start in July and is expected to serve fewer children than in years that began in June; staff estimated program participation historically ranged in the multiple dozens per hour, with current estimates in the tens to low hundreds for the shorter season.

Staff said the county previously negotiated access with Waterford Public Schools to use Kettering’s pool and that park staff will provide instruction as before. Commissioners praised the program’s role in child safety given Oakland County’s many inland lakes.

The motion to recommend the memorandum of understanding to the board was made and seconded; no roll-call tally was recorded in the transcript provided.","County staff moved to recommend a memorandum of understanding with Metroparks to run a summer safety and swim lessons program using Kettering High School pool after the temporary closure of Waterford Oaks wave pool.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6541226,"Oakland County reviews 2026–2030 benefits roadmap, proposes new employee contribution structure and HSA changes",1694,129000,1823000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3633364-9cecc76c52498a6cb4130d0db38e5b3c&start=129&end=1823","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3633364-9cecc76c52498a6cb4130d0db38e5b3c/thumbnail_129000.jpg","/articles/6541226/Oakland-County/Michigan/Oakland-County-reviews-20262030-benefits-roadmap-proposes-new-employee-contribution-structure-and-HSA-changes","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6541226-cb0a16cab3e04a6758ea691e7419df1d/orig.mp4?Expires=1771179341&Signature=loRN4c5eRMeJoqINqhZBube13H4~m1fX0wWGSGYWTt76aasBb3w1KEWtk3mAX-Y3Fr6BoISWFO0FK~4GUtr-0kePBFqwNghCMmDIc0J4xZJGUCf7CbkNLK8Vlp41XkIMt6oeY2pLvdq~On4zYt5Xdbr-x8x9jPbxl4FdDBh8tjhOi4PKZ-d3SiOq0xv1jcuVHJDBJYalq-A9~IdgLCnRFo6FYUC5Cjp8gh~dxOc7cJ~HN~dSanC95AmlUbVmA5cSYwdi~lxRqXbLpdqsrMTNKhQSmmkppDSK65EBmE5WvOu4lCQUvpn~c5Zd2~8xnPjl~54KCOhPi~cOROb4~NyCEg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Oakland County Human Resources presented proposed updates to its five-year benefits roadmap for 2026–2030 and asked the board to recommend forwarding the proposal to the finance committee.

The HR presenter said the county’s fringe benefits fund has grown 5–8% annually and singled out prescription drug costs as the fastest-rising driver, noting roughly $4,000,000 in prescription spending in the first four months of the plan year for certain drugs. To address long-term sustainability, staff proposed a restructured employee contribution chart, a fully funded Health Savings Account (HSA) option for 2026, expanded opt-out waivers for dependents, and other mid- and out-year plan changes.

The HR presenter said the intent of the changes is to preserve competitive benefits while keeping employee contribution rates below typical market levels. “When it comes to benefits, we’re in a Bentley, but we’re heading for a cliff. I want to put us in a Cadillac we can drive forever,” the presenter said.

Under the proposal staff described, contribution tiers would expand from three family-composition buckets to five (including separate categories for single adults, single parents, multiple children, spouses/other adults). The county would keep most employee contributions at or below about 10% of actual plan cost and below half of typical market contributions, staff said. The proposal also preserves contractual limits in the current United Auto Workers (UAW) bargaining language that cap increases for employees with a child on the plan to $10 or less and any employee with a spouse to $35 or less.

To make a $0 employee-premium option viable, staff proposed a high-deductible plan paired with an HSA that the county would fully fund in the initial transition year (2026) to meet that plan’s deductible. Staff said the county currently contributes $1,000 for single coverage and $2,000 for family coverage under its high-deductible arrangement and that the HSA vehicle is immediately vested and portable. HR staff also described a plan to front-load county HSA contributions so employees facing early-year costs would be protected.

Dental and vision changes were included. Staff described a new buy-up “premier” dental option that adds adult orthodontics (up to $2,000 per individual) and increases base annual dental coverage from $1,000 to $1,500, funded by buy-ups or revised plan design.

For 2027 and later, HR proposed revising pharmacy tiering into a five-tier design that would add two specialty-drug tiers with capped dollar amounts for the highest-cost medications rather than a straight percentage co-pay. Staff said the county will continue to use available assistance programs (Blue Cross concierge services, GoodRx and other tools) for employees with high-cost prescriptions.

Commissioners asked for clarification on respite care and other benefit expansions; HR staff said the respite proposal under consideration would help caregivers find and receive in-home care rather than being a direct cash reimbursement. Staff also described ongoing employee outreach and new “benefit bites” communications to explain coverages.

The board did not record a detailed roll-call tally in the transcript for the motion to recommend the roadmap to finance; the item was moved and seconded and put on the table for a vote.

The HR team said additional roadmap items beyond the immediate 2026 actions would return for specific board approvals in subsequent years.

Ending: The board advanced the item to the next step by motion; staff will appear before finance for budget modeling of the proposed contribution changes and the county’s planned HSA funding in 2026.","County HR presented updates to the five-year benefits roadmap and requested the board recommend forwarding the plan to finance. Staff proposed restructuring employee contribution tiers, a fully funded Health Savings Account option for 2026, and future changes to prescription tiers to contain specialty-drug costs.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Board endorses Michigan 2-1-1 funding, opposes proposed CDBG/HOME and Medicaid cuts in FY26 budget

Oakland County proposes 83-acre Heritage Oaks partnership with Farmington Hills; $4 million payment included

Oakland County seeks board recommendation for Metroparks swim-lessons partnership after Waterford Oaks closure

Oakland County reviews 2026–2030 benefits roadmap, proposes new employee contribution structure and HSA changes