Oakland County Democratic commissioners approve pay raises, GOP members object

OAK PARK, Mich. (FOX 2) - Pay raises are on the way for Oakland County commissioners after Democratic board members voted to give themselves a significant increase.

The GOP board members objected to the measure. There wasn’t a lot of discussion at the Dec. 12 meeting when Oakland County Commissioners voted to give themselves a 21% pay increase. 

Commissioners make just over $45,000 - for the part-time job- but the new raises will pump up their base salary to $55,000 starting Jan. 1.

"I don’t think it’s a good example to set," said Oakland County Republican Commissioner Bob Hoffman. 

The vote was 11 to 5 along the party lines. Hoffman voted against the raises. 

"I thoroughly love this job, though, because I think it's a position where you can actually help people," he said. "So to me, it's not about the money."

Commission Chair Dave Woodward noted that in 2025, the Macomb County Commissioner will make $47,000, and the Wayne County Commissioner will make $72,000.  

"What do you say to Dave Woodward who was promoting this, saying that county commissioners should be paid $55,000?" asked FOX 2's Charlie Langton.

"He’s entitled to his opinion," Hoffman responded.

In a statement, Woodward said:
"… Considering the work required to best serve on the governing body of a county of 1.3 million people… these salaries are reasonable and proportional to similar roles in the area and across the state."

"Despite voting it down, are you going to take the money?" asked Charlie Langton.

"Yes, but I donate a lot of money to a lot of different causes," Hoffman responded.

The commissioners’ salaries will also rise about 1% each year to 2028.