Proposed Legislation in Oakland County to Curb Conflicts of Interest

News Summary

A new bill by Rep. Donni Steele seeks to prevent Oakland County elected officials from holding outside jobs to avoid conflicts of interest. The initiative targets concerns related to current commission chairman Dave Woodward’s consultancy role with Sheetz. With investigations highlighting similar issues with other officials, the need for clearer guidelines on external employment and financial transparency in governance has emerged, as certain commissioners advocate for reform. The county’s outdated ethics guidelines are also being called into question as discussions on the proposed legislation continue.

Pontiac, Michigan — A proposed legislation introduced by Oakland County Republican State Representative Donni Steele aims to prevent county elected officials from holding outside jobs due to conflicts of interest. This initiative stems from concerns surrounding county commission chairman Dave Woodward, a Democrat, who currently works as a consultant for Sheetz, a Pennsylvania-based convenience store chain.

Steele presented her proposal during an Oakland County Board of Commissioners meeting on August 14, 2023, highlighting the potential issues arising from Woodward’s dual role. The legislation remains in draft form, but it intends to impose limitations on county elected officials taking jobs that could overlap with their public responsibilities. The specific parameters of the bill regarding which officials it will affect are still being determined.

Woodward has held his consultancy position with Sheetz for the last one and a half years, advising on policy and politics while simultaneously serving as commission chairman. He has publicly denied any conflict of interest, emphasizing that no votes regarding Sheetz have taken place within the Oakland County Board of Commissioners. Woodward has pledged to recuse himself from any discussions or decisions related to Sheetz, should they arise in the future.

The scrutiny on Woodward’s outside consulting work comes amid media investigations that have revealed potential conflicts of interest involving other county commissioners, including Angela Powell, William Miller, and Brendan Johnson. These investigations point to a broader concern regarding external employment and its impact on public service in Oakland County.

Despite Woodward’s assurances, former Royal Oak city attorney Charles Semchena contends that Woodward’s consultancy role undermines his obligations to constituents. The matter has garnered attention from other commissioners as well, with some advocating for improved financial transparency concerning external earnings of elected officials. Notably, commissioners like Cavell and Nelson are pushing for changes to ensure that any outside interests do not interfere with fundamental governance duties.

In the context of this issue, the Oakland County board currently adheres to ethics guidelines established in the early 1990s, which do not adequately address 21st-century concerns over potential conflicts. Alongside the focus on Woodward, the Sheetz company has plans for significant expansion in Michigan, anticipating the opening of 50 to 60 new locations across the state in the coming years. This expansion is coupled with local community concerns regarding the impact of such developments.

The Oakland County Board of Commissioners is also linked to a recent controversy surrounding the approval of a new gas station by the Royal Oak City Commission, despite opposition from local residents. Woodward’s role in the approval process has been closely examined, raising additional questions about the intersection of county governance and private commercial interests.

As discussions on the proposal continue, Steele emphasizes the importance of safeguarding the integrity of local government by curbing potential conflicts associated with outside jobs for elected officials. The emerging debate reflects ongoing tensions about balancing individual professional pursuits with public service obligations and ensuring transparency in governance.

Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic

• Detroit Free Press
• Michigan Advance
• Detroit News
• Crain’s Detroit Business
• Wikipedia: Conflict of Interest