Three county residents were nominated from among 15 applicants for the newly formed Oakland County Land Banking Authority.
The land bank’s purpose is to take title to the property, typically through a tax foreclosure process, sell the land to the owner, and return the property to taxability.
District 5 Commissioner Kristen Nelson (D-Waterford) chaired the Legislative Affairs and Government Operations Committee and interviewed leading candidates for three positions. One was from the city and she had three applicants, another one representing the town or village and she had only one applicant.
The members of the committee are Pontiac resident and city deputy mayor Halfani Stevens, Beverly Hills village manager Jeffrey Campbell, and President of the Farmington Hills-based Chaldea American Chamber of Commerce. It recommended the appointment of a member of the public, Martin Manna.
The commission approved the nomination by a vote of 14 to 6, with many Republicans opposing the establishment of the Land Bank.
“I voted ‘No’ for the Land Bank, so I’m going to vote ‘No’ for the appointment,” said First District Commissioner R-Lake Orion and Mike, the commission’s minority caucus director. Gingel said. “In my personal opinion, we don’t need a land bank. Oakland County doesn’t deserve it.”
The terms of all new Board members will begin as soon as the Committee approves their appointments, while Stevens’ term will end on August 17, 2024 and will end on another date. Campbell and Mana will terminate her August 17, 2023.