Oakland County Executive Dave Coulter announced the launch of a new financial disclosure page on the county’s website on Jan. 15; a move aimed at expanding transparency and strengthening public trust in county government. The new webpage makes personal financial disclosure forms publicly available for the county executive, deputy county executives, and the county’s chief financial officer.
The disclosures fulfill a commitment Coulter made in December to voluntarily post financial information annually for senior executive staff. While some levels of government require financial disclosures by elected officials, Michigan does not currently have a statewide law mandating such reporting for officials at this level. County leaders said the absence of a legal requirement created an opportunity for Oakland County to take proactive steps to demonstrate accountability.
The new page can be accessed at oakgov.com/government/county-executive/disclosures and will be updated annually. It is intended to give residents greater insight into the financial interests of the county’s top administrators, helping to reduce concerns about potential conflicts of interest and reinforcing ethical standards in public service.
“Transparency is essential to maintain the public’s confidence in how their government operates,” Coulter said. “While there is not yet state law requiring such financial disclosure for elected officials, I believe we should lead by example. That’s why my senior leadership team and I are making these disclosures available to the public.”
County officials said the decision to publish the information was driven by growing public expectations for openness in government and increased scrutiny of how public officials manage both public resources and their personal financial affairs.
In recent years, communities across Michigan and the nation have called for clearer ethical standards and easier access to information about those in positions of power. By voluntarily releasing this information, Oakland County leadership aims to address those concerns directly.
The financial disclosure forms outline various sources of income, assets, and other financial interests held by the county executive and senior leadership. Making the forms publicly accessible allows residents, watchdog groups, and the media to review the information without the need for formal requests, reducing barriers to public oversight.
Coulter’s administration emphasized that the initiative is not only about compliance or optics, but about setting a tone for ethical governance. County leaders said they hope the disclosure page will encourage informed civic engagement and demonstrate that transparency can be implemented without waiting for legislative mandates.
The launch of the disclosure page also reflects broader conversations within county government about trust and accountability. Officials noted that when residents have confidence in their leaders, it strengthens relationships between the public and local government and supports more effective policymaking.
By taking this step, Oakland County positions itself among a growing number of local governments choosing to go beyond minimum requirements to make information more accessible. Coulter said the administration will continue to look for ways to expand transparency and ensure residents can see how their government operates at every level.
