After weeks of controversy about a top elected officials side jobs, Oakland County Executive David Coulter is unveiling sweeping ethics reforms.

Thats something other County leaders have been asking for as well, and now Coulter is calling on the Oakland County Board of Commissioners to adopt financial disclosure statements similar to those adopted by state lawmakers in 2023. But Coulters says he wants the transparency requirements to go farther by extending the rules to the spouses/domestic partners of Oakland County elected officials and Coulters appointees.

Watch Heather Catallo's 7 Investigation below: 'Oakland County is better than this.' Coulter unveils sweeping ethics reforms after 7 Investigation

Oakland County is better than this. I will not allow recent political discord and lack of transparency to undermine the trust our residents place in and us and the progress we are making, said Coulter in a press release.

The announcement follows several stories by the 7 Investigators, including investigations into the role Oakland County Board of Commissioners Chair Dave Woodward has played related to his side job as a consultant for the Sheetz gas station chain.

"I fully support Executive Coulter's proposal," Woodward said in a statement shortly after the announcement. "The Board of Commissioners stands ready to review and act on it quickly. I believe in doing what's right, always leading with integrity and holding ourselves to the highest standards as we continue to deliver for the people of Oakland County."

The 7 Investigators were the first to report that county records revealed Woodward appears to have used his position with other county employees for a proposed Waterford Sheetz location.

Coulters proposal uses the state of Michigans Public Officers Financial Disclosures Act as its base, but hes also asking for additional requirements, including:

Spouse/domestic partner reporting Household adult dependent reporting Assets/interests held by certain trusts related to a person required to report Requirement to amend financial disclosure midyear with any new outside income source greater than $10,000.

Coulter says he wants the financial disclosures to be kept by the County Clerk, and they will be available online.

Watch below: Did commission head use position to help along possible Sheetz in Waterford?

Did commission head use position to help along possible Sheetz in Waterford?

The county executive is also asking that the county create an Ethics Ombudsperson who can receive referrals from members of the public and other whistleblowers about allegations of conflicts of interest among county leadership and employees.

Ethics and transparency are not about playing gotcha they are about building trust with the public, said Coulter. "An independent ombudsperson will guarantee ethical concerns are handled fairly, above politics and beyond personalities.

I'm being 100% transparent and ethical, Oakland County Commission Chair Dave Woodward told the 7 Investigators during an on-camera interview in August, as he maintained he does not have a conflict of interest with his outside jobs.

Even though Woodward makes $82,500 as Board Chair, he also owns two companies: Woodward & Associates L.L.C. and a political consulting business.

Through his Woodward & Associates, Woodward has been appearing at public meetings on behalf of the Sheetz gas station chain.

Site plans for a proposed Sheetz on Highland Road in Waterford Township included a curb cut onto the countys airport exit road.

While Woodward has said I havent been part of anything involving the county, records reviewed by the 7 Investigators suggest otherwise.

Related Video: Oakland County commission head defends Sheetz side job, denies conflict of interest

Oakland Co. commission head defends Sheetz side job, denies conflict of interest

Those records from late July show Oakland County Aviation Manager Cheryl Bush told another county employee that We have agreed to allow egress access to Patterson Parkway to a neighboring landlord for development of a Sheetz gas and service station.

Bush went on to say, Chairman Woodward has been a strong proponent of this, along with support from [Deputy County Executive] Sean Carlson. (Honestly, this is strongly against my better judgment, but I have been overruled.).

Even though Woodward has maintained he has no conflict with his Sheetz job, many of his fellow elected officials say they disagree.

I don't think what Dave Woodward is doing is ethical, it's just not, said Waterford Township Supervisor Anthony Bartolotta during an interview earlier this summer. Bartolotta said Woodward called him to set up a meeting with himself and representatives from Sheetz.

I think it's outrageous. The people have a right to know if the person that they elected has personal conflicts of interest, financial conflicts of interest, said Oakland County Commissioner Kristen Nelson (D-Waterford).

With all the items in the press these days relative to the county, it's not putting the county in a good light, said Oakland County Commission Minority Caucus Chair Michael Spisz (R-Oxford).

Spisz told the 7 Investigators he agrees that financial disclosure rules are needed. Woodward has thus far declined to disclose his other clients.

How do you know as a member of the finance committee and a member of the board whether you're voting on things that [Woodwards] actually financially benefiting from? asked 7 Investigator Heather Catallo.

We dont, said Spisz. It's concerning. It should be concerning for all of us as commissioners, for any of us to be in that position that we're voting or another colleague is voting on something that is potentially a conflict of interest.

Commissioners Nelson and Charlie Cavell (D-Ferndale) say they left the commissions Democratic caucus when their efforts to expand transparency and financial disclosure rules were shut down by Woodward earlier this year.

Watch below: Oakland County commissioners say they're facing retaliation over transparency push

Oakland County commissioners say they're facing retaliation over transparency push

There is a pattern of bad behavior, said Cavell. We asked to be heard, to make our community stronger, and have people trust that government is working for them. And we were told no.

Commissioner Nelson released a statement to the 7 Investigators about Coulter's proposal: "I am cautiously optimistic and glad to see Executive Coulter making ethics and financial disclosure a priority for Oakland County. These reforms must be meaningful, and I am eager to see the details of what will be proposed. I also want to acknowledge the important role investigative journalism has played in bringing these issues to the forefront, and I am deeply grateful to the many citizens who have reached out to me and Commissioner Cavell to support our ongoing reform efforts. Their voices have been essential in keeping this conversation alive and moving it forward."

There have been other things facing scrutiny in Oakland County government, including an investigation into how a $450,000 IT contract got awarded to a current county employee. After a whistleblower pointed out the conflict, the contract was canceled and a third-party review of how that happened has been under way.

Regarding the airport easement, Bush told the 7 Investigators in September that Woodward made introductions to her to the Sheetz representatives.

I knew that Dave Woodward was interested in the project, but he has also expressed to me, always stay true to what is best for the airport, said Bush. He made introductions to the Sheetz folks.

Nick Ruffner, the public affairs manager for Sheetz, released a statement to 7 News Detroit in the past that reads, "We want to emphasize that Sheetz is not engaged in any business, applications, or requests before the Oakland County Board of Commissioners. From the outset, we recognized the importance of maintaining a clear line between Daves public service and this part-time advisory role. We proactively took steps to ensure that no conflicts of interest exist and continue to uphold that commitment."

After the 7 Investigators started asking county officials about the easement at the airport, they announced they were not going to approve the easement/curb cut.

Coulter says he has directed his staff to immediately finalize language with the Board of Commissioners so they can introduce a resolution at their next board meeting on October 16 and have a vote on it before the end of the year.

If you have a story for Heather Catallo, please email her at hcatallo@wxyz.com

The plans for a proposed Sheetz gas station were up for review Tuesday night in Waterford Township.

The 7 Investigators have been looking into allegations of a conflict of interest with the site and Oakland County Board of Commission Chair Dave Woodward.

The proposal to rezone the property hit the brakes after the planning commission deadlocked Tuesday night on whether to move forward on this. For now, its postponed until next month.

Watch Heather Catallo's video report below: Vote on Sheetz development postponed

Several people during public comment referenced the 7 Investigation we reported Monday about the controversy surrounding the property.

If we put at 24-hour gas station, restaurant, liquor store in this area, what will that do for the crime rate? resident Robin McGregor said about the rezoning efforts. Changing the zoning on this isnt going to help the master plan of what we have. The things that this planning board and the planning commission has done has been phenomenal, but this really doesnt fit in that.

Previous report: Did Oakland County commission head use position to help along possible Sheetz in Waterford? Did Oakland County commission head use position to help along possible Sheetz in Waterford?

The proposed Sheetz gas station location had been planned for right next to the Oakland County airport. The property owner asked the county for an easement onto county property.

Between here and where the proposed site would be, theres already 12 gas stations, four on that same exact side of the road. The last thing Waterford would need is another gas station. When it comes to Oakland County, we rank number two in the most gas stations, said Tony Attisha, a Waterford resident and gas station owner.

As weve been reporting, the Oakland County commission chair has confirmed that he is a paid consultant for Sheetz, which some local leaders say is unethical.

Woodward has denied that this a conflict of interest but after we started asking questions about what role he played in all of this, the county announced they will not approve the easement.

Previous report: Oakland County commission head defends Sheetz side job, denies conflict of interest Oakland Co. commission head defends Sheetz side job, denies conflict of interest

The reason they want it rezoned is because they want to put a Sheetz gas station in there. So I want to argue theres no reason. That is a high-traffic, high-volume area and youre gonna put a pig in a poke right in the middle of that mess, resident Greg Bower said.

At the planning commission meeting, one member was absent and at least three of them voted against this, resulting in a 3-3 vote. So, theyre going to have revisit this again at their meeting next month.

Web Extra: Video shows Oakland County commission chairman at meeting in Royal Oak

We tried to talk to the property owner after the meeting but so far, they are not commenting.

Hes one of the most powerful politicians in Southeast Michigan, and Oakland County Board of Commission Chair Dave Woodward has said publicly that his side job with a gas station chain is not a conflict of interest.

Watch Heather's full investigation in the video player below: Did commission head use position to help along possible Sheetz in Waterford?

But the 7 Investigators have learned that records show Woodward appears to have used his position with other county employees when it comes to a possible Waterford Sheetz location.

I'm being 100% transparent and ethical, Oakland County Commission Chair Dave Woodward told the 7 Investigators during an on-camera interview in August, as he explained that everything hes doing for his outside job is above board.

Related Video: Oakland County commission head defends Sheetz side job, denies conflict of interest Oakland Co. commission head defends Sheetz side job, denies conflict of interest

Every elected official is duty-bound to make decisions that are important in the best interest of their community and their role, and I do that as an elected official. My private business is separate from that, said Woodward.

Even though Woodward makes $82,500 as Board Chair, he also owns two companies: Woodward & Associates L.L.C. and a political consulting business.

Through his Woodward & Associates, Woodward has been appearing at public meetings on behalf of the Sheetz gas station chain. The Commission Chair can be seen in meeting video sitting next to a Sheetz real estate manager during a January Farmington Hills city council meeting. That city council voted the plan down, and now Sheetz is suing the city in Oakland County Circuit Court.

In a video provided to the 7 Investigators by people in attendance, Woodward was also spotted in February at a Royal Oak public hearing on another Sheetz development that was later approved.

Web Extra: Video shows Oakland County commission chairman at meeting in Royal Oak Web Extra: Video shows Oakland County commission chairman at meeting in Royal Oak

How much money are you getting from Sheetz, asked 7 Investigator Heather Catallo during an August 14, 2025 interview.

Im not going to discuss my private business affairs, said Woodward.

I don't think what Dave Woodward is doing is ethical, it's just not, said Waterford Township Supervisor Anthony Bartolotta.

Bartolotta says Woodward called him earlier in the summer to set up a meeting with Sheetz.

You want to get along with all your fellow elected officials in the county. So, I was open to meeting with him, said Bartolotta.

Did he say to you when he set up the meeting or at the meeting, I'm not here in my official role? asked Catallo.

No, he never said that. He never said that at all, said Bartolotta. Everybody knows who Dave Woodward is. But what shocked me is that he came as a consultant for Sheetz.

Bartolotta says Sheetz was asking about redeveloping two sites on Highland Road with a former bank and medical buildings on them, right next to the Oakland County International Airport.

The 7 Investigators have obtained the site plan that was submitted to Waterford Township for that proposed Sheetz gas station and drive-through restaurant on Highland Road. The plan has a clearly marked place where the developer added a curb cut or egress onto county property. That curb cut would link the potential Sheetz parking lot to Patterson Parkway, which is the entrance and exit road for the airport.

In order to get that curb cut, the property owner would need Oakland County to approve an easement.

My work with Sheetz or any of my clients is completely separate from my role as a County Commissioner, said Woodward.

Have you ever instructed anyone in the county to do anything related to any of the Sheetz properties? asked Catallo.

Sheetz decisions to move forward are decided at a local level. Planning, zoning, permitting, site approval, all of those things are decisions that are made at a community level. And so, I don't play a role in that, said Woodward.

But records reviewed by the 7 Investigators suggest otherwise.

Those records from late July show Oakland County Aviation Manager Cheryl Bush told another county employee that We have agreed to allow egress access to Patterson Parkway to a neighboring landlord for development of a Sheetz gas and service station.

Bush went on to say, Chairman Woodward has been a strong proponent of this, along with support from [Deputy County Executive] Sean Carlson. (Honestly, this is strongly against my better judgment but I have been overruled.)

After we reached out to Oakland County about Woodward and Carlsons alleged role in this, county leadership offered us an interview with Cheryl Bush, the county airport boss who said she had been overruled in the Sheetz deal.

It would appear that you didn't want to grant this easement, and that it was clear who was involved. So, who overruled you? asked Catallo.

At that point, I had always stood firm that I was not in favor of it, said Bush. When I said I was overruled, I think that it was probably someone above me.

Can you tell me who that was? asked Catallo.

Well, I was reporting to Sean Carlson, said Bush.

Bush said the county has historically not granted easements around the airport due to safety concerns. In fact, she says she previously denied an easement request from the same property owner for a hotel several years ago.

Trying to be good neighbors, we were willing to entertain the thoughts, but I always felt respected in my position here to hold true for what I believe would be in the best interest of safety and security for the airport, said Bush.

Woodward declined to talk to us on camera about the airport easement but told the 7 Investigators that when it comes to Sheetz, I havent been part of anything involving the county.

That does not match what Bush told us or what she told the other county employee in those records.

Has Dave Woodward talked to you at all about this project? asked Catallo.

Dave Woodward has not talked to me under any pressure on this project. I knew that Dave Woodward was interested in the project, but he has also expressed to me, always stay true to what is best for the airport, said Bush. He made introductions to the Sheetz folks.

To you? asked Catallo.

Yes said Bush.

Bush says when Woodward first talked to her about the project, he did not disclose that he was getting paid by Sheetz.

I wasn't even aware of that until months into my conversations with the property owner, said Bush.

Bush says the meetings about the Waterford site started nearly a year ago and included the Sheetz representatives early on in the process. A Sheetz spokesman has said theyd been careful to avoid a conflict of interest with Woodward, and said theyre not engaged in any business, applications, or requests before the Oakland County Board of Commissioners.

But in order to get an easement, the request would have to be approved by the Countys Airport Committee. Dave Woodward is a member of that committee, and ultimately the Board of Commissioners would have had to approve the land transaction.

Records reviewed by the 7 Investigators indicate the egress access was being discussed internally to proceed to the Airport Committee, which has not met in several months. Emails show the meetings have been consistently cancelled since early Spring.

Once the 7 Investigators started asking Oakland County officials questions about this issue last week, the county announced to us on Thursday they are not going to grant the easement.

The property is still being considered for possible re-zoning in Waterford Tuesday night. Its not clear if losing the easement approval will change the plans for the property.

Sheetz released this information to us:

The project at 6600 Highland Road has always been led by the property owner, not Sheetz. As part of Sheetzs due diligence into that property-ownerdriven process, Dave Woodwards involvement was limited to making one early introduction to Cheryl L. Bush at the airport. Dave Woodward did not participate in any meetings between Sheetz and the airport. Dave Woodward has not had any conversations with the property owner regarding the easement. There have not been any Oakland County Commission or committee meetings to discuss an easement for this site. Dave Woodward has had no role in any decision regarding an easement and would have recused himself if there had ever been a discussion.Sheetz is not engaged in any business, applications, or requests before the Oakland County Board of Commissioners, and we continue to take proactive steps to ensure there are no conflicts of interest.

The 7 Investigators reached out to the property owner as well; a representative said they had no comment.

If you have a story for Heather Catallo please email her at hcatallo@wxyz.com