UPDATE: Bloomfield Township Supervisor Dave Payne Announces Retirement

Citing a desire to spend more time with family and other pursuits, Bloomfield Township Supervisor David Payne read his letter of resignation at the conclusion of Monday’s township board meeting, ending 41 years of service that began in the road department. He is widely believed to be the township’s longest-serving employee.

“Every point in time has its challenges,” he said as his voice quivered. “After a great deal of thought, prayer and discussion with my family and closest friends, I’ve decided this is the right time for me to retire.”

The resignation will take effect Aug. 1.

Payne’s term expires in November 2012. He said the board will have a study session next month to determine how to find a replacement and perhaps discuss potential appointees. The board legally has 45 days from Payne’s retirement to appoint a successor, township attorney Bill Hampton said.

Payne received a standing ovation from the entire board and roughly a dozen department heads and staff members in attendance.

His wife, Debbie, and daughter Michelle also attended and said they expect his adjustment to retirement to take some time.

"He’s been used to being the boss and that’s not really going to happen now," quipped Debbie, his wife of nearly 40 years. "We're so proud of him."

Payne, 60, said he expected to get emotional and that it was difficult to summarize four decades of work in just a few paragraphs.

“For 41 years, it’s very tough,” he said after getting hugs and congratulatory handshakes from other board members.

Payne joined the township in 1970 as a member of the road department while pursuing degrees in business administration and a master’s in public administration from Oakland University. Within five years he was appointed head of the road department, becoming the youngest department head in the township’s history.

He was elected township treasurer in 1996 and appointed supervisor when former Supervisor Fred Korzon retired in 1999. He was elected in 2000 and won re-election in 2004 and 2008.

Highlights of his tenure include:

• Hiring the current department heads and adding a professional planning director to guide development.
• Reorganizing staff to emphasize environmental concerns and natural preservation.
• Acquiring senior services operations from the Bloomfield Hills School District.
• Helping pass and administering a critical millage in 2006 that funded facility construction and improvements to the township campus.
• Implementing a five-year strategic plan with cost-cutting measures to help the township weather the recession.

Payne also implemented changes internally. He invested in professional team building and leadership training for top administrators.

“As you can see the staff’s all hear because we just love working for him,” said Leslie Helwig, director of community relations. “It says a lot.”

Without question, he said, the past few years have been the most difficult of his tenure due to the state’s sputtering economy.

Hampton, who has advised the township for more than 30 years, said Payne’s leadership was uncommon and essential in keeping the township fiscally on track.

“He’s been just an outstanding supervisor and showed extreme leadership during extremely challenging times," Hampton said "We’re going to miss him.”

Payne noted some satisfaction in knowing the five-year strategic plan he helped implement in 2008 led  to cost savings that did not translate into major changes in the level of service to residents.

“I’m proud of what Bloomfield Township is today and have confidence in the people who will carry on its traditions while they provide strong leadership for its future,” he said.