On May 22, 1984, the Electorate of Avon Charter Township voted to become a Home Rule City, the City of Rochester Hills, effective at noon, Tuesday, November 20, 1984.

The legislative power of the city, except as reserved by City Charter, is vested in a Council of seven Members elected on a non-partisan basis. Four of the Council Members are elected on a District basis; three Members are elected at-large. The Council has the power and authority to adopt such ordinances and resolutions as it shall deem proper in the exercise of its powers.

The executive and administrative powers of the City, except as otherwise provided by City Charter, are vested in, and exercised by the Mayor and the administrative officers, boards and commissions prescribed or permitted to be created by City Charter. The Mayor is the administrative and executive head of the City and is directly elected by City voters.

Avon Township, Rochester Hills' predecessor, was organized in 1835, two years before Michigan became a State, as a general law township. In August 1978, the Township of Avon became a Charter Township. As a charter township, Avon had the right to levy five (5) mills annually for operating purposes without obtaining specific voter approval. The City of Rochester Hills Charter provides for a levy of up to five (5) mills annually for operating purposes.

Rochester Hills, comprised of 32.2 square miles, is situated in the east central portion of Oakland County. Present population is estimated at 62,000. Professional and skilled workers are predominant in the community. Many retirees call Rochester Hills "home". The average home value is $140,000. The employment base in the city jumped from 7,262 in 1980 to 20,200 in 1990. The populace is well-educated, interested in community and civic affairs, proud of their homes and the municipality in which they live.

There is a wide range of homes in the City. Some of the older residential areas over the past 8 to 10 years have been upgraded by the installation of drainage facilities, municipal water and sewer and rehabilitation of individual homes. New development is of excellent quality and the City is ideally suited for the continuation of high quality growth.

Rochester Hills is a zoned community and has a Master Land Use Plan which has been implemented for its orderly development. In 1965, Avon Township adopted a Water and Sewer Capital Improvements Program. Phased construction has been undertaken to provide municipal water and sewer service to all sections of the City. Pursuant to the adoption of a Master Storm Drainage Plan in 1968, construction of twelve (12) storm relief drains has been completed and currently engineering is being finalized preparatory to installation of additional drains.

A wide variety of industries, such as computer technology, electronic research, development and manufacturing, plastic injection molding, tool and die, precision machine tool fabrication, structural engineering, warehousing and distribution have chosen Rochester Hills as their corporate headquarters.

Rochester and Avondale Community Schools provide quality K-12 education. College curriculum is available at Rochester College (formerly Michigan Christian College) (located in the City), Oakland University (located partially in the City) and Oakland Community College (located just outside of the City). All educational levels, through doctoral programs, are available.

Recreational facilities, e.g. tennis, golf, skiing, swimming, jogging, bicycling, boating or fishing are within easy reach at municipally supported parks. The Rochester Hills Museum at Van Hoosen Farm in historic Stoney Creek Village, Meadow Brook Hall, Meadow Brook Music Festival, Yates Cider Mill founded in 1863, a full service library, over 25 churches and a pedestrian/pathway system the length and breadth of the city are but a few of Rochester Hills features.

Rochester Hills municipal offices, a 2-level structure situated on a bluff overlooking the Clinton River, blends its unique architecture with the natural habitat of an 85-acre site. The 39,000 square foot building, occupied since June of 1980, houses all City offices and a 144-seat auditorium.

The Fire Department provides protection for our residents and visitors relating to Fire and Emergency Medical Services. The department is staffed by 24 full time Firefighter/Paramedics, 70 Paid on Call Firefighter/EMT's and operate a varity of Firefightering Vehicles along with 5 ambulances. The department also operates its own Communications Center providing 911 answering point for landline calls. The Communication Center also dispatches all calls for Fire and EMS related Emergencies. For more detailed information on the different divisions within the fire department including the administrative staff, visit the Fire Department Section under City Services.

Around-the-clock police protection is provided by contract with Oakland County -- fifty-nine officers at present are assigned to the Rochester Hills contingent of the Oakland County Sheriff's Office and occupy the Sheriff's Substation at 750 Barclay Circle. Crittenton Hospital, a 290-bed, full service facility located in the City, provides health care with 24 hour emergency service.

Rochester Hills' 240 full-time employees, 7-member Council and its full-time Mayor are dedicated to providing thorough, cost-effective municipal services to all City residents.