Young residents urge Auburn Hills council to create youth leadership commission

Two members of the public urged the Auburn Hills City Council to create a youth leadership commission to increase participation by 18–29-year-olds in local government.

Anthony Barish, who identified himself as a longtime Auburn Hills resident and a member of the Tax Increment Finance Authority, told the council that the perspectives of the next generation are largely missing from local decision-making and asked council to "create a youth leadership commission in Auburn Hills so we can begin using this underutilized resource." He cited comparable initiatives in Rochester Hills, East Lansing and Livonia and said roughly "1 in 3 adults in Auburn Hills are between the ages of 18 and 29."

Marion Bremer also spoke in favor, calling a youth commission a low-cost step to engage young residents and help retain talent. Council thanked the students for attending and said staff would review the request.