Mayor Barnett highlights championship season at State of the City
Rochester Hills, MI - The championship-energy of Rochester Hills was on full display Thursday night as Mayor Bryan K. Barnett delivered his annual State of the City address before a packed auditorium at Stoney Creek High School. The presentation was aided by cheerleaders, a dance team, and marching band with 100 members.

Framed around the theme of "The Big Game," Mayor Barnett celebrated the community's long-standing culture of excellence and a 42-year track record of success.

The highlight of the address was the announcement that Rochester Hills has been named the #7 Best Place to Live in America and the #1 Best Place to Live in Michigan for the second consecutive year by U.S. News & World Report.

“We are proud to have built a culture of hard work, persistence, and continuous improvement,” said Mayor Barnett. “To be recognized as the #7 best place to live in the entire nation is a testament to our dedicated City team, public safety professionals, and engaged residents who make this community elite.”

Mayor Barnett highlighted the city's unwavering fiscal responsibility, announcing that Rochester Hills continues to operate its $245-million budget with zero debt while investing over $40 million in capital projects this year alone.

The city also maintains the third lowest tax rate among Oakland County cities with populations over 5,000, bolstered by new competitive grants for traffic and pedestrian safety.

Key highlights from the address included:
● Recognized as the safest city in Michigan for its size by the FBI, with the Fire Department receiving the 2026 Mission: Lifeline EMS Gold Award and expanding staff by 12 firefighter/paramedics following strong voter support of an additional millage.
● Welcomed 40 new businesses this year while maintaining a low 6.7% commercial vacancy rate and being named the #2 regional engineering hub in the Midwest by Livability.
● Recorded 1.8 million park visits in 2025 and broke ground on the 40-acre Nowicki Park that will feature trails, boardwalks, playground, community building, and the City’s first dog park.

The event concluded with the presentation of the Community Excellence Award to the Rochester Avon Recreation Authority (RARA), accepted by Executive Director Dave Word. RARA is an important community partner, connecting with residents through a variety of unique programs and events.

At the heart of their services is inclusive recreation. They offer a wide array of adaptive services like Coffee Club and the transformative SCAMP summer camp, providing specialized recreation where children and adults with special needs take center stage as star players.

This year, RARA will provide over 700 unique and diverse programs, serving over 12,000 community members in the Rochester Hills area.

“We are deeply honored to receive the Community Excellence Award,” said Word. “This recognition is a testament to our team's dedication to creating inclusive recreation opportunities and building strong community partnerships that bring residents together.”

Rochester Hills Public Library Director Juliane Morian said the Rochester Hills State of the City Address is a “can’t miss event” every year.

“The State of the City is so unique here in Rochester Hills,” she said. “It engages a huge cross-section of our community in such an innovative and exciting way. It’s impossible to leave without an immense sense of pride in living and working here.”

To watch the State of the City in its entirety, visit youtube.com/rochesterhillstv.

About the City of Rochester Hills
Established in 1984, the City of Rochester Hills is a prosperous community offering residents and businesses superior services. Voted one of the top places to live by several sources including CNN Money magazine, Rochester Hills is committed to sustaining its position among the nation’s preeminent places to live, work and raise a family. Through the city’s focus on health, education, and technology, the community continues to attract forward-thinking leaders and businesses.