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Everything you need to know about the 2026 membership transition, in one place.

If your agency received our February or March email, thank you for your patience as we stand up the new CLEMIS Authority. This page is your single resource for understanding what the transition means for your agency, what you need to do, and when. If you have questions that are not answered here, our Membership team is a phone call or email away, and we mean that literally: reach us at membership@clemisauthority.org or call (947) 813-6903. We are here to make this process straightforward for you.

Agreement Documents

Membership requires two agreements: a signature agreement (either a Participation or Subscriber Agreement depending on whether your agency participates in Authority governance) and an Order for each department.

Participation Agreement — For agencies and communities that wish to participate in Authority governance; incorporates the Main Services Agreement and Interlocal Agreement.
Public Agency Agreement — For agencies and organizations that want CLEMIS services without participating in Authority governance; incorporates the Main Services Agreement.
Order — Each department (law enforcement, fire, courts, prosecutors, code enforcement, jail, etc.) completes its own Order confirming membership tier, software, and services. A sample Order will be posted here once the form is finalized.

Your CLEMIS Services Are Not Changing

Every application your agency relies on today remains fully operational. Records Management, Computer Aided Dispatch, Jail Management, Citations, Crash Reporting, Crime Analytics, and all other CLEMIS applications continue without interruption. The same team that supports those systems is still in place. The only thing that has changed is governance: your membership now runs through the CLEMIS Authority rather than Oakland County.

If you have already received a letter from Oakland County indicating that their service agreement is ending, that letter is expected and is part of this transition. It is not a disruption. The CLEMIS Authority agreements are the continuity.

What is Changing, and Why

For nearly 60 years, CLEMIS operated as part of Oakland County government. Last year, Oakland County and CLEMIS member agencies established the CLEMIS Authority as its own independent government entity, governed directly by the member agencies it serves rather than by county administration.

That change is good news for members. It means your agency has a more direct voice in how CLEMIS operates and evolves. It also means that the Authority needs its own agreements with the communities it serves, separate from Oakland County. This is an administrative requirement of becoming an independent entity. It does not change your services, your costs, or the people supporting your agency.

To learn more about why the Authority was formed and what it means for the network, visit our home page.

What Your Agency Needs to Do

Agencies need to complete their agreements with the CLEMIS Authority. The process involves two documents: a Participation or Public Agency Agreement and an Order. This section explains what to expect so you can begin planning now.

Step 1: Participation or Public Agency Agreement

This step is for the Mayor, City Manager, Township Supervisor, Village President, County Administrator, or whoever holds authority to execute agreements on behalf of your agency or community. For courts, state agencies, and federal agencies, this is typically the same person who will also sign the Order.

Every participating agency or community signs either a Participation Agreement or a Public Agency Agreement with the CLEMIS Authority. If your agency or community wishes to participate in Authority governance, you will sign the Participation Agreement, which incorporates both the Main Services Agreement and the Interlocal Agreement. If your agency or community wants CLEMIS services, software, and data sharing without participating in governance, you will sign the Public Agency Agreement, which incorporates the Main Services Agreement only. Both documents are one-page signature covers with the incorporated agreements defining the terms and conditions.

Step 2: Your Agency's Membership Order

This step is for the Chief of Police, Sheriff, Fire Chief, Director, Court Administrator, or agency head who manages your agency's CLEMIS membership.

Each participating department executes an Order that confirms your current membership tier, your software, and the services you receive. This is your department's direct agreement with the Authority. A police department, fire department, jail, code enforcement unit, animal control office, court, or other department within the same community each signs its own Order reflecting their specific needs. For state agencies, federal agencies, and courts, the same authorized representative who signed the Participation Agreement will typically also sign the Order.

Key Dates

February 2026 — The CLEMIS Authority formally established as an independent government entity. Transition announced to all member agencies.

March 2026 — Member agencies and community authorized signatories receive introductory communications explaining the transition and what to expect.

April 2026 — Agreement documents distributed. Instructions and links will be sent directly and posted on this page.

September 30, 2026 — All agreements must be in place to ensure uninterrupted service continuity.

Common Questions

Why does my agency need to sign a new agreement if we have been a CLEMIS member for years? The CLEMIS Authority is now its own government entity, separate from Oakland County, and it requires its own agreements with the agencies and communities it serves. Your existing relationship with CLEMIS has not changed; the legal structure around it has.

Will our services be interrupted during this transition? No. All CLEMIS applications remain fully operational throughout the transition. The September 30, 2026 deadline exists to ensure continuity beyond that date.

What is the Participation Agreement? The Participation Agreement is the signature document for agencies and communities that wish to participate in Authority governance, access the Authority's services, software, and data sharing. It incorporates both the Main Services Agreement, which governs the terms and conditions of all CLEMIS memberships, and the Interlocal Agreement, which establishes the governance framework of the Authority.

What is the Public Agency Agreement? The Public Agency Agreement is the signature document for agencies and organizations that want CLEMIS services, software, and data sharing without participating in Authority governance. It incorporates the Main Services Agreement only.

What is the Interlocal Agreement, and does our community need to sign it? The Interlocal Agreement establishes your community's participation in the governance of the CLEMIS Authority, giving your community a formal voice in setting priorities and direction. It is incorporated in the Participation Agreement. It is not required for communities or organizatinos that simply want to continue receiving CLEMIS Authority services.

What is an Order, and who signs it? The Order is the agreement specific to each department, defining that department's membership type, software, and services. Each department signs its own Order: a police department, fire department, jail, code enforcement, animal control, court, prosecurtors, or other department within the same community would each have a separate Order. A department can sign an Order even if the community does not participate in Authority governance through the Interlocal Agreement.

What is the Main Services Agreement? The Main Services Agreement defines the general terms and conditions that govern all CLEMIS Authority participants and public agencies. It is not signed as a standalone document. Instead, it is incorporated in the Participation and Public Agency Agreements and applies to every department of the community or organization that executes one.

Who needs to sign, and who determines that? Two signatures are required. First, whoever holds legal authority to execute agreements on behalf of your agency or community signs the Participation or Public Agency Agreement; this is often a Mayor, City Manager, Township Supervisor, Village President, County Administrator, or equivalent. For courts, state agencies, and federal agencies, this is typically the agency head. Second, the head of each participating department signs the Order for their department. Your legal counsel can confirm the right signatories for your jurisdiction.

Does our community government need board or council approval before signing? It may. Many interlocal agreements require a board or council resolution before an authorized official can execute them. We recommend consulting your legal counsel early so that approval can be scheduled with enough time before the September 30 deadline.

Will our cost change as a result of this transition? Moving your membership to the Authority does not trigger a price change. The annual 5% pricing adjustment that was scheduled for July 1 has been extended at your current 2025 rate through September 30, 2026, giving you three additional months at the same cost. The adjustment takes effect October 1, aligned with the Authority's fiscal year.

What happens if we do not complete our agreements before September 30, 2026? Agencies that have not executed their agreements by September 30 risk interruption to their CLEMIS services. We are committed to working with every agency to complete this process well before that date. If your agency faces specific obstacles, contact us early so we can help.

We received a letter from Oakland County about their agreement ending. Should we be concerned? No. That letter is expected at the end of May and is part of the transition. It is not a disruption notice. The CLEMIS Authority agreement is the continuity of your existing services under the new governance structure.

Who do we contact if we have questions or need help? Call us at (947) 813-6903 or email membership@clemisauthority.org. You can also click the blue button Get Updates below to stay informed as the transition progresses.

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