Meeting highlights—Millage ballot language approved
On the last day of April 2026, the Board of Commissioners debated whether to keep tax increases off the ballot or to add them so that residents can choose more taxes if they want them.
Meeting highlights—Committees discuss compensation, a millage, and a fee on trash
On Tuesday, April 14, 2026, commissioners met to consider money to be spent on compensation and money to be brought in through taxation.
Meeting highlights—A new position for Legal Services
With adjournment not happening until 11 pm, the March 24, 2026, Board of Commissioners meeting was a five-hour event. In that time, commissioners discussed a Department of Legal Services and Plan of Organization, and board seats were filled.
Meeting highlights—Committees examine legal support, Road Commission addresses gravel roads
On Tuesday, March 10, 2026, Board committees considered a prior legal counsel structure and a change in the pre-approval of contracts. The Road Commission visited with a winter update.
Meeting highlights—CMH to become a separate Authority
On Thursday, February 27, 2025, the Board of Commissioners voted to begin transitioning CMH to an Authority and revisited the conversation regarding a partnership with the controversial Michigan Association for Local Public Health.
Meeting highlights—Budgets and beaches
Finance & Administration Committee votes through a Work Together Agreement with Consumers Energy. Planning & Policy approves project to restore North Ottawa Dunes.
Meeting highlights—Ottawa County Parks plan moves forward
The Board of Commissioners met on the blustery Tuesday evening of January 27, 2026, to ratify contracts and agreements as well as address public safety concerns.
Meeting highlights—Reports included impending Supreme Court review of MI property tax and CDC vaccine changes
On Tuesday, January 20, 2026, the Finance & Administration and Planning & Policy Committees met to appoint their Vice Chairs and receive department updates.
Meeting highlights—Board Rules amended and CMH public hearings scheduled
On January 13, over the course of seven hours, the commissioners met to discuss the 2026 Board Rules and a plan to convert the Community Mental Health Department to a separate Authority.
Meeting highlights—Changing of the guard
With the start of a new year, the Board of Commissioners gathered on January 2 for the annual Organizational Meeting, appointing a new chair and vice chair for 2026.
Meeting highlights—Prioritizing public perception
On Thursday, December 18, the Board of Commissioners met for the final meeting of the year, deliberating on the process to consider whether CMH should become an independent authority.
Meeting highlights—Committees consider the merits of two commissions: Housing & Officers Compensation
On December 9, 2025, the Planning & Policy Committee discussed how to tackle the county’s housing situation, while Finance & Administration sought legal counsel when prior meeting minutes were missing.
Meeting highlights—Burying the hatchet, but not before taking several swings
During the November 25, 2025, Board of Commissioners meeting, the Chair and Vice Chair spoke of personal campaign platforms and year-long efforts focused on exposing Commissioner Moss’ “overreach” of dismantling DEI and protecting kids from the mandates of the Health Department. Now their “work” is done.
Meeting highlights—Should the County Use Taxpayer Dollars to Pay Rent to Landlords for Eviction Prevention?
On November 11, 2025, the committees met to learn about watersheds and easements, discuss funding and policy for eviction prevention programs, and to wish Interim County Deputy Administrator Gary Rosema well as he completed his final day of service.
Meeting highlights—Take ground and hold it
October 28, 2025—It was a meeting where paths to make the County more transparent, more locally resourced, and more aligned with the federal government were offered but not explored.
Meeting highlights—Updates from Public Health, CMH, and Treasurer
On Tuesday, October 14, 2025, the Committees met to hear department updates and debate Board protocol for new job positions.
Meeting highlights—Board votes on Administrator contract and two lawsuit settlements, discusses vendor with drag queen event for kids
The Board of Commissioners met Tuesday evening, September 23, 2025, to tweak the new Administrator’s employment contract and to consider two lawsuit settlements.
Meeting highlights—County Administrator chosen, but not unanimously
On Friday, September 12, 2025, the search that has had stops and starts and restarts came to an end. Candidate Patrick Waterman received the majority vote, 7–4.
Meeting highlights—Commissioner expenses and crime reports, plus County Administrator interviews
Even with a power outage shortly after the start of the Planning and Policy Committee meeting, commissioners forged ahead with updating policies and listening to department and committee reports.
Meeting highlights—Public Hearing for FY2026 Budget and final preparations for County Administrator interviews
On September 2, 2025, the Board of Commissioners held a Public Hearing so that community members could weigh in on the proposed budget for FY2026. No citizen chose to weigh in. So, the Board moved on to discussing the County Administrator interviews.
Meeting highlights—Board approves vendor subverting Trump Administration and selects County Administrator finalists
The Board of Commissioners discuss a vendor subverting the Trump Administration and vote to move five applicants to interview for County Administrator.
Meeting highlights—Board committees continue to work through the FY26 budget proposal
At the August 12, 2025 Board committee meetings, progress of the FY26 Budget proposal was shared, as well as updates on how the Parks, Community Action Agency, and Health and Human Services departments are out in the community working for the residents of Ottawa County.
Meeting highlights—Presentation of the Capital Improvement Plan and FY26 Operating Budget proposals
On Tuesday, August 5, 2025, a Special Meeting was called for the Board of Commissioners to discuss and give input on the proposed allocations of County funding.
Meeting highlights—Vote split 7–4 to eliminate county motto ‘Where Freedom Rings’
On July 22, 2025, the boardroom held a large crowd that gave public comment about the agenda item to eliminate the county motto, “Where Freedom Rings.”
