2024 began without fanfare for the Board of Commissioners at the January 16, 2024 meeting. Agenda items focused on new budget software, committee adjustments, the hiring of outside counsel, and annual reports.

The Ottawa County Board of Commissioners chose to use $39,742,630 of the ARPA funds for lost revenue. But, according to the January 25, 2022 and May 24, 2022 Board minutes, the Board only approved $31,712,572 in public meetings.

The Board of Commissioners unanimously voted for Commissioner Joe Moss as Chair and Commissioner Sylvia Rhodea as Vice-Chair for 2024.

“I hope to foster a positive change, amplify the voices of everyday citizens in Ottawa County, and to uphold the oath of office.” —Kendra Wenzel, December 8, 2023, Public Interview

In March of 2021, Ottawa County found out it would be receiving $56.6 million in funding from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA). This federal funding was a Covid-19 relief package intended to address the economic impacts of the pandemic and ensure a strong and equitable recovery.

On November 16, 2023, Commissioner Kyle Terpstra resigned from the Ottawa County Board of Commissioners. According to Michigan Law 46.412 and Board Rule 2.6, the office shall be filled by appointment within 30 days by the Board. In the name of transparency, the Board held public interviews of five candidates at a Special Meeting on Friday, December 8, 2023.

Two and a half hours, three motions, and a good faith step by the Board of Commissioners sum up Day 6.

"We do not need to know the beginning of a child’s story to change the ending." —Judge Paul Kraus, 20th Circuit Court, Family Division.

Lisa Uganski, from the Ottawa County Department of Public Health, showed up at the Board of Commissioners meeting on Tuesday, November 21, 2023. Inadvertently, she shed the light of truth on what Ottawa Food is and why two seasonal programs suddenly are suspended. Attending his first board meeting as the new Deputy Director, Ben Wetmore brought facts about Ottawa Food, countering the misinformation local media continues to dole out to the Ottawa County citizens.

27% of Ottawa County residents made their voices heard in the November 7, 2023 election. Citizens of Coopersville, Ferrysburg, Grand Haven, Holland, Hudsonville, Jamestown, and Zeeland made their way to the polls on Tuesday to exercise their right to vote.

Ten hours, two witnesses, 500 pages, commissioner discussion, and the first round of public comment—day two of Adeline Hambley’s termination hearing is on the books.

October 24, 2023, started as any other Board of Commissioners meeting would, with the invocation and the Pledge of Allegiance. The difference was that the room was set up like a courtroom. After listening to the first eight witnesses from the defense, one might wonder whom the hearing was for, Administrator John Gibbs or Adeline Hambley.