Ottawa County
Meeting highlights—Action taken on controversial contract and Gibbs’ settlement
It was a meeting where seats were shuffled, lines were drawn, and the settlement was exposed.
Meeting highlights—Board Rules finalized
Unlike last week’s almost 10-hour meeting to determine Board Rules, the January 14, 2025, Board of Commissioners meeting completed the discussion and the vote to put in place the amended Board Rules—and it happened in just about an hour.
Meeting highlights—Organizational Meeting continues
Part 2 of the Organizational Meeting continued for nearly 10 hours with robust discussion and appointment of an Interim County Administrator.
Meeting highlights—First Board Meeting of 2025
The 2025–2028 Board of Commissioners is sworn into office.
Meeting highlights—Search for County Administrator sabotaged
Top County Administrator candidate withdraws due to intimidation.
Meeting highlights—Recovery Court anniversary celebration, commissioner causes confusion, and the 2024 Ottawa County Apportionment Report
On Tuesday, October 8, 2024, the Board of Commissioners received an update on the 20th anniversary celebration for Ottawa County Recovery Court. With a little manufactured confusion in the middle, the meeting ended smoothly with the 2024 Ottawa County Apportionment Report and a couple of updates.
$35 trillion in debt
“I am not among those who fear the people. They, and not the rich, are our dependance for continued freedom. And, to preserve their independence, we must not let our rulers load us with perpetual debt.” — Thomas Jefferson, 1816
Meeting highlights—FY2025 Budget Resolution and Executive Transition Committee Resolution
On Tuesday, September 24, 2024, the Board of Commissioners passed the FY2025 Budget, minus a $900,000 Covid grant, and moved forward on the search for a permanent County Administrator by passing the Executive Transition Committee Resolution.
Meeting highlights—Public hearing, Recovery Court, Life Saving Awards, and permanent administrator hiring
Tuesday, September 10, 2024, was a busy day at the Ottawa County Board of Commissioners meeting. A celebratory resolution, awards, and a public hearing for the budget with no concerns from the public made for a positive day.
Meeting highlights—Body camera contract, Purchasing Card Policy, and closed session for Public Health collective bargaining agreement
On Tuesday, August 13, 2024, the Ottawa County Board of Commissioners unanimously approved a contract with Axon for body cameras, in-car cameras, and tasers.
Meeting highlights—Two policy approvals, board/committee appointments, and correction of constitutional misinformation
The Board of Commissioners meeting on Tuesday, July 23, 2024, was calm and productive.
Meeting highlights—Commissioner attempts to censor public comment
The July 9, 2024, Board of Commissioners meeting had a full agenda but started with an outburst by Commissioner Roger Bergman. After a quick break and an explanation of the First Amendment right to free speech, the meeting continued.
