The Ottawa County Sheriff’s Department finally will receive police body cameras, after eight years of waiting and work toward this effort.

• Ottawa will receive approximately 225 body-worn cameras, 120 in-car cameras, and supporting hardware/software

• The contract also will replace all current tasers

• It is a five-year contract for $4.65 million

• The motion passed 9–0, Commissioners Gretchen Cosby and Sylvia Rhodea were absent

In 2016, the Ottawa County Administrator’s Office said there was $1 million for moving forward with the body cameras. But the project stalled, and no movement was made until 2023. It was reported that prior boards did not support the project in the past.

“This has been a long-running project to get into place. It has been on my wish list for a long time,” Kempker said.

Kempker has thanked Board Chair Joe Moss and Vice Chair Sylvia Rhodea during multiple meetings for making body cameras a priority. The Sheriff’s Office hopes to have the cameras in use by the beginning of 2025.

This was the second reading of the policy for County Purchasing Cards.

• Summary of Request: “As part of our ongoing policy review and in response to feedback we are recommending to create a second tier with a lower purchasing limit for cardholders with lower spending needs, clarify that changes to purchase general or professional services or not allowable, updating notification of employee transfers and departure language”

• This policy tightens up the money spent by County employees

• The policy can be read by opening the packet pdf here and scrolling to page 356

• The motion passed unanimously

Implemented in 2023, Ottawa County residents can see what has been purchased by employees on the Purchasing Cards. Purchases can be seen by clicking here and then scrolling to the Finance & Administrative Committee and clicking on any of the Packets—all will provide an “Accounts Payable” section.

The Board went into closed session to discuss union negotiations for Public Health.

• The closed session lasted approximately 25 minutes

• Once the meeting was brought back to order, a motion was made: “to ratify the negotiated AFSCME Public Health collective bargaining agreement effective through December 31, 2025, and approve the necessary budget adjustments to fund from General Fund Contingency through September 30, 2024”

• The motion passed unanimously with no discussion

Ottawa County Board of Commissioners
Regular Session
August 13, 2024

Ottawa County Administration Building
12220 Fillmore Street
West Olive, MI 49460