On Monday, September 8, five finalists were interviewed by the Citizen Work Group. On Wednesday they were interviewed again by the Board of Commissioners.

Patrick Waterman was the only candidate who previously worked for the County and resigned, so some of the questioning during his interviews were centered around the reasons for his departure. During the commissioner interviews, Commissioner Joe Moss asked Waterman why he’d left the County shortly after the DEI Department was closed, and why his current job description with the City of Wyoming listed him as a “Champion of DEI.” Also during that interview, Commissioner Allison Miedema mentioned having a lack of trust in Waterman from his previous stint at the County.

The other four candidates, Paul Sachs, Matthew Farrar, Kurt Dykstra, and Chris Kukulski had all received similar questioning on both days of interviews.

With all commissioners present, the meeting opened with Commissioner Joe Moss leading a prayer not only for wisdom for the Board but for comfort and encouragement for those impacted by the recent deaths of Charlie Kirk and those in Colorado and Minneapolis, as well as by the tragedy of 9/11.

Following the invocation, the floor was opened for commissioners to share comments prior to casting their ballot.

• Moss began by sharing his thoughts on each of the five candidates. He mentioned that two of the candidates, Matthew Farrar and Chris Kukulski, had the greatest work experience leading large organizations, 180,000 and 117,000 respectively. Additionally, he thought Kurt Dykstra would lead well, but that Patrick Waterman only had led about 7,000 in Hudsonville—which meant it was a small unit of government. And Paul Sachs, while he enjoyed working with him at the County, lacked in direct, top-level experience.

• Commissioners Doug Zylstra, Jim Barry, Phil Kuyers, Jim Brugger, Jordan Jorritsma, Jacob Bonnema, and John Teeples shared similar comments about Waterman being the top candidate—that he could hit the ground running because of his previous time at the County and how hiring him would bring unity. While they commended the quality of the other candidates, none of them left any doubt that Waterman was the one each would choose.

• Kuyers also said that different employees had encouraged him to vote for Waterman.

• Responding to Kuyers, Miedema said that while employee opinions matter, those who are in the minority don’t always feel comfortable sharing. She said that although she respected the relationship that some of the commissioners have with Waterman and that he is a hard worker, she would like for the Board to come together. Miedema was willing to support any of the four if the Waterman supporters would consider one of other candidates.

• Commissioner Sylvia Rhodea talked about the tough times our county and nation have gone through with weak leadership. “Those who did nothing during those times or promoted a dangerous ideology should no longer lead our communities. Where there are candidates with excellence and merit who have not promoted these things, they should be promoted.”

• A charge was given by Rhodea to the rest of the Board: We have a choice today to either continue down the problematic path of sympathy with progressivism, which has led to a really difficult environment here for all employees, or chart a new course together… There are four excellent candidates… with excellent educational backgrounds and extensive and relevant professional experience. Each one of those candidates could bring this board together in unity.”

• Commissioner Kendra Wenzel spoke of the many emails she’d received speaking against Waterman. She read one email from a constituent who’d dealt with Waterman during his time as the Administrator in Hudsonville. The constituent claimed Waterman lacked integrity and honesty.

• Commissioner Jacob Bonnema pointed out how Waterman had handled himself under Moss’s questioning Wednesday. Bonnema seemed to denigrate the focus on DEI saying that at the end of the day, it is the Board’s vision the Administrator will execute. “DEI does not exist in Ottawa County without it being in our strategic plan. It’s been tried and it fell short. Money was spent on it. The evidence was not there to support its value. It’s not coming back.”

• Commissioner Jordan Jorritsma agreed with Miedema that unity would be “fantastic.” He said the four commissioners not wanting Waterman were clearly asking the rest of them to change their vote to unify with them. So, “in the name of unity” he asked that those four commissioners change their vote to unify with the rest. He didn’t understand why the burden of unity was one-sided. He said he found Patrick to be “eminently qualified.”

• Commissioner Doug Zylstra said they were told to choose one candidate, and Waterman is the one.

• Miedema read comments from the Citizen Work Group, noting that the members were outside “the emotions and business of the Board,” and tasked to make “authentic observations.” Waterman had risen to the top with concerns. Apprehensions included that he left his position at the County due to the overwhelm of politics and could leave again; uncertainty whether he would have innovative ideas for problem solving; his appearing professional but not dynamic, not self-assured; and whether he could make a transition that would benefit all staff and commissioners. In contrast, comments on Farrar said that he has a strong understanding of short and long-term grant funded positions; understands fiscal responsibility; gave many tangible examples from his experiences; supports the business and industrial communities; communicates well and thoughtfully; has a strong understanding of local government dynamics; is a great teacher and listener with self discipline; and will hit the ground running.

• Without responding to Miedema, Chair John Teeples bemoaned how since he took office he’d been working to unify the Board and fix problems. He claimed Moss’s “personal attacks” on Waterman during the interview brought “dishonor” to the Board and county. He added that he’d worked with Waterman for over twelve years and would “defend him all day long.”

• Moss thought it should be stated for the record that his questions during the interview were not personal attacks but rather facts and questions. “When I asked him about his job description and he claimed it was an error and he didn’t know about it, I was asking about the fact that his job description says, ‘Champion of DEI.’ I wanted to know if he could address that fact…These are questions. These are the type of things I look for in leadership… Facts and questions are not personal attacks just because the subject matter offends you. Disagreement does not equal hate. Disagreement of opinion does not equal personal attack… To continue to say that these are personal attacks is a narrative.”

• Without comment or acknowledgement of Moss’s rebuttal, Chair Teeples asked, “Mr. Clerk, can you pass out the ballots?”

The commissioners completed their ballots, and the results were as follows:

Commissioner Rhodea: Matthew Farrar
Commissioner Miedema: Matthew Farrar
Commissioner Moss: Matthew Farrar
Commissioner Wenzel: Matthew Farrar
Commissioner Barry: Patrick Waterman
Commissioner Zylstra: Patrick Waterman
Commissioner Jorritsma: Patrick Waterman
Commissioner Bonnema: Patrick Waterman
Commissioner Brugger: Patrick Waterman
Commissioner Kuyers: Patrick Waterman
Chairperson Teeples: Patrick Waterman

Patrick Waterman received 7 votes; Matthew Farrar received 4.

The next vote was for the Chair to enter into contract negotiations with Patrick Waterman and to bring back to the Board the offer of employment contract for consideration and eventual ratification.

Those voting yes: Commissioners Phil Kuyers, Jim Barry, Jacob Bonnema, Doug Zylstra, Jordan Jorritsma, Josh Brugger, and John Teeples.

Those voting no: Commissioners Joe Moss, Sylvia Rhodea, Kendra Wenzel, and Allison Miedema.

The motion passed.

At the close of the meeting, while a few commissioners spoke of being ready to start fresh, thankful for the process, and thankful for the work of those who contributed to the interviews, Wenzel voiced her disappointment in the decision. “I’m saddened. We had a chance to heal our county. Seven people chose not to heal our county. There were individuals that didn’t have ‘either side as a friend,’ as the Chair said. It would have been individuals that came in with a clean state, with us and with our entire staff. And you guys chose not to heal our county.”

Rhodea shared how over the past decade our country has been led by weak leaders who prioritize power. She fears the trend is continuing but hopes to be proven wrong. Either way she is committed to ongoing accountability to our community’s values.

Though the ending portion of the meeting was somewhat somber with four commissioners outvoted on someone they distrust and find less qualified, and seven commissioners disappointed at their inability to pull off a unified vote, hope was offered in a couple of commissioners’ closing comments.

Rhodea said she’s encouraged by America’s young people. They are wrestling with ideas, with policy, and with their faith. They are grounded and “man, do we need some of that.” She added, “I especially want to encourage our young people to engage in the public square. Your courage and your conviction are greatly needed in our community and in our nation.”

And from Miedema: “Today is a new day. It’s the day that the Lord’s has made, and we should rejoice and be glad in it. It’s a privilege to be here in this seat. I’m grateful to serve. Today is a new day that the Lord has made.”

September 12, 2025 Ottawa County Board of Commissioners Special Meeting.

Ottawa County Board of Commissioners
Special Meeting
September 12, 2025

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