HIGHLIGHTS + OTTAWA COUNTY
Meeting highlights—Recovery Court anniversary celebration, commissioner causes confusion, and the 2024 Ottawa County Apportionment Report
Published October 9, 2024
Written by Adams
Photography by Simply American
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.
Ottawa County Board of Commissioners
Regular Session
Tuesday, October 8, 2024
“Changing Behaviors, Changing Lives”
Coordinator Andrew Brown came to give an update on the Ottawa County Recovery Court after celebrating the 20th anniversary on October 3, 2024.
• The Ottawa County Recovery Court (OCRC) is a voluntary, intensive probation program that accepts defendants who are residents of Ottawa County and convicted of non-violent drug/alcohol related felonies in the 20th Circuit Court
• The program is at least five times harder than regular probation—with no legal incentives, random drug tests three to five times per week, and multiple appointments weekly
• Several studies have been done to see the “the program is working” and “how it does work”
• A 2013 study by Grand Valley State University concluded that participants in the program are 73% less likely to recidivate when compared to a similar group of people assigned to traditional probation
• 2023 annual recidivism rates released by the Michigan State Board Administration Office showed a 25% reduction in recidivism
• Pre/Post comparison—comparing what’s going on with participants five years up to admission into the program, to five years following the date of discharge—they see a 64% reduction in recidivism
• The program is working and translates to 500 fewer new crimes being committed
“WHAT I REALLY LOVE ABOUT THIS MODEL,” COMMISSIONER SYLVIA RHODEA SAID, “IS THAT YOU WALK THROUGH LIFE WITH THEM FOR AN EXTENDED PERIOD OF TIME AND HELP THEM IMPLEMENT THOSE TOOLS, GIVE THEM HOPE, GIVE THEM ACCOUNTABILITY, BELIEVE IN THEM, LOVE ON THEM. I JUST THINK THAT’S REALLY GREAT. THEY ARE NOT ON THEIR OWN.”
• The program is solely grant funded and over the 20 years has brought in $9 million
• Ottawa County Recovery Court has requested funding help from the County previously and they were rejected
• In the 20 years of the program, there were two years (2013 & 2014) that were $20,000 short of grant funding and the Board of Commissioners denied the funds to the program
The Ottawa County Recovery Court has many unique partnerships to help with the success of the program.
Recovery Court update, Ottawa County Board of Commissioners meeting, October 8, 2024.
“TO BE IN RECOVERY, TO BE SUCCESSFUL IN RECOVERY, TO SUSTAIN THAT RECOVERY—IT’S BEING IN COMMUNITY WITH OTHER PEOPLE THAT ARE WALKING A SIMILAR JOURNEY.” —ANDREW BROWN, RECOVERY COURT COORDINATOR
Commissioner Caused Confusion
During the motion to Approve the Agenda, Commissioner Doug Zylstra wanted to add a discussion item for the work-to-date of the Executive Transition Committee.
• Discussion about the motion quickly turned into a debate
• “It wasn’t on the agenda today because it wasn’t time, because it hasn’t come back from the committee yet,” Chairman Joe Moss said
• The committee has sent updates via email to the full Board
• Commissioner Allison Miedema asked if questions could be sent to the Executive Transition Committee as to what information was needed. The meetings have been public, so all commissioners have had the opportunity to see what is happening.
• Zylstra, who has expressed publicly his dislike of the Executive Transition Committee, had a question about whether the Purchasing Policy had been broken
• Moss reminded Zylstra that Corporate Council is “highly available” at all times and that Zylstra could avoid “creating chaos” in a Board meeting by asking Corporate Council a simple question
• After many minutes of debate, Commissioner Roger Bergman Called to Question
• There was so much confusion and chaos that when the clerk started to take the vote, Commissioner Kendra Wenzel had to ask what was being voted on
• In the confusion, Zylstra realized he had voted wrong and had to change his vote
• The motion failed 5-5, with Commissioner Gretchen Cosby absent
Reports And Updates
Ottawa County Apportionment Report
The 2024 Ottawa County Apportionment Report can be read here, starting on page 476.
Administrator Report
• Interim Administrator Jon Anderson has agreed to stay on until the end of the year, or beyond, based on the success of the Administrator search
• Anderson is committed to prioritizing the work of the County and will ensure all responsibilities are met
• Yesterday was the one-year anniversary of Israel and there are still just over 100 hostages
• Public Defender Nichole Derks has accepted a position in Kent County
• The search for a new Public Defender will begin soon
The Board then took a moment of silence for Israel, those who have been held hostage and those who have been murdered.
Talent & Recruitment Chairwoman’s Update
• The County is taking applications for many seats on County boards and committees
• Check current listings of openings here
• Thank you to those who already give their time to serve the citizens on boards and committees
Chairman’s Update
• The Executive Transition Committee has begun the process of finding a new Administrator
• The committee has reviewed a lot of information, the videos are all public and can found here
• The committee has engaged a firm called W Talent Solutions, which is performing a third-party process
• W Talent Solutions’ contract is going through the normal contract process and being examined by legal
• There is a $5,000 retainer fee that will be rolled into W Talent Solutions’ fee once there is a successful search
• The Board will continue to receive updates from the Executive Transition Committee
With a short meeting in the books, the 20-year anniversary celebration of the Ottawa County Recovery Court shows that Ottawa County is truly a blessed county with great programs.
Meeting
Ottawa County Board of Commissioners
Regular Session
October 8, 2024
Location
Ottawa County Administration Building
12220 Fillmore Street
West Olive, MI 49460