HIGHLIGHTS + OTTAWA COUNTY
Meeting highlights—Special Meeting regarding Administrator John Gibbs
Published February 24, 2024
Written by Adams
Photography by Simply American
“Government officials must serve and implement the will of the people at the direction of the duly elected Board of Commissioners because we live in a constitutional republic.” —Chairman Joe Moss
Ottawa County Board of Commissioners
Special Meeting
Thursday, February 22, 2024
Serving The People
The Ottawa County Board of Commissioners called a Special Meeting for February 22, 2024, to address a letter received from Administrator John Gibbs and to hear an offer of resignation and the complaints against him.
At the beginning of the meeting, Chairman Joe Moss made a statement on the duty of the Board of Commissioners and the importance of oversight.
Statement by Chairman Joe Moss
“As we continue through today’s meeting, I want to remind everybody of an important principle. Government officials must serve and implement the will of the people at the direction of the duly elected Board of Commissioners because we live in a constitutional republic. No one is exempt. No one gets a free pass. There’s no exception to this principle. This is how a republic works.
People vote for their elected leaders who are expected to make decisions on their behalf. Government bureaucracy is accountable to the people through their elected representatives. This is democracy at work. The people of Ottawa County would not be represented well if the staff within the government could operate without oversight or accountability, or if they ignored elected officials.
Government positions are not lifetime appointments. We work on behalf of the people and those at the highest levels should seek to do their duty to the highest standards. So whatever happens here today and in the future, we’re going to continue doing the work of the people because that’s what we’re responsible to do. And the principle at hand to remember is that government officials are accountable to people because we live in a constitutional republic.”
February 22, 2024 Ottawa County Board of Commissioners Special Meeting
Situation In Context
“I’d just like to start,” Moss said, “by reviewing the current situation, how we got here. The last few months have been interesting to say the least. We’ve had constant media attacks claiming the County agreed to a ginormous settlement.”
• Administrator John Gibbs, along with others, believed that the false media narrative on giving the health officer $4 million was true
• Gibbs’ relationship with the Board seemed to become more strained during the Hambley hearing
• Even though Moss had “pretty normal interactions” with Gibbs, Board members began to come forward in December and January about concerns they had
• Before the first Board meeting of 2024, Moss sat down with Gibbs to discuss the complaints and concerns from the Board
• From that discussion, Gibbs drafted a letter of resignation and a recommendation letter for Moss to sign
• Gibbs decided not to pursue the resignation and the Board went back to focusing on doing the business of the people, as they’re there to do
A letter from Gibbs’ attorney
• At the surprise of the Board, a letter arrived on January 15, 2024, from Butzel Long, a law firm representing Gibbs
• On February 13, 2024, the Board hired Brook J. Bisonet to provide legal services in connection with the letter received from Butzel Long
• Brook J. Bisonet reached out to Butzel Long only to find out they were no longer representing Gibbs
• Gibbs hired a new attorney from Ann Arbor, Hurwitz Law
• Thursday, February 15, 2024, Hurwitz Law communicated that Gibbs would be willing to resign if paid $630,000, and then later that Gibbs would resign if paid $420,000
Moss noted that under the current contract, if Administrator Gibbs were terminated the payment would be around $210,000.
Administrative Leave
The next agenda item was to consider complaints against Gibbs. Moss asked Gibbs if he would prefer to go into closed session to address the complaints against him.
“Sure,” Gibbs replied.
The Board went into closed session for just over two hours. Upon their return—knowing that elected officials must hold County employees to the highest standards—the Board voted on two motions.
1. A motion was made to place Administrator Gibbs on administrative leave. The motion passed 10–1, with Commissioner Doug Zylstra voting no.
2. A motion was made to recess until next week. The motion passed unanimously.
The Ottawa County Board of Commissioners continue to uphold the duties they were elected to perform, which include oversight of County employees. This is how a constitutional republic functions.
Meeting
Ottawa County Board of Commissioners
Special Meeting
February 22, 2024
Location
Ottawa County Administration Building
12220 Fillmore Street
West Olive, MI 49460
