Meeting Notes 1-27-26
Meeting Notes from the January 27 Meeting of the Ottawa County Board of Commissioners
Meeting Packet: https://boards.miottawa.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/01272026-BOC-Agenda-Packet.pdf
Meeting Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D1cpgmG49Gs&pp=0gcJCZEKAYcqIYzv
ONN Tweet: https://x.com/ONNLeach/status/2016292474080395308?s=20
Sentinel Meeting Roundup:
Sheriff’s Office Scheduling Software: The Board approved the contract with Neogov for scheduling software at a cost of $89,245.30.
Flooring Replacement: The Board approved the contract with River City Flooring to replace the gym flooring in Juvenile Detention and Juvenile Justice Institute for a total of $110,741.
Digital Evidence Management: The Board approved the 5-year agreement with Axon Justice to allow the Public Defender's Office to purchase and use the Evidence.com software for the management of digital evidence at a cost of $270,031.20.
Architecture and Engineering Services: The Board approved the contract with Fishbeck for architecture and engineering services related to the employee relocation remodel at the Grand Haven Courthouse for a total of $222,500.00.
FY2026 Budget Adjustments: The Board approved the FY2026 budget adjustments per the attached schedule:
2026 Ottawa County Parks, Recreation, and Open Space Plan: The Board approved the Resolution accepting the 2026 Ottawa County Parks, Recreation, and Open Space Plan as submitted by the Parks and Recreation Commission.
Eastmanville Connecter Segment Grant: The Board approved the Michigan Department of Natural Resources Trust Fund grant agreement and Resolution for the Eastmanville Segment of the Idema Explorers Trail in the amount of $400,000; to authorize an increase in the budget for Capital Project 2210 to $1,695,982 with funding from the grant, Parks Millage and the Parks Foundation; and to authorize the Parks Director to take such actions as are necessary to implement the intent of the Commission in these matters.
Eastmanville Connector Segment Engineering: The Board approved the professional services contract amendment in the amount of $95,414.78 with Prein & Newhof Engineers for the Eastmanville Connector Segment of the Idema Explorers Trail.
Hawthorn Pond/Middle Mac Interagency Maintenance Agreement: The Board approved the Hawthorn Pond/Middle Macatawa Interagency Maintenance Agreement and authorize the Parks Director to sign and take such actions as are necessary to implement the intent of the Commission in these matters.
Allendale Segment of the Idema Explorers Trail: The Board approved the easement agreement with Spring Valley Church for the Allendale Segment of the Idema Explorers Trail at a cost of $9,198 and authorize the Parks Director to take such actions as are necessary to implement the intent of the Commission in these matters.
Grose Park Playground: The Board approved the Grose Park playground removal and replacement bid from Play Environments Design LLC for $89,000.
Post-Execution Ratification of Contracts: The Board ratified the list of Post-Execution Contracts as shown below:
Deputy County Administrator Employment Agreement: The Board approved the Employment Agreement for Deputy County Administrator Brian Dissette.
Commissioner Comment:
My comment for Commissioner Comment as follows:
This nation was founded on the principle of freedom, and especially on the idea that its citizens should be free from the arbitrary and excessive use of government power.
Those principles are not abstract—they are meant to guide our actions, especially during moments of tension and uncertainty.
Recent events in Minneapolis raise serious concerns about whether those standards are being consistently upheld, and they deserve careful reflection at all levels of government.
I urge our federal partners to proceed with restraint, transparency, and respect for constitutional boundaries, and to safeguard the civil liberties and due-process rights that are foundational to our democracy. Doing so is essential not only to maintaining public trust, but to ensuring that freedom, accountability, and public safety are preserved for everyone.
