Meeting Notes 3-24-26
Meeting Notes from the March 24 Meeting of the Ottawa County Board of Commissioners
Meeting Packet: https://boards.miottawa.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/03242026-BOC-Agenda-Packet-1.pdf
Meeting Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iB4iyLxwhi8
ONN Tweet: https://x.com/ONNLeach/status/2036571608706367900?s=20
Sentinel Meeting Roundup:
In-House Legal Services Restructuring Proposal: The board voted to approve a restructuring plan for legal services in Ottawa County and approve the pay grade 19 salary range for the Director of Legal Affairs position created out of the plan.
I voted no on the Director of Legal Affairs position—not because the Administrator doesn’t need and deserve strong legal support, but because the Board also needs a clearly defined, direct relationship with its own counsel in order to function as the governing body.
The amendment stating that the Director does not replace corporation counsel for the Board is helpful, but it does not provide the clarity about what that role actually looks like in practice—how the Board is advised, and by whom.
Without that, I don’t think we have the certainty the Board needs to best serve the residents of Ottawa County.
Brownfield Redevelopment Assistance: The Board approved an intergovernmental agreement with Holland Charter Township for administration of brownfield redevelopment projects.
Agricultural Conservation Easement Program: The Board approved the Agricultural Conservation Easement Program agreement between Ottawa County and the United States Department of Agriculture.
Purchase of Development Rights Scoring Criteria: The Board approved the 2026 Purchase of Development Rights Scoring.
Public Health Plan of Organization: The Board the Ottawa County Department of Public Health Local Plan of Organization for Cycle 9.
Macatawa River Intercounty Drain Easements: The Board approved the Macatawa River Intercounty Drain easements associated with Hawthorn Ponds, Paw Paw Park and Adams Street Landing; and to authorize the Parks Director to take such actions as are necessary to implement the intent of the Board in this matter.
Idema Explorers Trail Bass River Segment: The Board approved the contract with NexGen Construction in the amount of $1,036,825.20 for construction of Phase One of the Bass River Segment of the Idema Explorers Trail, and to authorize the Parks Director to take all actions necessary to implement the intent of the Board in this matter.
Idema Explorers Trail Allendale Segment: The Board approved an application to the Michigan Natural Resources Trust Fund for funding assistance to construct the Allendale Segment of the Grand River Greenway, Idema Explorers Trail; to adopt the required resolution; and to authorize the Parks Director to take such actions as are necessary to implement the intent of the Commission in this matter.
Rosy Mound Expansion: The Board approved the contract with MCSA Group in the amount of $78,475.00 for design and engineering services for Phase I improvements at the Rosy Mound Expansion Area, and to authorize the Parks Director to take all actions necessary to implement the intent of the Board in this matter.
Tunnel Park Renovations: The Board approved an application to the Michigan Natural Resources Trust Fund for funding assistance on the Tunnel Park Renovation Project; to adopt the required resolution; and to authorize the Parks Director to take all actions necessary to implement the intent of the Commission in this matter.
North Ottawa Dunes Expansion: The Board approved a resolution authorizing submission of a Michigan Natural Resources Trust Fund grant application for the North Ottawa Dunes Expansion Acquisition Project, expressing the County’s intent to provide up to 50% local match, not to exceed $3,253,880, toward a total project cost of up to $6,507,760, and to authorize the Parks Director to take such actions as are necessary to implement the intent of the Commission in this matter.
Emergency Management Grant: The Board approved the FY2025 Emergency Management Performance Grant in the amount of $15,410.
Budget Adjustments: The Board approved the FY2026 budget adjustments per the attached schedule.
Post-Execution Contract Ratification: The Board voted to ratify all contracts on the Ratification Report pursuant to the County’s Contracting policy.
Set Public Hearing for CMH Millage: The Board voted to adopt the resolution scheduling a public hearing on April 30, 2026, to receive input on the proposed Community Mental Health millage renewal and restoration of .30 mills.
Set Public Hearing for Parks & Open Space Millage: The Board voted to adopt the resolution scheduling a public hearing on April 30, 2026, to receive input on the proposed Parks & Open Space millage replacement and increase of .53 mills.
Community Mental Health Board – Public Seat (Commissioner): The Board voted to appoint Commissioner Rhodea to the Community Mental Health Board beginning April 1, 2026, and ending March 31, 2029.
Community Mental Health Board – Public Seat: The Board voted to select David Parnin to fill one (1) Community Mental Health Board Public seat vacancy beginning April 1, 2026, and ending March 31, 2028 to align with the appointment scheduleas per MCL 330.1224.
Community Mental Health Board – Public Seats: The Board voted to select Donna Bunce and Robert Davis to fill two (2) Community Mental Health Board Public seat vacancies beginning April 1, 2026, and ending March 31, 2029.
Community Mental Health Board – Primary Consumer Seat: The Board voted to select Robin Wick to fill one (1) Community Mental Health Board Primary Consumer seat vacancy beginning April 1, 2026, and ending March 31, 2029.
Community Action Agency Advisory Board – Consumer Sector Seat: The Board voted to accept the nomination of Britney Brown to the Community Action Agency Advisory Board Consumer Sector seat beginning March 24, 2026, and ending March 23, 2029.
Veterans Services Committee – War Veteran Seat: The Board voted to select one Mark Northrup to fill one (1) Veterans Services Committee War Veteran seat vacancy beginning immediately and ending December 31, 2027.
I voted for Mr. Northrup on the second ballot after voting for Larry Jackson in the first round, which was a tie 5-5-1 vote between Terry Sheffield and Mr. Northrup.
Land Bank Authority – Township Representative Seat: The Board voted to select xx to fill one (1) Land Bank Authority Township Representative seat vacancy beginning immediately and ending December 31, 2030.
Suggested Motion:
To accept the nominations of
Matthew Butts Kirk Perschbacher
Helen Deitrich Russell TeSlaa
and to select
