Meeting Notes 4-30-26
Meeting Notes from the April 28 Meeting of the Ottawa County Board of Commissioners
Meeting Packet: https://boards.miottawa.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/04302026-BOC-Agenda-Packet.pdf
Meeting Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iN33iynQnPY
ONN Tweet: https://x.com/ONNLeach/status/2049836063657496641?s=20
Sentinel Meeting Roundup: https://www.hollandsentinel.com/story/news/politics/elections/2026/05/01/ottawa-county-michigan-voters-will-decide-on-two-parks-related-proposals/89857723007/
Budget Adjustments: The Board approved the FY2026 budget adjustments per the attached schedule:
2026 Ottawa County Equalized Values: The Board approved the Board of Commissioners the 2026 Ottawa County Equalized values and to appoint the Equalization Director to represent Ottawa County at State Equalization Hearings.
2026 Ottawa County Equalized Values Form 4037C: The Board approved the 2026 Ottawa County Equalized values Form 4037C for each jurisdiction within the County.
Classification & Compensation Study: The Board voted to to table the recommendation for Ottawa County to adjust positions, pay grades, and the wage scale, as recommended.
I voted no on the motion to table because I am concerned that implementation of wage increases was set for May 1 and that implementation date is now not guaranteed to our staff. I acknowledge that there are concerns, but I would have preferred that we work through those concerns yet today so that staff has the surety of timely implementation.
CMH and Parks & Open Space Ballot Language: The Board voted to adopt the resolution approving the ballot language to place the renewal and restoration of the ten (10) year 0.30 mill dedicated millage for Community Mental Health on the August 4, 2026 ballot; the renewal and restoration of the ten (10) year 0.33 mill dedicated millage for the Parks and Open Space on the August 4, 2026 ballot; and placing the ten (10) year 0.20 mill increase dedicated millage for the Parks and the Open Space on the November 3, 2026 ballot.
Investment Policy: The Board approved the Board of Commissioners the revised Investment Policy for a first reading.
Artificial Intelligence Policy: The Board approved the new Artificial Intelligence Policy for a first reading.
Remote Work Policy: The Board approved the new Remote Work Policy for a first reading.
Post-Execution Contract Ratification: The Board voted to ratify all contracts on the Ratification Report as listed below:
Additional Business – Discussion on Compensation of Elected Officials: Today the Board also had a discussion regarding compensation of certain elected officials and actions taken by the Ottawa County Insurance Authority to compensate them for work performed in 2026.
This stemmed from a prior issue with the 2024 Officers’ Compensation Commission process, where certain compensation adjustments were not implemented within the required timeframe. The Board had previously considered a proposed resolution to address that issue and declined to move forward, instead tabling the matter, with commissioners expressing an expectation that any potential alternative solution would return to the Board for approval. During today’s discussion, it was explained that the Insurance Authority work group subsequently entered into agreements with two elected officials for additional work, and the compensation associated with those agreements was intended to address the prior compensation discrepancy.
Several commissioners, including myself, raised concerns regarding the authority under which the action was taken, whether the approach was consistent with the established process for setting officer compensation, and the overall lack of Board awareness and approval.
I am disappointed in the actions taken by the Insurance Authority. From my perspective, the Board had clearly declined to act on a proposed solution, and any alternative addressing the same underlying concern should have been brought back to the Board. While the arrangements were characterized as contract work or a settlement, the record indicates they were intended to address a compensation issue, which raises serious concerns about adherence to the process the Board has established — namely, the Officers' Compensation Commission as the sole mechanism for officer compensation matters.
