Meeting Notes 8-25-26
Meeting Notes from the August 25 Meeting of the Ottawa County Board of Commissioners
Meeting Packet: https://boards.miottawa.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/08042026-agenda-packet.special-meeting-1.pdf
Meeting Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l3WkqLdmbjE
Post-Execution Contract Ratification: The Board ratified all contracts on the Ratification Report pursuant to the County’s Contracting policy.
2027 Capital Improvement Plan: The Board approved the 2027-2032 Capital Improvement Plan.
Housing Advisory Board Appointment: The Board approved the appointment of Commissioner Barry to the Housing Advisory Board beginning immediately and ending December 31, 2026.
Housing Advisory Board – City or Village Representative Seat: The Board selected Jennifer Johnson to fill one (1) Housing Advisory Board City or Village Representative seat vacancy for a staggered term beginning immediately and ending December 31, 2028.
Housing Advisory Board – General Business Community Seat: The Board selected Elisa Hoekwater to fill one (1) Housing Advisory Board General Business seat vacancy for a staggered term beginning immediately and ending December 31, 2028.
Housing Advisory Board – Housing Advocacy Community Seat: The Board selected Mark Allen to fill one (1) Housing Advisory Board Housing Advocacy Community seat vacancy for a staggered term beginning immediately and ending December 31, 2027.
Housing Advisory Board – Nonprofit Developer Seat: The Board selected Steve Grose to fill one (1) Housing Advisory Board Nonprofit Developer seat vacancy for a staggered term beginning immediately and ending December 31, 2027.
I proposed adding a second non-profit spot on the Housing Advisory Board to allow Mr. Grose and Dave Rozman to be members, but that did not receive support.
Housing Advisory Board – Township Representative Seat: The Board selected Jerry Rabideau to fill one (1) Housing Advisory Board Township Representative seat vacancy for a staggered term beginning immediately and ending December 31, 2028.
Community Corrections Advisory Board- Defense Attorney Seat: The Board selected Christine Tober to fill one (1) Community Correction Advisory Board Defense Attorney seat vacancy to serve the remainder of the current term through December 31, 2026, and the following term beginning January 1, 2027, and ending December 31, 2029.
Hager Park Summer Camp: The Board approved the Out-of-School Time grant for Hager Park Summer camp in the amount of $19,200 and the budget adjustment to increase the revenue by the same amount.
GIS Data Sharing: The Board voted to approve a data-sharing agreement with the State of Michigan that will allow the public to download Ottawa County address points, road centerlines, and tax-parcel data through the Michigan Open Data Portal.
Broadband Wired Infrastructure: The Board voted to approve an amendment extending the County’s broadband infrastructure agreement with 123Net through March 31, 2027. The extension does not increase the cost of the agreement.
Allocation of Unassigned General Fund Balance: The Board voted to transfer $12.5 million of unassigned General Fund balance to the Capital Improvement Fund and commit $800,000 for use in the Strategic Planning Fund, subject to Board approval of the specific expenditures.
I proposed redirecting $250,000 of the $12.5 million capital transfer to the Strategic Planning Fund so that resources would be available for additional initiatives arising from the Board’s strategic plan. The amendment did not receive a second and therefore did not receive a vote.
Adding second Non-Profit spot on Housing Advisory Board: I offered an amendment to add a second Non-Profit Developer on the Housing Board. We have two great Candidates for only one ortiginal spot, and I feel/felt that it would be an unfortunate occurence if ..
Budget Adjustments: The Board voted to approve the Fiscal Year 2026 budget adjustments as presented:
