Meeting Notes 9-22-26
Meeting Notes from the September 22 Meeting of the Ottawa County Board of Commissioners
Meeting Packet: https://boards.miottawa.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/09222026-BOC-Agenda-Packet-1.pdf
Meeting Video: https://www.youtube.com/live/sLrkHuYRaZs
Post-Execution Contract Ratification: The Board ratified all contracts on the Ratification Report pursuant to the County’s contracting policy.
Community Health Worker Services: The Board approved a contract with Grand Valley State University providing $150,000 in revenue for Community Health Worker services over approximately 18 months.
Human Resources Director: The Board approved the Administrator’s selection of Sarah Allen as the Ottawa County Human Resources Director.
I voted for Sarah Allen as the Ottawa County Human Resources Director, even though I agreed with a number of my colleagues that we way in which the Board handled the approval was definitely not optimum.
Solid Waste Fees: The Board approved the Resoltion authorizing landfills in Ottawa County to collect the Kent County Hauler fees only on waste originating from Kent County.
Emergency Management Program: The Board approved the Fiscal Year 2027 Local Emergency Management Program Work Agreement required for the Emergency Management Performance Grant.
Sheriff’s Office Organizational Assessment: The Board approved a $167,110 contract with Matrix Consulting Group to conduct an organizational assessment of the Sheriff’s Office.
Digital Forensic Services: The Board approved a three-year, $405,600 contract with CDS Investigations for digital forensic analysis and investigative services, contingent upon adoption of the Fiscal Year 2027 budget.
Courtroom Technology: The Board approved a $144,712 contract with Mission Critical Partners to assess courtroom technology, contingent upon adoption of the Fiscal Year 2027 budget.
Budget Adjustments: The Board approved all Budget Adjustments from the prior month:
Ottawa Conservation District: The Board approved a three-year agreement providing $360,000 to the Ottawa Conservation District, contingent upon adoption of the Fiscal Year 2027 budget. The agreement specifies that County funding is for voluntary conservation services and education and may not be used to advocate or lobby for regulatory ordinances.
Water Resource Data Collection: The Board approved a $58,091 joint funding agreement with the United States Geological Survey for water-resource data collection.
IT Service Management Software: The Board approved a five-year, $158,545 contract with Flycast Partners for IT service-management software, contingent upon adoption of the Fiscal Year 2027 budget.
Pavement Preventative Maintenance: The Board approved a five-year contract with EverLine Coatings and Services providing up to $100,000 for on-call pavement maintenance.
Georgetown Township Bond Proceeds: The Board approved a resolution declaring the County’s intent to reimburse eligible project expenditures with future bond proceeds.
Parks Department Holiday Pay: The Board approved holiday pay for seasonal and part-time limited-benefit Parks and Recreation employees beginning in Fiscal Year 2027, at an estimated annual cost of $13,166.91.
Budget and Planning Software: The Board approved a five-year Workday subscription for budget and planning software at a cost not to exceed $179,635, contingent upon adoption of the Fiscal Year 2027 budget.
Budget and Planning Software Implementation: The Board approved a five-year contract with Porterhouse SLED for implementation and support of the new budget and planning software at a cost not to exceed $270,000, contingent upon adoption of the Fiscal Year 2027 budget.
Fiscal Year 2026 Budget Adjustments: The Board approved the Fiscal Year 2026 budget adjustments as presented.
Cost Allocation Plan: The Board approved the 2025 Cost Allocation Plan for implementation during Fiscal Year 2027.
IT Department Rate Study: The Board approved the IT Department Rate Study for implementation during Fiscal Year 2027.
CMH Transition Agreement: The Board approved the Community Mental Health Transition Agreement and Revolving Promissory Note, establishing October 1, 2026, as the date the new Community Mental Health Authority will begin operations.
Under the agreement, CMH employees will remain County employees through December 31 and transfer to the Authority on January 1, 2027, although the Authority will assume responsibility for their administration and supervision beginning October 1. The agreement also provides the Authority with a revolving line of credit of up to $13 million from the County at 3 percent interest, secured by the existing CMH fund balance and present and future voter-approved CMH millage appropriations.
I voted no because I continue to have concerns about the structure of the transition, especially the use of voter-restricted millage revenues to secure the line of credit, and, more broadly, about the balance between governance and financial responsibility.
Fiscal Year 2027 Budget: The Board adopted the Fiscal Year 2027 Appropriations Act as the County’s official budget for the coming fiscal year.
Medical Examiner Appointments: The Board appointed Dr. Fisher-Hubbard as Chief Medical Examiner and Dr. Kostelecky as Deputy Chief Medical Examiner for four-year terms beginning October 1, 2026.
Rosy Mound Expansion: The Board approved a resolution and grant agreement accepting $400,000 from the Michigan Department of Natural Resources for the first phase of improvements associated with the Rosy Mound expansion.
Historic Ottawa Beach Walkway: The Board approved an $80,780 contract with Nexgen Construction for repairs to retaining walls along the walkways at Historic Ottawa Beach Park.
Bend Area Master Plan: The Board approved a $103,677 contract with VIRIDIS Design Group to update the master plan for the Bend Area.
Transportation Studies: The Board approved a five-year master agreement with the Michigan Department of Transportation for public-transportation projects.
Transportation Studies Authorization: The Board authorized the current and future Board chairpersons and county clerks to execute contracts arising under the County’s master agreement with the Michigan Department of Transportation.
Justice Assistance Grant Public Hearing: The Board held a public hearing regarding the proposed use of funding from the Fiscal Year 2026 Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant Program.
Justice Assistance Grant: The Board approved the County’s application for $48,389 through the Fiscal Year 2026 Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant Program.
Incident Reporting Policy: The Board approved the revised Incident Reporting Policy on second reading.
Remote Access and Application Services Policy: The Board approved the revised Remote Access and Application Services Policy on second reading.
Reemployment of Retirees Policy: The Board approved the revised Reemployment of Retirees Policy on first reading.
