Proposed Amendments to Our Board Rules
When we talk about "good government," we aren't usually talking about high-profile debates or campaign slogans. We are talking about the internal rules and procedures that determine how decisions are made.
Below are my current amendments to those Rules and why I believe they are important:
Proposed Amendment to Rule 2.3
Change the following paragraph:
~~MCL46.3 states: “The chairperson shall be elected each odd numbered year for a 2-year term, unless the county board of commissioners provides by resolution that the chairperson shall be elected annually for a 1-year term.” Thus, the Board establishes that the Chairperson may serve no more than two, 1-year terms during their current 4-year term or until a successor is duly elected and qualified as provided in these rules.~~
To:
MCL 46.3 states: 'The chairperson shall be elected each odd numbered year for a 2-year term, unless the county board of commissioners provides by resolution that the chairperson shall be elected annually for a 1-year term.' Thus, the Board establishes that the Chairperson may serve no more than two, 1-year terms during their current 4-year term, as provided by Board Resolution and State Law."
The Change: Aligns the definition of the term length to the Board Resolution and State Law.
The Goal: Structural Integrity. It maintains the 2-year cap on leadership while moving the technical details to the Resolution.
Proposed Amendment to Rule 4.2 – Organizational Meetings
Change the following paragraph from:
“The Board shall convene for its first meeting on the first business day after January 1 of each year. This meeting shall be known as the Organizational Meeting and the Board shall transact such business at said meeting, or at the adjournment date of such meeting, as shall be provided by these Rules or by law, including but not limited to the election of a Chairperson and a Vice-Chairperson. The Clerk of the Board shall preside over the Organizational Meeting until a Chairperson of the Board has been duly elected by a majority vote of the Commissioners.
To:
“The Board shall convene for its first meeting on the first business day after January 1 of each year. This meeting shall be known as the Organizational Meeting. The Clerk of the Board shall preside over the Organizational Meeting until a Chairperson of the Board has been duly elected by a majority vote of the Commissioners. At the Organizational Meeting, or at the adjournment of such meeting, the Board shall transact organizational business as required by law and the following:
Election of a Chairperson of the Board;
Election of a Vice-Chairperson of the Board;
Establishment of the schedule of regular Board meetings, including dates and times;
Appointment of Commissioners to Standing Committees,
Appointment of Commissioners to county and external boards, commissions, authorities, and similar bodies where such appointments are made by the Board or the Chairperson pursuant to these Rules, bylaws, ordinances, or state law; and
Adoption, amendment, or reaffirmation of the Rules of the Ottawa County Board of Commissioners.
Nothing in this Rule shall be construed to prohibit the Board from transacting other lawful business at the Organizational Meeting.”
The Change: Replaces vague language with a clear six-point list of core organizational business to be addressed at the start of each year. These items reflect longstanding practice at Organizational Meetings, even though they have not previously been explicitly codified in the Rules.
The Goal: Efficiency and clarity. Ensuring the Board completes its organizational work early in the year reduces uncertainty, improves transparency, and prevents essential governance items from being unnecessarily delayed.
Note: At the previous meeting, it was suggested that a new Chair shouldn't be expected to have assignments ready at the organizational meeting. However, first, chairs have successfully done this in prior years; and second, for the sake of transparency, I believe assignments should not only be prepared for presentation at the organizational meeting, but also shared in advance so commissioners can cast the most informed vote possible when it comes time to elect our new Chair.
Proposed Amendment to Rule 5.1 – Committee Assignments
Change last paragraph from:
“The Chairperson of the Board shall select the Chair of each Standing Committee and shall appoint Commissioners from the Board to serve on each Standing Committee. The Board Chairperson is an ex officio member of each standing committee.”
To:
“The Chairperson of the Board shall select the Chair of each Standing Committee and shall appoint Commissioners from the Board to serve on each Standing Committee, subject to approval of the Board of Commissioners by majority vote. The Board Chairperson is an ex officio member of each standing committee.”
The Change: Keeps the Chairperson’s ability to nominate committee members but makes those appointments subject to a majority vote of the Board.
The Goal: Collaboration. This brings committee assignments in line with how we already handle board and commission appointments - with Board approval. It's about consistency and accountability.
Note: I offered a very similar amendment two years because I believe that Committees that are not fully representative really should have Board input and approval. The motion at that time failed.
Proposed Amendment to Rule 6.3 - Add Discussion to BOC Agenda
Proposed language: Add: "11. Discussion Items"
The Change: Adds a permanent "Discussion Items" slot to the official Board Agenda.
The Goal: Representation. This allows any Commissioner to bring a topic to the floor for dialogue. It ensures every commissioner’s concerns can be heard.
Note: This matches our practice on agendas for Committees.
