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Thank you for your support as we strive to make our County the best it can be. The work of building and maintaining great relationships with Directors and Elected Officials, our excellent staff, and our County citizens, continues on a daily basis in ways both small and large.
I was happy to sit with leaders from our Sheriff’s Department this week during our Brown Bag lunch, and hear updates on their great work and to field their questions.
We continue to make progress on the Fiscal Year 2024 budget, as well as re-envisioning the County Strategic Plan – a collaborative process that will be driven by stakeholder input and be focused on metrics, in an easily digestible manner.
I hope you have a great weekend!
John Gibbs | County Administrator
Greetings! It is my pleasure to provide these two recent updates about Ottawa County, Where Freedom Rings!
First, the Board passed the Resolution to Protect Childhood Innocence which declares the Board's commitment to protect the innocence of children, and to cultivate healthy children, families, communities, and institutions in Ottawa County.
The resolution states: "No county staff or resources shall be allocated to activities, programs, events, content, or institutions which support, normalize, or encourage the sexualization of children and youth."
The Board encourages the people of Ottawa County to promote the good and the honorable to children.
Second, on July 12, 2023, a lawsuit filed against the Board of Commissioners by Mark Brewer, the former chair of the Michigan Democrat Party, was dismissed in its entirety.
The complaint alleged violations of the Open Meetings Act. Judge Kacel found the lawsuit was without merit. Ottawa County conducts business openly and transparently at properly noticed public meetings.
David Kallman, attorney for the County Board, stated in a press release:
"Mr. Brewer and his political allies attempted to weaponize the legal system to attack duly elected officials for simply following through on their campaign promises, all at the expense of the taxpayers of Ottawa County. We are pleased that Judge Kacel saw through this nakedly partisan lawsuit and dismissed all counts."
I am thankful for the opportunity to lead this beautiful county with a bright future!
Joe Moss | Chair of the Board of Commissioners
The following articles, updates, and upcoming events have been curated from a variety of sources:
Conducting court business has become easier with the addition of 11 new legal kiosks from the 20th Judicial Circuit and the Ottawa County Probate Courts. Positioned throughout Ottawa County, these kiosk stations allow residents to download and complete court forms, file documents and paperwork, pay fees, fines, court costs, or child support, seek assistance from the Legal Self-Help Center, conduct legal research, and even attend court hearings held virtually.
Legal kiosks can be found at the:
- Howard Miller Library and Community Center, Zeeland
- Coopersville Area District Library, Coopersville
- Ottawa County Administration Building, West Olive
- Ottawa County Courthouse, Grand Haven
- Ottawa County Courthouse, Hudsonville
- Latin Americans United for Progress, Holland
- Herrick District Main Library, Holland
- Herrick District Library North Branch, Holland
- Resilience, Holland
- Ottawa County Juvenile Justice Institute, Holland
- Ottawa County Courthouse, Holland
Map a location at miOttawa.info/kiosks
These new stations offer court patrons access to many of the same services they would find in a courthouse, but in more accessible and convenient locations.
The project was made possible by a grant from the Michigan State Police and the participating host sites of the kiosks.
Learn more information about the Legal Kiosk project and explore the map.
Ottawa County’s preliminary unemployment rates for May 2023 were recently released by the Michigan Department of Technology, Management, and Budget. Ottawa County’s May unemployment rate is 3.3%—the sixth lowest in Michigan. Unemployment rates in Michigan for May range from 2.4% in Livingston County to 8.7% in Ontonagon County.
Of Michigan’s 83 counties, 60 saw their unemployment rates increase from April to May.
More unemployment data, including monthly and annual data, is available on Ottawa County’s interactive Unemployment Dashboard. Explore the dashboard on the Department of Strategic Impact’s County Statistics page. You can also view the Unemployment Dashboard directly.
Unemployment data for the entire state is available from the Bureau of Labor Market Information and Strategic Initiatives. The press release from the State of Michigan is also online.
Michigan's new distracted driving law went into effect Friday, June 30. In short, the bill amended Michigan law to make it illegal to “use a mobile electronic device to do any task, including, but not limited to” the following:
- Send or receive a telephone call.
- Send, receive, or read a text message.
- View, record, or transmit a video.
- Access, read, or post to a social networking site.
- Hands-free use is allowed
Learn the details at Michigan.gov/DistractedDriving
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Ottawa County and the Holland Area Arts Council announced on June 26 which works have been purchased to become part of the permanent collection of the Ottawa County Art Trust. Eight pieces were chosen for purchase awards from a field of 53 entries by 29 artists who live or work in Ottawa County. All of the entries are on display in the Ottawa County Administration Building (12220 Fillmore Street, West Olive) on weekdays through August 25 from 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. and from 8 a.m. - 7:30 p.m. on July 25 and August 22. The pieces not chosen for the County's permanent collection remain available to purchase from the exhibit.
Purchase Awards were given to: (Listed in no particular order)
- Andrea Rich - Soft Summer Sun - Oil
- Diann Lemmen - Michigan Fall Harvest - Pencil on Paper
- Nancy Sackrison - Pier Pressure - Watercolor
- Patricia Dee - Quiet Field - Pastel
- Tom Saltsman - Beach - Acrylic
- Amy Peterson - Lone Tree - Soft Pastel
- Mary Ann Dunn - Green Heron on the Hunt - Watercolor
- Conni Schaftenaar - A Peaceful Lake for Kayaking - Watercolor
- Read the artist's biographies
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Above: County Administrator John Gibbs welcomes residents to the Ottawa County Art Trust Exhibition. Eight pieces were selected to become part of the County’s permanent collection from a field of 53 entries. Below: Residents and artists appreciate the works during a reception on June 26.
The Ottawa County Collaborative to Strengthen Youth and Families, under the guidance of Community Mental Health of Ottawa County, is working to identify and bridge gaps in mental health services; equip service providers; create community dialogue; and ensure every child in Ottawa County has access to the supports and services they need.
For many people, the stigma around mental health keeps them from sharing how they are really feeling with someone that can help. If you have ever struggled with your mental health, you know how difficult being honest and seeking treatment can be. Your story can inspire others to find help and support. Join the second phase of our Anti-Stigma Campaign: Be Heard. Share your story and make a difference in someone's life. Visit www.StigmaFreeOttawa.com to learn more.
While the Ottawa County Road Commission is a separate organization from Ottawa County government, we understand that being informed on projects like road closures and resurfacing projects is important to residents. Sign up now to receive weekly construction updates.
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