Meeting Notes 5-23-23
Meeting Notes from the May 23, 2023 Meeting of the Ottawa County Board of Commissioners.
Meeting Packet: https://www.miottawa.org/CalendarDocs/2023/1684523726189-packet.PDF
Meeting Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pm_J-zIpciM
Sentinel Roundup: https://www.hollandsentinel.com/story/news/politics/county/2023/05/24/ottawa-county-board-approves-constitutional-county-resolution/70250012007/
Post-Execution Ratification of Contracts: The Board approved all currently pending contracts under the Post-Execution Rarification list for the period of February 1, 2023 to April 30, 2023.
Ottawa County Sheriff’s Office 2022 Annual Report: The Board received for information the Ottawa County Sheriff’s Office 2022 Annual Report.
Ottawa County Department of Veterans Affairs 2022 Annual Report: The Board received for information the Ottawa County Department of Veterans Affairs 2022 Annual Report.
Constitutional County Resolution: The Board approved 9 to 1 a resolution declaring Ottawa County a ‘Constitutional County’.
I was disappointed that my motion to offer a substitute amendment to the Constitutional County Resolution failed. I believe it would have accomplished our stated goal of demonstrating the Board’s commitment to ensuring that Ottawa County is a place where Constitutional freedoms are honored and respected and would have addressed various of the concerns brought to us by Ottawa residents.
In the end, I voted no on the Constitutional County Resolution because I find the lack of clarity around who is doing the interpretation of the Constitution and the implication that the Board or even the Board chair will be doing the interpretation is deeply concerning.
“Strike paragraphs 1-14 and replace with the following”:
Whereas, the Ottawa County Board of Commissioners swore an oath to uphold the Constitutions of the United States and the State of Michigan at their January 3rd Organizational Meeting.
Therefore, let it be resolved that Ottawa County and the Ottawa County Board of Commissioners pledge to continue their commitment to support and uphold both the US and Michigan Constitutions in their entirety, as interpreted by their respective judiciary and thus ensure that Ottawa County is a place where all our constitutional freedoms are both honored and respected.
This substitute amendment failed for lack of second.
Resolution Honoring Heroes of Freedom: The Board approved unanimously a resolution honoring the role of the fallen, veterans, and those in active military service in preserving our freedom.
