2021 End of Year Summary
Starting in January 2021, most of would have though that, by this time, the major effects of the Covid-19 Pandemic would have been behind us. However, that is definitely not the case, and with the rise of the Omicron Variant, making predications about 2022 are even more susceptible to doubt.
I did want to spend a few minutes going over all that did happen at the County Board level.
2021 Rules of the Ottawa County Board of Commissioners: One of the larger issues, and one that I believe continues to inflect our work are the 2021 Rules for the Ottawa County Board of Commissioners. The 2021 Rules included, for the first time in the Board’s history that I can see, a section dedicated to spelling out our duties. The Rules do not speak about our duties in terms of Roles and Responsibilities, but strictly posits that our duty is to “advance the County’s corporate, legal and financial interests”. I believe this focus advancing the County’s interests above all hinders us in doing our jobs in formation of policy, oversight, and constituent service.
COVID-19 American Rescue Plan Act Advisory Committee: The initial step to invest the $57 Million in American Rescue Plan (ARP) funds was the creation of the COVID-19 American Rescue Plan Act Advisory Committee. The Committee is a 20-member Committee designed to identify needs in their areas of expertise and assist with developing draft funding priorities for the County Board and Administration.
I did vote no because I believe that the ARP dollars represent a unique, once in a generation opportunity that calls for broad public involvement and engagement in the decision process so that we can allocate these funds in the most inclusive and transparent manner possible. The ARP dollars belong to all County residents, and I felt that before we begin the process of formulating an advisory panel, we should have worked to gather and place all Ottawa County residents’ ideas on the table first.
Family Justice Center Budget: The Board approved a budget increase of $5 Million to cover all costs associated with the proposed Family Justice Center project. The total cost is now estimated to be $30 Million. I voted no, as I did in 2019 when the cost estimate was between $15 to $23 Million. In 2019, I felt that price tag was too high and that we could accomplish many of the new Courthouse’s goals, especially those related to privacy and safety, through a smaller scale, more strategic build that would also imply reduced annual staffing and maintenance costs. At $30 Million, my opinions have not changed.
Note that in 2016, the project was budgeted to come in at $10 Million.
Surveillance, Invasion of Privacy or Security Ordinance: The Board approved the Surveillance, Invasion of Privacy or Security on County Property ordinance. The Ordinance would restrict surveillance (including the use of drones) in parks, the Jail and courthouse areas as well as other County-owned property. It would prohibit anyone from unauthorized video taking and audio recording of any work area, person or proceeding inside a County building, except for meetings open to the public or as authorized by the Chief Judge for a court proceeding. It would also prohibit all drone usage within 500 feet of the Jail or Juvenile Detention Center and 20 feet from the courthouses in Grand Haven, Holland and Hudsonville, as well outside above any County-owned property, including County parks. I voted no because the Ordinance presents both existing law and constitutional issues that I believe need to be resolved prior to any decision by the Board.
Note that the 20th Circuit Court did enjoin the entirety of the Ordinance at the end of the November.
Policy on Board Resolutions: The Board approved a Policy on Resolutions that dictates which types of Resolutions the Board may or may not wish to consider. The policy states that the Board would only consider resolutions that pertain to specific administrative or legislative authority conferred to the Board by state statute or those honorary resolutions that recognize extraordinary community or county service of particular individuals, officers or employees. The Board would not take action on any other type of resolution.
I voted no because I believe the policy not only impinges on our right to speak, but more importantly, takes away our ability to lead on issues of importance to the Ottawa community, Furthermore, I believe the language that we will only take up Resolutions that ‘pertain to our Statutory Authority’ to be vague and indefinite to the point of not providing any real practical guidance.
Appointment of Interim Administrator: The Board approved the appointment of John Shay, current Deputy Administrator, as Interim Administrator effective August 27 following the departure of longtime Ottawa County Administrator Al Vandenberg
Health Department Mask Mandate: Prior to the start of the fall school year, the Ottawa County Health Department mandated that all Ottawa County schools enforce an order requiring all students from Kindergarten to Fifth Grade. This action generated a strong response from many members of the Ottawa community. It was determined that the Board had no direct role in either supporting or overturning the Mask Mandate on the basis that Health Department gets their powers to act on Health matters from the State, and not from the Board. I do however support the work of the Health Department in keeping the Ottawa school environment safe through this mandate, and am grateful that most all Ottawa area students were able to receive in-person learning, in part because of the actions taken by the Health Department.
Executive Search Committee: The Board approved the request to contract with GovHR for executive recruitment services in the amount of $22,500 and to appoint a County Administrator search committee consisting of:
Chair Bergman, Vice-Chair Fenske and Commissioner Dannenberg
Jose Gomez, Jennifer Owens, Michelle Fare and Monica Verplank
I voted yes because I feel we have a very balanced committee that will work to give the best slate of candidates.
Resolution in Support of Additional Circuit Court Judgeship: The Board voted to approve the Resolution in Support of Additional Circuit Court Judgeship. In July 2019, the State Court Administrative Organization published a its biennial Judicial Resource Report that indicated that the 20th Circuit Court needed .85 extra Judgeships, to be shared between the 20th Circuit and Ottawa County probate Courts based on a Weighted Caseload Docket Analysis. In light of this report, the Board voted to approve the Resolution.
I voted no because, while I respect the work done by the SCAO, I think the fact that overall caseloads has decreased to such an extent, that even given additional complexity in cases, there was not a pressing necessity, as the Resolution states.
Note that Governor Whitmer has vetoed the legislation that will create this position.
Photography in County Buildings Policy: The Board approved the Photography in County Buildings Policy. The policy mandates that no officer, agent, employee or member of the public may photograph the interior of County facilities.
I voted no because, outside of employee workareas, I believe public buildings to be accessible to the public and that includes being accessible through photographic means.
Resolution on Vaccine Mandate: The board voted 6 to 4 to approve a Resolution directed to President Biden opposing his administrations proposed Federal Vaccine Mandates.
I voted no because I believe the resolution violates our policy on Resolutions. I am in favor of reversing our policy on Resolutions, and was the only no vote on our Policy back in July, but I do not believe we can pass policies that we then ignore when we deem them inconvenient.
Livestreaming of Committee Meetings: The Board approved the livestreaming of meetings of the Planning & Policy, Finance & Administration, Health & Human Services, and Talent & Recruitment committees while requiring all public comments at committee meetings to be submitted in-person.
Semi-Annual County Newsletter: The Board approved the issuance of a semi-annual newsletter that would be mailed to all households in Ottawa County at an approximate cost of $92,800
2021 Citizen Survey results: The Board received for information the 2021 Citizen Survey. It was especially heartening to see resident approval of the County Health Department’s Covid-19 management reach nearly 70% total approval, as shown above. You can read the survey here.
Ottawa County Correctional Facility - Telecommunications: The Board voted to approve the proposal from Smart Communications to provide telecommunications, tablets, and additional services within the Ottawa County Adult Correctional Facility.
The Contract calls for commissions to Ottawa County between 90 and 100% for phone calls and voicemails, video calls at 50% and e-messages at 10%. I definitely appreciate the Sheriff Department’s desire to show revenue where possible, but I do think we need to be re-examining whether we should be focused on that right now, especially when it comes at the expense of many Ottawa County families at a time when they may least be able to afford it, and when we have over $56 Million in excess funds. I made a motion to waive those fees in favor of corresponding rate reductions in our offered services. That motion failed for lack of a second.
I voted no on the overall communications contract because, while I do believe it is a better contract than we currently have, I also believe that it could be improved by seeking further rate reductions so that Ottawa County families will have the opportunity to more readily communicate with their loved ones.
COVID-19 American Rescue Plan Act Plan: The Board approved the COVID-19 American Rescue Plan Act Advisory Committee proposed Lenses Project Evaluation, Focus Areas, and Flow Diagram composed of:
- The Lenses for Project Evaluation will be utilized to guide the selection of projects to receive State and Local Financial Recovery Funds (SLFRF).
- The categorized Focus Areas for SLFRF are 1) County Operations; 2) Countywide Broadband; 3) Affordable Housing; 4) Social and Human Service Needs; and 5) Business Stabilization Needs.
- The Project Selection and Funds Distribution Process Flow Diagram identifies the general steps for soliciting, assessing, selecting, funding, and evaluation projects for SLFRF.
I voted no because I feel that we should be doing all we can to allocate as much of the ARP resources into the wider Ottawa community as possible, and am concerned that the preliminary budget of $20 Million for the Focus Area pertaining to County Operations will be a strong impediment to that effort.
Summary:
As 2021 closes, I feel grateful for the support and trust that City of Holland residents have shown, especially as regards the County Mask Mandate, but also in regards to other key votes, initiatives and policy issues the Board has taken up this past year. It is my intent to keep working towards a more responsive and transparent County government where everyone belongs and which works for the good of all Ottawa County residents.
