[{"_1":2,"_134":-5,"_135":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,74,86,98,110,122],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":56,"_73":56},"mediaId",6362141,"mediaKeyId","2168618-0eea2cd4c576be65b7d322169ec5eaee","parentId",2168618,"title","Board votes to settle Gibbs litigation; agreement draws sharp debate","audioSeconds",1399,"startMs",12206000,"endMs",13605000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2168618-0eea2cd4c576be65b7d322169ec5eaee&start=12206&end=13605","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2168618-0eea2cd4c576be65b7d322169ec5eaee/thumbnail_12206000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6362141/Ottawa-County/Michigan/Board-votes-to-settle-Gibbs-litigation-agreement-draws-sharp-debate","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6362141-91af66fc9d15176995f43b05f1ea3d2e/orig.mp4?Expires=1771191447&Signature=RGOsuVeKshma1x7sI67-G0GWqVbHQsdqPZmayYD5zjSg24f6FXUo5ab4itKmXSibSJ7bDzds99f7utLYWYPXnj6PbY8P6zFdKfK-EG08HJcB-Orn4iCGy9wExaCLmXXmmUYbVKl3u1QV4y2il7RNbDQVNtgssRqHogoV7rVr1XilwFcUA9hGAagKcCaiAfKacTNanpuqoE0S4qGaJQboIZWipYnJrRIFicRuhlynMTTMD57lup1~g52oj0HoJjNxXlY1eRcS9H3zRubd3JNl8fu84WQ0iWuhobJGGN7e5nMjyDXOx00Anl1usr8dog8iH~k2BuFadHnDuUNTuPp4ZQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","","date","2025-01-29T03:34:53Z","article","The Ottawa County Board of Commissioners voted on Jan. 28 to approve a settlement agreement resolving litigation with former county administrator John Gibbs. The settlement, as described in counsel's memorandum, provides a lump-sum payment and resolves multiple pending claims in arbitration and court.

Key terms read aloud at the meeting include a total payment of $190,000 that would be allocated in thirds (a portion to the plaintiff for economic damages, a portion for non-economic damages, and a portion to plaintiff's attorney fees) and an agreement that the county will rescind the February 29, 2024 termination and instead accept a resignation effective February 22, 2024, with the resignation letter placed in Gibbs' personnel file. The agreement includes releases of claims against the county and individual board members and contains a standard non-admission clause.

The settlement was controversial at the meeting. Several commissioners and members of the public urged the board to reject the proposed deal and continue litigation; others said litigation costs and uncertain outcomes justified settlement. Former and current commissioners and a former commissioner (Gretchen Cosby) submitted a public letter urging the board to reject a settlement that they said would undermine accountability and public trust.

Counsel stated that continued litigation could lead to higher costs to the county and that the insurance authority and litigation counsel had worked on the terms. Counsel also warned that open-session discussion of settlement strategy could hinder negotiation leverage. After discussion the board voted by roll call to approve the settlement agreement as presented.

The motion passed by roll call. Commissioners recorded a mix of yes and no votes during the roll call. The board instructed staff to file the executed settlement and proceed with implementation tasks described in the agreement.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","January 28, 2025, Ottawa County Board of Commissioners Meeting","oneSentenceSummary","After contentious debate and public letters criticizing a proposed settlement, the board approved a settlement with former county administrator John Gibbs that includes a $190,000 payment and language rescinding the termination and placing a resignation letter in the personnel file; the decision drew public and commissioner opposition.","taxTitle","Ottawa County, Michigan","taxId",3875,"location","headline","shortSummary",{"_33":75,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":76,"_41":77,"_43":78,"_45":79,"_47":80,"_49":81,"_51":82,"_53":83,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":84,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":85,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":56,"_73":56},6362147,"Board appoints Jordan Georgesema to Community Mental Health board; other CMH seat sent to ad hoc process",748,9234000,9982000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2168618-0eea2cd4c576be65b7d322169ec5eaee&start=9234&end=9982","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2168618-0eea2cd4c576be65b7d322169ec5eaee/thumbnail_9234000.jpg","/articles/6362147/Ottawa-County/Michigan/Board-appoints-Jordan-Georgesema-to-Community-Mental-Health-board-other-CMH-seat-sent-to-ad-hoc-process","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6362147-01931c85d636697ba3adad4f87ff2581/orig.mp4?Expires=1771191447&Signature=DqkXKHhuQuN-yX7eOSNfk1lTySQoZBx3RgOExdOwuMjGECEjU8iMpUck-WW4ec~iEiLB27w6ereCsEC0tulPyX2lOoQhPUskvNchmlgFZJiMVCeT5qrLNMEX6CIBR1MvxyiFYJJt5v5dO~93ghdW1Uy1YOQKsLGlA1P0L4dyLbmZNluNsw-7CrIabqfvopEN-a-tTqeqrNbaqAHPJWBr-GOuFsay-PB~JlI6RxVr2K75CFgzerBYhpG7N8~ceR40o7phJes86BsoMpyLbZ9IPlGzoPOVkV8XIeSU2vwuPJ-cwoAiAnSoFNZAw9mnTlmFK34rtwHASTV6es7WIww2cw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Ottawa County Board of Commissioners on Jan. 28 appointed Jordan Georgesema to a Community Mental Health (CMH) Board vacancy and approved a three-year term running April 1, 2025 through March 31, 2028. The appointment followed discussion about whether the county should use its standard talent-recruitment process for CMH vacancies.

Commissioner Allison and others noted that the county's most recent talent and recruitment round had several applicants for CMH and that the person proposed for immediate appointment (Bonnie Vanderzweig) had not applied in that round. Allison moved to send the appointment process to the newly formed Appointment and Alignment ad hoc committee so that all interested county residents would have the opportunity to apply; the motion was amended on the floor to appoint Jordan Georgesema immediately to fill the currently open seat and to send the other appointment(s) through the ad hoc process.

County staff and the CMH committee chair were consulted during the discussion; staff said the vacancy could be left until April but that the board may want a representative in the interim. Commissioners also discussed term alignment (many CMH seats are three-year staggered terms) and noted statutory limits and a 12-year cap on total board service for some members.

Votes: The motion to send the appointment to the ad hoc committee and at the same time appoint Jordan Georgesema to the immediate vacancy passed on a roll-call vote. The board recorded the motion to approve and appoint Georgesema to the April 1, 2025 '1 March 31, 2028 term.","The board appointed Jordan Georgesema to fill a Community Mental Health (CMH) seat with an effective three-year term, while agreeing to send a separate CMH vacancy through the new Appointment and Alignment ad hoc for open recruitment after some commissioners raised fairness concerns about bypassing the standard talent-recruitment process.",{"_33":87,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":88,"_41":89,"_43":90,"_45":91,"_47":92,"_49":93,"_51":94,"_53":95,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":96,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":97,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":56,"_73":56},6362152,"Board agrees to implement Michigan Earned Sick Time Act provisions for county employees",210,4301000,4511000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2168618-0eea2cd4c576be65b7d322169ec5eaee&start=4301&end=4511","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2168618-0eea2cd4c576be65b7d322169ec5eaee/thumbnail_4301000.jpg","/articles/6362152/Ottawa-County/Michigan/Board-agrees-to-implement-Michigan-Earned-Sick-Time-Act-provisions-for-county-employees","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6362152-3edcedae7026410d99b50530cb94be2e/orig.mp4?Expires=1771191447&Signature=IzIGi7m6vIqYNPsQy0pkjRq4BKZUP0fGxL-C9KfM2XP97e7nlq0Vbylz~fYBYPddEi01w9jwTmuz3vMKgnILGOODyYpRPnt5a6gaFMh10NEqnlZVlb2ORJKHNGsxz0SBVbAxcvTZnfXXRvEIiYfTreEZAi0bP0KJfDyLNH6O30lAJq6rndr4IMnxMdRYCbkYAsruR3lxp-huxE7t-vbl7JvKwDi~Cb8RDuoBEl5DIC4HBAiXN-p4yC3o64uHIzI83t7fDbubMHVJqanUzJa4OmEyAjTM-9Wf0YW8H6Rgb-8RWAxDbIcL-03Aw6Y6Weow7bd6GhyosgK1il3EhcblPg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Ottawa County Board of Commissioners approved modifications to employee sick-time benefits to comply with the Michigan Earned Sick Time Act at its Jan. 28 meeting.

Human Resources staff explained the action applies to county groups that are unclassified Group T employees and non-benefited/seasonal positions; collective bargaining agreements remain unchanged until their stated expirations. HR said the Michigan Supreme Court recently set a statutory start date for the law at Feb. 21, and the county is implementing policy changes now to meet that start date. County lobbyist Bob DeVries reviewed the approach with staff and concurred with the recommended direction.

Commissioners asked whether subsequent legislative changes would require future revisions; staff said the board would be brought back to amend policies if the legislature or governor made changes before the law took effect. Because the item had financial implications, commissioners held a roll-call vote; the change passed.

The board directed staff to proceed with the policy revisions and to return if additional changes are required by subsequent state action or collective bargaining results.","Ottawa County approved changes to employee sick-time benefits to implement the Michigan Earned Sick Time Act ahead of its Feb. 21 effective date; collective bargaining agreements were noted as unaffected until expiration.",{"_33":99,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":100,"_41":101,"_43":102,"_45":103,"_47":104,"_49":105,"_51":106,"_53":107,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":108,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":109,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":56,"_73":56},6362157,"Board updates committee assignments, creates five-commissioner Appointment and Alignment ad hoc",2008,4627000,6635000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2168618-0eea2cd4c576be65b7d322169ec5eaee&start=4627&end=6635","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2168618-0eea2cd4c576be65b7d322169ec5eaee/thumbnail_4627000.jpg","/articles/6362157/Ottawa-County/Michigan/Board-updates-committee-assignments-creates-five-commissioner-Appointment-and-Alignment-ad-hoc","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6362157-3e71d787bf7056d9076ad78c63db365b/orig.mp4?Expires=1771191447&Signature=CZ8hFY83AaPUbnDqEzFPBeLiDUQFMeMBPR57iUdanvy-YOna8ETKDpUlR4AOEFCEMz6T8pJ1O-ADiQffFrQXhjSIVsZiPmmUDGmTAKLu8LZqgZDcKvFrRYo6Yi1bbUvo~GR-t-W6mI4lf3Rx-n1XVNDByBvNY-L9QWuhegUnW9q4QHPuo6VW4viH4fSQeyWYghiL1cenCWSy608i691Cn5vf7hxvBxzCOjSS0zOtee88ev~TxRhcMRUkye~~lfSbKvdU7nt-AwAMua~RGG0dSOev9Dh-vqtsyX2XyVvuaETM0uG3qOuUTiFCzgsSzSUWsqXYPwFqzPA~-0VaUNRKkw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Ottawa County Board of Commissioners approved an updated slate of commissioner appointments to county boards, commissions, authorities and councils on Jan. 28 and created a five-commissioner ad hoc committee titled the Appointment and Alignment Committee.

Chair Tippels presented the revised 2025 recommended assignments under Board Rule 2.3. Commissioners discussed several items before the vote, including:

- Groundwater Board composition: Commissioners debated whether the groundwater board's bylaws' language (\"shall total no more than 17 members, including 2 members from the Ottawa County Board of Commissioners\") requires exactly two commissioner seats within the 17-member cap or allows up to two. Legal counsel advised the language is open to interpretation and recommended the board proceed with the proposed appointments while the ad hoc committee clarifies bylaws and membership.

- Materials management seat: Commissioners discussed whether a seat currently filled by a county official (referred to in previous practice as Jacob) should be posted through the county's standard talent recruitment process. The individual offered to resign; the board agreed to remove the commissioner from the proposed list and ask staff to open the vacancy for application if required by statute.

The board approved the revised assignments as amended and established a five-commissioner ad hoc committee (Appointment and Alignment Committee) to review bylaws, recommend adjustments to term expirations so seats align with bylaws and state statutes, and bring qualified candidates forward. The committee members named were Josh Berger (chair), Phil, Doug (Chair Tippels), Allison, and Jordan (names used as listed in packet). The committee will follow open-meeting rules and post meetings publicly; staff indicated an aggressive schedule to conduct initial work in February and return recommendations in the months ahead.

Commissioners and staff noted the work will involve reviewing many bylaws and statutes (examples cited: Parks & Recreation, Land Bank, Veterans Affairs) and that the effort is meant to correct historical inconsistencies in appointment timing and statutory seats.

Votes: The board approved Rule 2.3 amendments and the revised assignments; the ad hoc committee creation and membership were approved by majority votes recorded at the meeting.","The board approved a revised set of commissioner assignments to county boards and commissions, created a five-member Appointment and Alignment ad hoc committee and voted to send several appointment questions to that panel after discussion over groundwater and materials management seats.",{"_33":111,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":112,"_41":113,"_43":114,"_45":115,"_47":116,"_49":117,"_51":118,"_53":119,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":120,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":121,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":56,"_73":56},6362160,"Board ratifies county contracts including $45,000 for Lakeshore Nonprofit Alliance despite debate over DEI",2092,7133000,9225000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2168618-0eea2cd4c576be65b7d322169ec5eaee&start=7133&end=9225","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2168618-0eea2cd4c576be65b7d322169ec5eaee/thumbnail_7133000.jpg","/articles/6362160/Ottawa-County/Michigan/Board-ratifies-county-contracts-including-45000-for-Lakeshore-Nonprofit-Alliance-despite-debate-over-DEI","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6362160-fa9adcc0d85362781f43518383eeb090/orig.mp4?Expires=1771191447&Signature=aVzea9efREdxm5MfHqyNiVAVq4qrj0w~GQ6P~U-Vq1hD5-z9byTxMv5DzV2KbBYn39pY9BZdpnHOQEa7sziLW~QgsMS2mTJQwscOPDUF63LTTV~1297mrq5Z8OJdYxMTq22OAJX4FFxTm4Y6BhIlpeCHW28KV94IW23l~Z0ffXP9yWMmQBuWQcWtpkvazfZIvOBWAMkAIyfx3FPNSMVkoJP0PnViZZSu30W9AibuGwj1ZFZU5IGlycFj53BbQXnOB3a5tRVMm9bvN8Rx4nFgxfQcDH7gz9abi9zQLlMALH3afLb7vJ2Kz88DplPJy6suiNUZR80qG0ccHUeJFkCBKw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Ottawa County Board of Commissioners on Jan. 28 approved the post-execution ratification of multiple contracts, including a $45,000 scope-of-work contract with Lakeshore Nonprofit Alliance (often referred to in meeting materials as Spoke). The ratification passed by roll-call vote after extended debate and public comment.

Public commenters and several commissioners raised concerns about the nonprofit's public statements on diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI). Commissioner comments and speakers during public comment cited language found on the organization's website and urged the board either to remove the item for additional review or to tie future funding to changes in the group's practices. Some commissioners said the organization provides long-standing coordination services among county human services agencies and that cutting funding would disrupt work on housing and emergency management coordination.

The board debated whether to remove the Spoke/Lakeshore contract from the ratification listing for further review. A motion to remove item 2518 failed in a roll-call vote; the board then considered and passed the post-execution ratification as presented. Several commissioners said they prefer to pursue discussions with the organization about programming and priorities rather than end services immediately.

County staff told the board the program formerly known as Spoke had merged administratively into Lakeshore Nonprofit Alliance for overhead efficiencies and that Ottawa County Public Health acts as the fiduciary for invoices. Staff also said the contract would include quarterly reports to the board.

The vote to ratify contracts was recorded by roll call. The rescinded-removal motion failed; the ratification motion passed. The approved contract list and exhibits are included in the county's official contract packet for Jan. 28.

Commissioners said they expect follow-up conversations with Lakeshore Nonprofit Alliance about areas of community concern and that any future contracts will be monitored and can be reconsidered in subsequent budget cycles.

Votes: The motion to remove item 2518 (Spoke/LNA) from the ratification list failed on roll call. The final motion to approve post-execution ratifications, including the $45,000 agreement with Lakeshore Nonprofit Alliance, passed on roll call.","After public comment and more than an hour of debate, the Board approved post-execution contract ratifications including a $45,000 agreement with Lakeshore Nonprofit Alliance (Spoke). Several commissioners and residents urged delay or review over the organization's DEI stance but the motion carried on roll call.",{"_33":123,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":124,"_41":125,"_43":126,"_45":127,"_47":128,"_49":129,"_51":130,"_53":131,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":132,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":133,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":56,"_73":56},6362166,"Ottawa County commissioners accept chair'resignation and reelect John Tippels to one-year term",286,3851000,4137000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2168618-0eea2cd4c576be65b7d322169ec5eaee&start=3851&end=4137","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2168618-0eea2cd4c576be65b7d322169ec5eaee/thumbnail_3851000.jpg","/articles/6362166/Ottawa-County/Michigan/Ottawa-County-commissioners-accept-chairresignation-and-reelect-John-Tippels-to-one-year-term","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6362166-843a2962a4fd98cb1b48b6314538bf26/orig.mp4?Expires=1771191447&Signature=a7JjhThzxjsBygv4luJCbVyhEYY3xZ4Uc2xZl7M4J0m7oFxFuwPVu3zunVhTSeieErLgfez7LQzQh9okJyQI-zECVRlVKJ4tX-fmI~A5cLrGezzRIjnOExprESkTcmBCPt3y-aM3aDcpigX5CZemg6EL-bPF2IR8x3q~J3876WBsVcar8du1LgGs9n8c-7f2f5-gO65ve-W-1Et0jdUenP4bmJlX1e5j6KlN8HjGxCv6saEtHeI9CgoxPwpK090ua6La-nclWfDwdeq4GbyYzUNSfMGnYGkNJG91WttkzgkEw4hV5uEICXHIhnk8wcutmlkxz8rEuPHinSMmmo67zg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Ottawa County Board of Commissioners voted on Jan. 28 to add a special agenda item under MCL 46.3-4 and to accept the resignation of John Tippels as chair in order to clarify that future chair elections are annual. The board then re-elected Tippels to serve as chair through January 2026.

The move came after counsel advised the board that a resolution was needed to ensure the chair is elected annually under state law. The resolution states that \"the chairperson shall be elected by the board of commissioners annually\" and that current chair John Tippels is elected effective immediately with a term ending on the election of a chair in January 2026.

Commissioners discussed the procedural step before taking a roll-call vote on the resolution. The board approved the agenda amendment to add the item, then approved the resolution and Tippels' re-election by roll call.

The change is a procedural fix applying to the board's internal rules and does not alter commissioner terms or other statutory officeholders. Board members said the goal was to preserve flexibility in leadership selection by specifying one-year chair assignments going forward.

The resolution cites MCL 46.3-4 as authority for the board to provide by resolution that the chair be elected annually. The measure also included a clause repealing any conflicting resolutions or parts of resolutions.

The board moved on to other business after the vote.","The Board voted to add a special item to the agenda, accept Chair John Tippels' resignation and immediately reelect him to serve a one-year chair term under MCL 46.3-4; roll-call vote approved the resolution.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Board votes to settle Gibbs litigation; agreement draws sharp debate

Board appoints Jordan Georgesema to Community Mental Health board; other CMH seat sent to ad hoc process

Board agrees to implement Michigan Earned Sick Time Act provisions for county employees

Board updates committee assignments, creates five-commissioner Appointment and Alignment ad hoc

Board ratifies county contracts including $45,000 for Lakeshore Nonprofit Alliance despite debate over DEI

Ottawa County commissioners accept chair'resignation and reelect John Tippels to one-year term