[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-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",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_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":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6074975,"mediaKeyId","2980208-65c104b29e26aece71b2bbb0f19fbe1f","parentId",2980208,"title","Ottawa County Health Department: measles cases rising regionally; no local cases yet","audioSeconds",484,"startMs",9296000,"endMs",9780000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2980208-65c104b29e26aece71b2bbb0f19fbe1f&start=9296&end=9780","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2980208-65c104b29e26aece71b2bbb0f19fbe1f/thumbnail_9296000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6074975/Ottawa-County/Michigan/Ottawa-County-Health-Department-measles-cases-rising-regionally-no-local-cases-yet","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6074975-afa5d4e96df7d825069940430e821056/orig.mp4?Expires=1771168377&Signature=Fa2o2hLPIy3Kv7XNqFrM3FmqZpgCnhUbMAxsI0cRaDYlkgD4ibXMlL6UuqA1UZrGAfUQNvZyiqKMB1R~Y10NV-CYL5~Lj4RXWCJ38-rFnth0oBbnAXUJfrAc3XUi0M6ypqUxDL6~EQL3PDKRyKuSb68OuzFlkrO20HEOTneYg1g5-gvjj3x~gPqMtrTTzQJXQSYAPMxbP4YZFauu4-PzAo7hfBky3CtVFmRbYBvlbwvKmaYR4Us7LnnLcadGTu0FoK4YOtoXyw-OKjbYa3hMyjmLeB6BW978pFPuVxLojXN5wpH1pB1vUpX~yq2U9G~Dhp1ITmBJgkkGQIKd5XLncQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","miOttawa","date","2025-04-10T00:00:00Z","article","County public health officials told commissioners that measles cases are increasing in surrounding jurisdictions but that there were no confirmed cases in Ottawa County as of April 10, and described preparedness and prevention steps.

Dr. Gwen Unzicker, a family physician with the health department, gave the update and said the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention had reported hundreds of cases nationally; Michigan had four confirmed cases (Oakland, Kent, Macomb and Montcalm counties) and an outbreak in Ontario. Measles is highly contagious, Dr. Unzicker said: up to 90% of exposed, susceptible people can become infected, and the virus can remain airborne for two hours after an infected person leaves a space.

The department has been working with health-care providers and school districts to ensure guidance and response plans are in place, to verify vaccine supplies and to coordinate possible preventive treatment. Dr. Unzicker summarized possible actions if exposures occur: (a) MMR vaccine given within 72 hours of exposure can prevent or mitigate disease in susceptible people; (b) immunoglobulin is an option for certain high-risk groups up to six days after exposure; (c) temporarily excluding exposed non-immune individuals from shared airspace (including school) for the incubation period (measles incubation can be up to 21 days) is an established, protective public-health measure.

Health staff described steps to reduce strain on waiver processing (the local health department provides education visits for medical and nonmedical waivers) and said MDHHS is working on an online waiver education module to reduce August bottlenecks when many waivers are requested before school starts. Officials reiterated that the department honors Michigan’s nonmedical waiver process while encouraging families to consult providers and consider public-health consequences; staff also said that if exclusion is required after exposure, the department seeks to minimize disruption and coordinate with schools to support students’ learning while excluded.

Ending: Health department staff said they will continue to monitor nearby outbreaks, coordinate with MDHHS and local providers, ensure vaccine supplies, and keep commissioners informed; they encouraged residents to check vaccination status and contact a health-care provider before visiting a clinic if they suspect exposure.

","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","April 10, 2025 Ottawa County Planning & Policy Committee Meeting","oneSentenceSummary","County public health officials reported regional increases in measles and detailed local preparedness steps, vaccination guidance and the county’s waiver process; there were no confirmed cases in Ottawa County at the time of the meeting.","taxTitle","Ottawa County, Michigan","taxId",3875,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6074980,"Committee reviews contract ratification policy; questions raised about $70,000 threshold and vendor risk",651,2999000,3650000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2980208-65c104b29e26aece71b2bbb0f19fbe1f&start=2999&end=3650","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2980208-65c104b29e26aece71b2bbb0f19fbe1f/thumbnail_2999000.jpg","/articles/6074980/Ottawa-County/Michigan/Committee-reviews-contract-ratification-policy-questions-raised-about-70000-threshold-and-vendor-risk","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6074980-3b0bb07a566bedf3880902cc92300b05/orig.mp4?Expires=1771168377&Signature=VvzfBzSMrqjQqXTAKPRa7Oaht-rGbcIwgegogbxIr7hcc~YflCfwEVQEa1TL-79PZcjL6FTHga2S7Dd1o5P00XIFZEju3BYo56FfCMoDE2qNwya2EBbhsKn7RkR0JxzNdfJ-QpfuLdlToTekYnRcSpwqB8Y77TuBgwMp608MNrt8tF4y16NXQu78xoC27go8g3jAC3VMrnDT9SO~wl8yITsalYfAnpAJabF1BKIkylP~Cl0TeEwmF9rl-aq-msHxnb9l6mH1h7aPuNMvTBdMtX8DTxOYAi6sxrdrQ0f6gb3EWth~G3yHzTeLCAhTGe76lRser8hzaZ65PSBM1sZxsg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","County staff and commissioners discussed the county’s contracting authorization and ratification process, focusing on the policy that allows certain contracts to be signed and later ratified by the board when the contract amount falls below established thresholds.

Staff explained that the county uses a post-ratification process for contracts under the current $70,000 threshold: contracts are reviewed by corporate counsel and fiscal services, signed by authorized staff, and then brought to the board for ratification at a subsequent meeting. The process was designed to allow operations to proceed without delaying services when statutory approvals or timing could prevent immediate board consideration.

Commissioners asked how many times contracts are reviewed before reaching the administrator for signature; staff said corporate counsel and fiscal services both review them. County corporate counsel read the standard contract language used in recent agreements: if the board refuses to ratify a contract after it is signed, the contract is null and void but the county will compensate a contractor for any services performed and reasonably relied upon prior to non-ratification. Several commissioners said they would like to see the contracting policy and the $70,000 threshold reviewed and asked staff to provide the contracting policy location and its last review date (the presenter said the contracting policy is documented under Legal Policies and last reviewed Oct. 28, 2024).

Discussion points included whether the $70,000 threshold remains appropriate, whether the board should see some contracts earlier, whether ratification exposes the county to vendor liability when signed contracts proceed before board ratification, and whether the board should consider more frequent committee review or delegate approval authority to the finance committee with safeguards. County counsel told commissioners the board may delegate contracting authority to a committee if it chooses, and cautioned that committee meetings are not equivalent to board action unless the board delegates authority by policy.

Ending: Commissioners asked legal and fiscal staff to return with the contracting authorization policy, the resolution establishing the $70,000 threshold, and options for more frequent review or delegation (including a costs/benefits analysis and a recommendation on whether to change the threshold or move to a bimonthly review cadence).

","Commissioners asked staff and legal about the county's contract ratification process, the $70,000 post-ratification threshold in the contracting policy and vendor exposure if the board declines to ratify signed contracts.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6074985,"Commissioners approve veteran discount and add active-duty eligibility for seasonal lakeshore vehicle permits",312,2676000,2988000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2980208-65c104b29e26aece71b2bbb0f19fbe1f&start=2676&end=2988","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2980208-65c104b29e26aece71b2bbb0f19fbe1f/thumbnail_2676000.jpg","/articles/6074985/Ottawa-County/Michigan/Commissioners-approve-veteran-discount-and-add-active-duty-eligibility-for-seasonal-lakeshore-vehicle-permits","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6074985-1bbb370bcb291955406c1c3b03e6c370/orig.mp4?Expires=1771168377&Signature=Qw4SPqMSTmxIVFXEkXSJum0H8tmTrum3P7oijH6GGX-KnsWVwr-8NczuhCROWIOyDho0d1vb-Ah04KzQO8AEfd2LQXeNwc~6WrWsXhXrC4DoNoE1~62KK9ef18hOxSUr8gpvYq8Q6gGctvZQF3DaAvG3~dq-Gvjxsu21db8~3G11yHZRjbt1cvQ~w3YbZKHFCJQKEEdXDQ6F3G~72cqAps2xT6KidmLAY9y6h6UlRi9L0myaX6aPgFIesWuvIIPgY-i4yGyepxl1XXdcjRU07zqTIFqsmY93lrjl8rX0DxGL5WwDA4nlTjTrX-lWwDHOXu4kVpjrPbHRHIQqdihMRg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Planning & Policy Committee voted to approve and forward to the full Board of Commissioners a proposed update to the county’s Parks motor vehicle permit schedule that adds a discounted annual lakeshore vehicle permit for veterans and, by amendment, for active-duty service members.

Kirk Trehire, park planner, explained that annual motor-vehicle permits (required for parking at select lakeshore parks and at Riverside Park from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day) currently cost $25; the parks commission recommended matching the county senior resident discount and lowering the fee to $9 for county veterans. Commissioners amended the motion to include service members on active duty and discussed implementation via the parks’ online permit system because on-site fee machines cannot process the discount.

During the meeting commissioners asked whether the addition would materially affect parks revenue or permit projections; staff said the number of additional permits was expected to be small. The amendment to include active-duty service members was supported and passed on roll call; the amended motion then passed in committee on a subsequent roll call vote and will go to the full Board of Commissioners for final approval.

Ending: The committee approved the amendment and the motion and forwarded the updated motor vehicle permit policy (veteran and active-duty discount to $9) to the full board; staff will implement the change online and confirm whether multi-eligibility (senior plus veteran) affects pricing rules.

","The Planning & Policy Committee approved a policy to offer discounted annual motor-vehicle permits for county veterans, and amended the proposal to extend the same discount to active-duty service members; the committee forwarded the proposal to the full board.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6074990,"Ottawa County panel debates use of county logo after commissioners' letters to Grand Valley State University",1192,6654000,7846000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2980208-65c104b29e26aece71b2bbb0f19fbe1f&start=6654&end=7846","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2980208-65c104b29e26aece71b2bbb0f19fbe1f/thumbnail_6654000.jpg","/articles/6074990/Ottawa-County/Michigan/Ottawa-County-panel-debates-use-of-county-logo-after-commissioners-letters-to-Grand-Valley-State-University","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6074990-cbd499de3e6a6c2a525253dc5f0fd44f/orig.mp4?Expires=1771168377&Signature=mQZiKVrk3uGGLnJhqjBjqD46jTMHkoAK2RuqhKcgigcVYQLD4EqRhKKC6KjbI6vM6sXaw~TkwLEIxfLWtSSo04HqQ-zQBtk8HNAaa~oHU8F1DKLpnhZWS0JEhLQWe~QYj~VDnEju~~dSflfHbPJlcBCU379bZH3W7Jlc73rmpuj7P95z4VhzIkqlwaiyrM-79RdOfKEdVoP-vubXNTaOGrOF7CLfQl2Q3pJ0diUiQdLD0iAKcu~W3LLJDp1LdBY3WdlKRKkROgIUBvc7cgDMMlitpVFVd2kjVPtTotLRw~vDdPVl2VWaHprTRPuhY3z6KG-P1ore-BC2eCsu84IRPA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Ottawa County commissioners spent a lengthy portion of the April 10 Planning & Policy Committee meeting debating whether individual commissioners may use county letterhead or the county logo when communicating with outside institutions, following several recent letters sent to Grand Valley State University.

The discussion centered on board rule 3.1, which requires commissioners to act collectively when speaking for the board. Several commissioners and members of the public said the logo created confusion among residents who read the letters online and assumed the communications carried the county’s official endorsement. Others argued individual commissioners have a duty to represent constituent concerns and may properly use their official title and county-branded stationery if the message is clearly identified as the writer’s personal views.

County staff, legal counsel and commissioners discussed a range of possible approaches: (a) leave current practice unchanged, (b) allow individualized use of logo or county letterhead but require a clear disclaimer such as “From the desk of [Commissioner Name], representing District X — views expressed are personal,” (c) create commissioner-specific “from the desk of” stationary that includes a short disclaimer, or (d) prohibit logo usage by individual commissioners outright. Several commissioners recommended a narrow, practical compromise: create an approved, county-managed “commissioner letterhead” template that includes a standard disclaimer and requires staff sign-off to avoid public confusion.

Speakers noted the distinction between individual communications and formal board actions, such as resolutions, which require collective action and are the appropriate vehicle when the board speaks as one body. Some commissioners said they would have preferred to have used the board’s resolution process to voice concerns collectively rather than sending individual letters; others said they acted on direct constituent concerns and that their personal advocacy was appropriate.

No formal disciplinary action or new rule was adopted at the meeting. Several commissioners asked staff and legal counsel to draft proposed language or bylaw amendments — for example, a short amendment to board rule 3.1 or a new administrative policy governing use of the county logo by elected officials — and to return those proposals to the full board for approval.

Ending: County legal and administrative staff will bring proposed language (a template disclaimer and a short bylaw or administrative policy) to the full board for consideration; no immediate sanctions or policy changes were imposed at the committee meeting.

","The committee examined whether individual commissioners may use county letterhead or the county logo when writing to outside institutions, with commissioners divided over whether such letters created public confusion and whether stricter guidelines or disclaimers are needed under board rule 3.1.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6074994,"Ottawa County discusses legal options, federal outreach as Consumers Energy plans Campbell plant closure",645,4314000,4959000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2980208-65c104b29e26aece71b2bbb0f19fbe1f&start=4314&end=4959","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2980208-65c104b29e26aece71b2bbb0f19fbe1f/thumbnail_4314000.jpg","/articles/6074994/Ottawa-County/Michigan/Ottawa-County-discusses-legal-options-federal-outreach-as-Consumers-Energy-plans-Campbell-plant-closure","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6074994-623e4be7010a5386c40db08b52c96c71/orig.mp4?Expires=1771168377&Signature=Kt0IFuWSkLtL~CvqSQku~ZE5jNmp6N4LflU-WJMLN6P1PEUn-Fc~d0EiHlKCiIRCx1aLqIZhnxVYfCy101MthFENLfzIThXj8sqeCjD-sBUKiNk6EOMeHS1JpANSZLLQoazMk0VHuWCQA3JSE21jRXhKczONNbBoIJMtI6nwFhBybFXwMRkrxFNrgUda53cc6OG0zgSaYD4W-rYxPOp2lGivAAHYxkpk0CbvMb8oLZNE7jK-fHcpGnmoFt3Ji3Rb7d5yfdt25yZgUwtvpM0trcqF1ugM6qq0J8mrDLWKCHNd1WipnkVFScqBkNtLr7ISINPybYIwGE76wfHEbYEJ8w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Ottawa County commissioners debated potential legal and political responses to Consumers Energy’s announced closure of the Campbell power plant, with several members urging both administrative outreach to the federal government and further legal analysis of the county’s authority.

Commissioners and staff said the county has already asked the Michigan Public Service Commission (MPSC) for a response and expects an answer this week; several commissioners said they expect the MPSC to “hold firm” on the closure. Commissioner discussion ranged from preparing a resolution for the White House Office of Intergovernmental Affairs to asking legal staff to research whether the county has standing to sue Consumers Energy directly under the Michigan Constitution.

The debate followed a staff report that cited Article VII, section 15 of the Michigan Constitution, which the presenter said gives county boards the power to “enter or to intervene in any action or certificate proceeding involving the services, charges or rates of any privately owned public utility” serving county ratepayers. County corporate counsel told commissioners that statute arguably gives counties authority to intervene in utility proceedings, but warned that proving standing and prevailing would require expert evidence and would face Consumers and the MPSC’s technical and legal defenses.

Some commissioners pressed for an immediate legal filing if the MPSC response was unfavorable; others urged caution, citing the time and cost of litigation, the statewide scope of the MISO grid and recent executive orders that might change federal regulatory posture. Several commissioners asked county legal staff to prepare options: (1) pursue administrative/federal advocacy via the Office of Intergovernmental Affairs and national groups (NACO), (2) develop a county-led legal petition against Consumers Energy (and related MPSC proceedings) if new evidence shows risk to grid reliability, or (3) pursue both paths in parallel depending on the MPSC response.

Commissioners also discussed working with neighboring counties and regional organizations (for example, Lakeshore Advantage and other counties that have filed related suits) to share costs if litigation proves appropriate. County counsel warned that a legal challenge would likely require expert testimony to rebut Consumer Energy and MPSC technical conclusions and that any lawsuit would take months to develop and resolve.

The committee directed staff to (a) share the MPSC response when received, (b) prepare a draft resolution and outreach letter for the Office of Intergovernmental Affairs and NACO to be considered at the next full board meeting, and (c) have legal staff prepare an options paper outlining standing, likely costs, timeline and evidentiary needs for potential litigation.

The issue remains unresolved; commissioners asked for a legal/options memo and a draft federal outreach resolution ahead of the next board meeting so the full board can consider a vote.

Ending: Commissioners agreed to return the topic to the full board with staff-prepared options and a draft resolution for federal outreach; legal counsel will provide a written assessment of standing and costs before any motion to litigate is considered.

","County commissioners debated next steps after Consumers Energy announced plans to close the James DeYoung (Campbell) coal plant, including asking the Michigan Public Service Commission for reconsideration, contacting federal intergovernmental affairs and the possibility of litigation if the MPSC declines to act.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Ottawa County Health Department: measles cases rising regionally; no local cases yet

Committee reviews contract ratification policy; questions raised about $70,000 threshold and vendor risk

Commissioners approve veteran discount and add active-duty eligibility for seasonal lakeshore vehicle permits

Ottawa County panel debates use of county logo after commissioners' letters to Grand Valley State University

Ottawa County discusses legal options, federal outreach as Consumers Energy plans Campbell plant closure