[{"_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",6511351,"mediaKeyId","5331680-f2cf82032a729543ad2eb7fa9883a34c","parentId",5331680,"title","Community Action Agency reports FY24 service levels, senior food program shifts and federal funding uncertainty","audioSeconds",1026,"startMs",6000000,"endMs",7026000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5331680-f2cf82032a729543ad2eb7fa9883a34c&start=6000&end=7026","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5331680-f2cf82032a729543ad2eb7fa9883a34c/thumbnail_6000000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6511351/Ottawa-County/Michigan/Community-Action-Agency-reports-FY24-service-levels-senior-food-program-shifts-and-federal-funding-uncertainty","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6511351-b996470d687e92bbfa78dea2a6c3ec89/orig.mp4?Expires=1775103531&Signature=Kbf1h4h1DMBIojSB1NZYLczxRnmNnG1DQiZAO2FW7Iy-IarxsS89Z1uDRRRTW9K4aPrDLrjwLnFRCfqvbXRFbA-Ar9DTe1DRohakGo1WIxG3lbwLG~vUzfH9SFCVfQJYLetLUymjZ6yeXUlg15RpD4iKIeofXaGDHE14jE0k4GWsEitnteUeZTHa6cyMM5OkmQWgF5drILD2viFSuA1cgPEVmni9Ii0alkDYMw2C4t1EUjsCEfOACSW~EH89C-S4PMbbcTfmX1fW6GVtW2narnDiGO0OjyIoDfGscLozFk6w7VgRoxz4QAA18lAQMk3yQytchUxUK1TpxZSacURXZg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","miOttawa","date","2025-07-08T12:55:44Z","article","Jennifer Brzonski, representing the Ottawa County Community Action Agency, told commissioners July 8 that the agency served 1,387 individuals (842 households) in fiscal year 2024 and continues multiple programs including utility assistance, weatherization and food distribution.

Brzonski said the agency distributed roughly 232,000 pounds of food to local pantries through its emergency food assistance program and that the Commodity Supplemental Food Program (senior boxes) will be transitioned to five area pantries and the Salvation Army for distribution because the agency could not sustain the direct-delivery model on the funding available. \"Anybody that was already signed up for our program received a letter\" with the new pantry assignments, she said. The pantries listed in meeting materials include Coopersville Cares, Harvest Stand Ministries, Jehovah Jireh Ministries (Hudsonville), Love In Action (to be overseen by the Salvation Army in Grand Haven) and the Salvation Army Holland branch.

The agency said it weatherized 46 homes in FY24 and operates fee-for-service programs such as SEMCO-funded furnace or water-heater replacements and home energy education. Brzonski described the Walk for Warmth fundraiser and said state funding (the Michigan Energy Assistance Program) provides most utility-assistance funds; she said some federal pass-through grants and the Community Services Block Grant showed uncertainty in draft federal budgets and could affect future program capacity.

Brzonski said the agency is pursuing expanded outreach across the county, noting demographics show an ALICE (asset-limited, income-constrained, employed) population and that many households facing financial hardship are located in the southwest quadrant of the county. She said staff are working to improve countywide access and that the agency will coordinate with pantries on senior delivery needs where clients lack transportation.

Commissioners asked about the pantry transition and delivery for homebound seniors; Brzonski said the food program coordinator is working to identify homebound individuals and that pantries are exploring volunteer delivery options. No formal board action was recorded; the presentation was informational.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","July 8, 2025 Ottawa County Planning & Policy Committee Meeting","oneSentenceSummary","Ottawa County Community Action Agency reported serving nearly 1,400 individuals in FY24, distributed more than 232,000 pounds of food to pantries, weatherized 46 homes, and said the senior commodity food program will shift to local pantries because of low funding; agency cautioned some federal grants remain uncertain.","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},6511356,"Water Resources Commissioner outlines drain program workload, MS4 compliance and groundwater concerns",1474,3720000,5194000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5331680-f2cf82032a729543ad2eb7fa9883a34c&start=3720&end=5194","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5331680-f2cf82032a729543ad2eb7fa9883a34c/thumbnail_3720000.jpg","/articles/6511356/Ottawa-County/Michigan/Water-Resources-Commissioner-outlines-drain-program-workload-MS4-compliance-and-groundwater-concerns","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6511356-4c2f29efd6f6b8cf21d2152f2b813ead/orig.mp4?Expires=1775103531&Signature=EEaCmBNg-L6~jOQJcBb5HWsuaJ9ObZYIHpeRFKJW93WwCFyQu9n8ihck6xAiNQMkFrWymnZl25uOp3pkMMWHhoFQFzAYX58CZ0X4Vsg79XQQl3Y89rpDrTLMhfRw0ko0ClNxuS~5vCBRmOyZgUY2PAjUB-dfJmexulM1gyGYXXbbB6nzOT7Agtdmw5czs4C0fqk0hFEQ5Qqcem1iu99BbzBbajoWiK28IboM4HcCNAg80HHenaoRZ5DABaO8PAmlphL7NPrqFt-Skiw88zdmG816cBYjjVySbqf~m---cniO52yMI86o1-vUriK0UMOCwp6ooLZFfgPYdab2ru3a~g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Joe Bush, the Ottawa County Water Resources Commissioner, gave a detailed report July 8 on the department's responsibilities under Michigan's drain code, daily maintenance workload, permitting activity and an emerging countywide groundwater concern.

Bush said the department issues soil erosion permits (965 active permits in 2024, 630 new in 2024) and runs the county's MS4 municipal separate storm sewer system program. He told commissioners the office identified about 8,000 catch basins in 2024, inspected 300 outfalls that year (all passed water tests), maintained roughly 310 ponds and completed more than 400 inspection reports. He said the office runs GIS mapping for drains and ponds and uses a revolving fund for urgent repairs; the county raised that revolver from $175,000 to $1 million in 2024 to lower reliance on short-term drain notes.

Bush said the department has one drain inspector plus his office for roughly a thousand drains and that he has requested an additional inspector to handle workload and potential orphan-drain petitions. He said Georgetown Township is considering petitioning to transfer about 500 orphan drains to county authority and that Holland Township has been transferring orphans at a rate of about five a year.

A major portion of Bush's remarks addressed groundwater and aquifer recharge. He said some newly developed subdivisions and private wells are struggling with falling water levels in certain areas and that deeper bedrock aquifers are not recharging as expected. \"There are subdivisions that are starting to dry up, and there's no municipal water,\" he said, noting Zaeland/Zeeland and Borculo areas as examples discussed by callers. He described work with the groundwater board and with farmers on water-control structures, and said he returned from study visits in the Netherlands that informed potential water-management approaches. Bush said monitoring gauges and data collection are priorities before the county can design long-term interventions.

Commissioners asked about dam inspections, remote control of gate structures, coordination with road commissions on sinkholes and mowing, and the department's contractor and engineering partners. Bush said he coordinates with local farmers and the county's emergency manager during high-rain events, that eight dams under county authority are inspected on three-year cycles per EGLE requirements, and that many operational details are set up with local contractors and engineering firms.

Bush's presentation included cost drivers and the volume of petitioned maintenance work, and he emphasized the county's role in preparedness for heavy-rain events and the need for more monitoring to guide long-term groundwater strategy.","Ottawa County Water Resources Commissioner Joe Bush described drain maintenance workload, soil erosion permits, MS4 stormwater program activity, pond and catch-basin inspections, a revolving drain fund, and growing concern about groundwater recharge and drying shallow wells.",{"_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},6511360,"Ottawa County public health issues seasonal safety reminders; mosquito samples test positive for West Nile and Jamestown Canyon virus",554,3535000,4089000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5331680-f2cf82032a729543ad2eb7fa9883a34c&start=3535&end=4089","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5331680-f2cf82032a729543ad2eb7fa9883a34c/thumbnail_3535000.jpg","/articles/6511360/Ottawa-County/Michigan/Ottawa-County-public-health-issues-seasonal-safety-reminders-mosquito-samples-test-positive-for-West-Nile-and-Jamestown-Canyon-virus","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6511360-1f9d1604b00c4ded1ef2ebdfafa33ced/orig.mp4?Expires=1775103531&Signature=CEcNGMJ5mBBwiFTFaiVVlasWZq94WzGV91vLjLu-LG3kQ1IaWpcABVKVRELQDLwoIaAlViSPrWGR1ogeIthecpBO3JtrU0tufoO-ZiooEn1tdvu4RueYUpGHC89HQeNooWMhnRkTF2F5Zojwwm9qh3p1mrqyq1Z5Ja6ljYtLlL5Qm~JlZ-zh8oLtbSjkA6XQm4odMoA8EfjAcV0VwmQLOoqT9UEgXd5e444jGTMzl07t62rhW-Sunm8-F7mjRdxcKVTW4F910YwxEJ9kqlMzJTIXDq1-AYHc-0fo0VZqUcR7ilnfzPFDUpBBbOrSuqyve1IP2CCL5oe9uBtj9TT8RQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Adeline, the Ottawa County public health officer, told the board July 8 that the department is conducting seasonal water-safety outreach, weekly beach water sampling and mosquito surveillance after a weekend that included multiple drowning deaths statewide.

\"We sample our beaches once a week for water quality,\" Adeline said. Results are posted on the county website and advisories are issued if bacteria counts are high. She said county staff are also monitoring areas where Grand Haven judging and beach deposition previously correlated with increased bacteria counts and are working with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers on sampling.

Adeline said mosquito testing has returned a positive West Nile virus pool and a positive result for Jamestown Canyon virus, which she described as a new detection for the county. \"There are infected mosquitoes in the community,\" she said, and advised residents to use insect repellent and take personal prevention steps. The public health officer noted the department is also sharing information on tick bite prevention.

Adeline said the health department is preparing a fee study of its environmental health charges (restaurant licenses, well and septic permits) that have not been updated since 2018; staff and MGT Consulting are reviewing fees and a proposal is expected in August. She also noted a Parks-hosted program on ticks and mosquitoes scheduled for 6 p.m. at Hemlock Crossing.

No formal policy action was recorded on these updates; the public health officer offered to respond to any questions from commissioners and to provide materials online.","The county public health officer said beach water sampling, water-safety outreach after holiday drownings, and mosquito surveillance showing West Nile and Jamestown Canyon virus are active priorities this summer.",{"_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},6511365,"County approves purchase of 184.79 acres from Grand Rapids Gravel to expand Bend-area open space",238,3350000,3588000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5331680-f2cf82032a729543ad2eb7fa9883a34c&start=3350&end=3588","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5331680-f2cf82032a729543ad2eb7fa9883a34c/thumbnail_3350000.jpg","/articles/6511365/Ottawa-County/Michigan/County-approves-purchase-of-18479-acres-from-Grand-Rapids-Gravel-to-expand-Bend-area-open-space","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6511365-ad1ea26734f6008d5309320ba943cb65/orig.mp4?Expires=1775103531&Signature=bSSXsKLpLSG7v0x7gijgFe8gM~2vdBs19b4vhmVgv-HzbDGoJB6mrw0Ello35LnzMresE3BHBwF6lCi1ryrkYHiUvxNJ1~6eJEc0Rbq7SjzYDw2FAvPMBmciqMBOk5qoe6xDFcDWDOJ99lJjv51l2tMdOG4s0xh5YFCZGGEOLQvttqHBvvVlFUp0-Xa8I2e5pJVlMSY8MKMRXJCWKKnv~XJzLe9UX~TUpOPKKciF-DbGb6erF-BmPMh4XPbXKQ0aulAdqrAhgyDnRshYlXuPyn1IXpKolj-yzWMTxyKCEf-IGcGEufqkSSugpCsSEO3KsBvF3vxg3jpMi-zPs72OEw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Ottawa County Board of Commissioners voted July 8 to approve a purchase agreement and a license and reclamation agreement with Grand Rapids Gravel Company to acquire 184.79 acres to expand the Bend-area open space.

The purchase, presented by county staff during the meeting, includes seller obligations to complete site reclamation consistent with applicable mining licenses and township requirements. Commissioners voted to authorize county staff to execute closing, recording and reclamation documents and approved an increase in the capital projects budget for CPAY-2102, Bend Area Expand Acquisition Phase 3, of $1,179,407.36. Funding for the acquisition was noted in the meeting packet as coming from the Ottawa County Parks Fund (CParks 208) and the Ottawa County Parks Foundation.

A county representative explained the parcel will expand the existing roughly 450-acre Bend-area open space by about 184 acres and includes open water and developable land on the property's southwest portion. Under the agreement, Grand Rapids Gravel has 150 days after closing to complete reclamation activities described in the license and reclamation agreement and in an included grading plan. County staff said portions of the property could be opened to the public about 90 days after closing, with reclamation work continuing into spring and a dedication planned for the following spring if schedules proceed as expected.

Roll call for the motion recorded commissioners voting \"Yes;\" the clerk declared the motion passed.

The agreement also states the acquisition will be done in conjunction with a Department of Natural Resources Trust Fund grant and support from the Ottawa County Parks Foundation, according to materials presented at the meeting. County staff said they anticipated an August closing if timelines and grant processes proceed as planned.","The board approved a purchase and reclamation agreement with Grand Rapids Gravel Company to acquire 184.79 acres for park expansion and approved a $1,179,407.36 budget increase for the project, with completion of reclamation specified in the agreement.",{"_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},6511369,"CMH says Robert Brown crisis residential unit closed after partners withdrew, citing cost",291,314000,605000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5331680-f2cf82032a729543ad2eb7fa9883a34c&start=314&end=605","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5331680-f2cf82032a729543ad2eb7fa9883a34c/thumbnail_314000.jpg","/articles/6511369/Ottawa-County/Michigan/CMH-says-Robert-Brown-crisis-residential-unit-closed-after-partners-withdrew-citing-cost","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6511369-df5ccd4cb7d797e3fa0d3ab4f444354b/orig.mp4?Expires=1775103531&Signature=hR6O5NebiuM7gxI~b-MdXiEHG3M2ZrSx3BUIUR9DemngfU6LSJkb9eUaHXBJWaxV7H0eTcPOPLxN~ARwSHPH37HvSZ4Cjr~5cfT7zZbL70qQBUviit3d8xSKa0jjAQS1pnrsz7vAaGGtOKYAyOQDZaxhqMZt8TSLuyVjlF7Ol7UNPXm~xHE3ztkldeWzDjNi1A-su4qlpXJuloKllniSfjNVF-I~JDdfNvHWKGtRpPT~2R~l85C2EqTe4tmrZUpossp9kYiDj6OY97e7Bln2zuHwRToBMeqqP4dYBhrcXKXOS3B6KWhRL6LzU5mzO0H0lVcYGWRt9585bDHRNhQncQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Michael Brashears, CEO of Community Mental Health of Ottawa County, told the Ottawa County Board of Commissioners on July 8 that the Robert Brown crisis residential program was closed after partner counties pulled out and operating costs made continued service unsustainable.

The Robert Brown unit provided short-term crisis residential care intended to divert people from psychiatric hospitalization. \"It's a temporary place. People go anywhere between three to seven days, a maximum of 14 days,\" Brashears said. He said the program operated as a six-bed facility run by Hope Network and that Ottawa County had been contracting to prepay two of those beds.

Brashears said Allegan and Muskegon counties initially participated but withdrew at the start of the fiscal year because they had other resources available. He told commissioners the cost to prepay beds at Hope Network was \"over $600 a day\" and that after reviewing first-quarter spending CMH had spent \"over $185,000 on empty beds.\" He said CMH could instead divert people to other crisis programs that charge about $400 a day and that Holland Hospital has agreed to accept patients into a partial-hospitalization program as an alternative.

Brashears offered to share a staff analysis with the full commission that detailed the fiscal impacts and the decision process. He said CMH believes existing alternatives will allow the agency to continue diverting people from psychiatric hospitalization without maintaining the Robert Brown contract.

No formal action by the board was recorded on the matter during the July 8 meeting; Brashears presented the closure during public comment and the commission asked no formal questions beyond inviting him to send the analysis to the full commission.

The discussion made clear the unit was a contracted, multi-county resource rather than permanent housing, and Brashears said the decision to stop prepaid contracting with Hope Network was by mutual agreement because CMH could not justify the fiscal cost of unused beds.","Community Mental Health reported the Robert Brown crisis residential program closed after partner counties stopped participating and contract costs left Ottawa County paying for unused beds.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Community Action Agency reports FY24 service levels, senior food program shifts and federal funding uncertainty

Water Resources Commissioner outlines drain program workload, MS4 compliance and groundwater concerns

Ottawa County public health issues seasonal safety reminders; mosquito samples test positive for West Nile and Jamestown Canyon virus

County approves purchase of 184.79 acres from Grand Rapids Gravel to expand Bend-area open space

CMH says Robert Brown crisis residential unit closed after partners withdrew, citing cost