[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-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],{"_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",6483920,"mediaKeyId","5551065-6f481fd6af7466da5ba197b01011a6f7","parentId",5551065,"title","Sheriff urges priority for jail mental‑health pod; proposes three‑district patrol model to improve supervision","audioSeconds",579,"startMs",2904000,"endMs",3483000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5551065-6f481fd6af7466da5ba197b01011a6f7&start=2904&end=3483","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5551065-6f481fd6af7466da5ba197b01011a6f7/thumbnail_2904000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6483920/Ottawa-County/Michigan/Sheriff-urges-priority-for-jail-mentalhealth-pod-proposes-threedistrict-patrol-model-to-improve-supervision","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6483920-7ca9496f2569d47d554440e597a7f96a/orig.mp4?Expires=1770989119&Signature=WJ9A-sZkwDba3HpQPtt-aY4HldtrZO8~iaS2~7Bl0CLFhctEZBc25tSRwttZO8GaRC6mkXF-HmQiehY03jB6Pz15ENVW09b87Hg545z1enySWxj6cwyud5k2wZ88VRRFmF-hflXXnIJ5tLj2PLhNBZTc8wD~fkG3j9Z8ukklPRT57pshJ1mm8DTUffRb2DyL72VEgPbc8RiAFy4OacJ3kOAhvxaQ8yAEKW~mJKo--D8p4IViy6Di19lsoschuy57ZAmKkMOQyVwtmX62b3R7hPJ1wJUCD~0Qk20uP2ygvrj7WlenHifA8ZOjnsKqvRap-yz6FIx99RTwy2mnzzz5mA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","miOttawa","date","2025-08-06T06:08:37.853Z","article","Sheriff Eric DeBoer briefed the Board of Commissioners on two related public‑safety items: the long‑standing proposal for a dedicated mental‑health pod inside the county correctional facility, and a reorganization that would move the sheriff's office to a three‑district patrol model to improve supervision and service.

On the mental‑health pod, DeBoer described the continuing and growing volume of detainees with mental‑health needs and the security and care challenges posed when those individuals are housed in general population or must be moved across the facility. \"A majority of people that we house in our correctional facility suffer from some sort of mental or mental health or medical issues,\" DeBoer said. He said prior planning work (engineering studies) was done under previous administrations and that earlier estimates were larger than the original request, which stalled the project. \"I reinstituted and resubmitted for a CIP,\" he said, adding that county staff and the sheriff's office are exploring partnerships with Community Mental Health to combine resources and grant funding.

On cost, commissioners and staff referenced historical planning figures. One commissioner asked for a ballpark; staff recalled prior estimates in the range of $3 million to $5 million. \"I think originally, it came in at 5,000,000, and that might have been... it would be significantly more than that with current construction costs,\" one participant said. DeBoer said plans and preliminary work exist and urged that the project be prioritized: \"I just wanna make sure that that does fall on our priority list as far as getting that done.\" Several commissioners said they had visited the jail and could see the need for a specialized pod.

Sheriff DeBoer also described an internal organizational change the office proposes to improve supervision and operational deployment: moving seven township‑funded sergeant positions gradually under county funding and adding a lieutenant to create three geographically based district headquarters. The change is intended to allow consistent local supervision, reduce mismatches between funding and deployment, and create clearer chain of command and mentoring opportunities for sergeants and deputies. \"We realized... while we had the personnel, we couldn't deploy them correctly because some of the supervisors... were being funded by townships,\" DeBoer said. He described a three‑year phase‑in with the county covering one‑third of the supervisory cost in year one, two‑thirds in year two and full funding in year three.

DeBoer said some township leaders have been receptive in informal conversations but added that detailed contract discussions would be needed if the board endorses the plan. Administrators confirmed the budget packet includes the first‑year position and a recommended transfer to support contracted deputies; implementation will require coordination with contracting municipalities.

Why it matters: A dedicated mental‑health pod and greater supervisory alignment for patrols would affect staff safety, detainee care, and long‑term operating costs. Both items would require multi‑year funding and coordination with outside partners and contracting jurisdictions.

What’s next: Commissioners asked administration and the sheriff for additional information and timeline options; staff said preliminary plans and historical engineering studies exist and can be shared. Commissioners directed staff to include the items in CIP/budget discussions and suggested further review at finance committee meetings.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","August 5, 2025 Ottawa County Board of Commissioners Special Meeting","oneSentenceSummary","Sheriff Eric DeBoer urged the Board of Commissioners to prioritize a dedicated mental‑health pod in the county jail and described a proposed three‑district patrol reorganization that would shift some township‑funded supervisor positions to county control over a three‑year phase‑in.","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},6483925,"Ottawa County presents recommended $305.3 million FY2026 budget; board sets public hearing for Sept. 2",6435,7046000,13481000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5551065-6f481fd6af7466da5ba197b01011a6f7&start=7046&end=13481","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5551065-6f481fd6af7466da5ba197b01011a6f7/thumbnail_7046000.jpg","/articles/6483925/Ottawa-County/Michigan/Ottawa-County-presents-recommended-3053-million-FY2026-budget-board-sets-public-hearing-for-Sept-2","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6483925-4f03dbfb92662d668ce3ade7106ff5db/orig.mp4?Expires=1770989119&Signature=odl6u5masoNyrlMOiEC0hnev0~HBc~SRsTe5BigvJiz1M52UlYrApKwg7cdHGNALO3aa3JLofE3E1NFAqXMlWgOZ4alKsQBVPZRoKAGd9A15ZzSnWGkJpWxMQkLSCEzupBQ9j3t43GqkgiSChQaod9piQmj0j49OROK2zDHmFSTCiggK7~PEe~eJxBRL7j3QgtuIIDM6Cv2RhInfKY9aBIz5TZxovTxJLnQpWTlOKSkFQqI-4qhc5XScDn7CxL2cd7zk66EnSBTIzPrinYfHKKx2ScJ0utOD3nplnJ4oZWiMNX46WdxH3jCZDCWHruk66DKmpX0h5-62NSUMamq~KQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","County administration presented the recommended fiscal year 2026 budget and walked the Board of Commissioners through key assumptions, projected revenues and recommended uses of fund balance.

\"The total fiscal year '26 recommended budget is $305,340,437,\" Staff member Karen said during the presentation. She told commissioners the increase from FY2025 is about 7.7 percent (7.2 percent excluding a newly included delinquent tax fund).

Administration's assumptions for the recommended budget include taxable value growth of 5.75 percent (3 percent new growth, 2.75 percent inflation), a 3 percent cost‑of‑living assumption for wages, a 3 percent health‑insurance increase effective Jan. 1, 2026, and continued receipt of certain grants where funding is expected to persist.

Karen explained how the budget treats fund balance and onetime resources. The recommended general fund uses an expected $2,924,778 of reserves; that figure includes a $2,000,000 line treated as department underspend and about $924,778 designated as planned uses (for example, contract and lawsuit‑related commitments and multi‑year grants). She described a practice of setting aside more contingency in the general fund because several positions were approved contingent on grant awards and some projects require flexibility.

The presentation highlighted programmatic changes and one‑time items, including:

- Continued investment in workforce and new positions ($3.3 million in new positions recommended and $6 million for current staffing levels), and a contingency to support potential implementation of a countywide wage study.
- Additional funding proposed to support Community Action Agency programming due to state and federal grant dynamics; the packet shows a transfer increase of under $300,000 to CAA to sustain staffing tied to federal CSBG grant constraints.
- Conversion of the sheriff’s body‑cam and in‑car camera deployments from a capital/insurance authority procurement into routine operational costs in the general fund.
- Capital investments including countybuilding automation, courthouse security upgrades, and a $1 million placeholder for Southwest Ottawa Landfill work (staff noted that estimate is under review and may change).

Commissioners asked specific questions about contingency, how the wage‑study implementation is budgeted, the timing of grants, and several projects such as the exterior door replacement and veteran services relocation. Karen said some positions approved earlier would remain contingent until supporting grant documentation or other approvals were final.

After presentation and questions, Commissioner (unnamed) moved and another commissioner seconded a motion to set a public hearing on the FY2026 budget for Tuesday, Sept. 2. The motion passed on voice vote: \"All in favor, say aye,\" an aye response followed and the chair said there were no objections.

Why it matters: The FY2026 budget binds county programs and capital funding; assumptions about taxable value growth, health‑insurance inflation, and the use of reserves determine whether the county meets its financial‑policy targets and maintains service levels.

What’s next: The FY2026 budget is scheduled for further review through planning and finance committee meetings; a public hearing will be held Sept. 2 and final board action is expected in late September so accounts can start Oct. 1.","County administration presented the recommended fiscal year 2026 budget, a $305.34 million total that relies on several assumptions (5.75% taxable value growth; 3% cost‑of‑living and health plan increases) and uses limited reserves. The board approved a motion to set a public hearing on the FY2026 budget for Sept. 2.",{"_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},6483928,"Ottawa County commissioners review five-year capital improvement plan; administrators propose building strategic plan",1708,371000,2079000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5551065-6f481fd6af7466da5ba197b01011a6f7&start=371&end=2079","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5551065-6f481fd6af7466da5ba197b01011a6f7/thumbnail_371000.jpg","/articles/6483928/Ottawa-County/Michigan/Ottawa-County-commissioners-review-five-year-capital-improvement-plan-administrators-propose-building-strategic-plan","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6483928-01883807823c01e93686fdc6b0f9ff76/orig.mp4?Expires=1770989119&Signature=iVwbSiKD2vDNxdoMsHA2J~QaCShP7o19lEL0dPXGy0NqMvTLCF1Nym8UVBQe0rLzOVGWfVrU6mTWvCvtmfKgN9~SvHIJjtP8IKkFDJSHiXnnnufmOaiJxX2o4OOWMPwun5ScL6edV6qcX8~~-okmtQMfSLobuQjdGc9AlMY55pPzZciGmG4b0okmSJ8kn2UW6Lq2tiRCQ2JmGygi2CYlShj0DgNHzsqNbs-4jQ148nNEcz3cGT0spsDW0VVwbGwCz6Q5opkWtsPJc5XPXjF3vnPDEYm7HkVPtqSLfdyc251nKjBKafjLigXabFYHs0mQPeMQTsutZTmOAY4E-j0FjQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","County administration presented a draft five‑year Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) covering fiscal years 2026–2030 and asked the Board of Commissioners to review the plan and the proposed next steps before formal consideration later this month.

\"This is a fiscal year 26 to 2030 plan,\" said Staff member Karen, the presentation lead, describing the CIP packet and how projects, funding sources, current approved amounts, encumbrances and unencumbered balances are shown. She told commissioners the packet combines countywide projects, including parks projects funded by the parks millage, so commissioners can see the county's overall capital needs in one document.

Karen said the plan lists projects already funded and those proposed for future years. She walked commissioners through several categories and examples, including countywide exterior door replacements (recommended in 2026), phased replacement of jail air‑handling units, a countywide building automation system (the administration estimates a roughly $4.3 million countywide project), elevator replacements, courtroom technology upgrades and courthouse single‑point‑of‑entry security stations modeled after the Family Justice Center.

\"New in 2026 is renovating the treasurer's office,\" Karen said, and described carry‑forward grant work at public health and ongoing park projects, such as the Ottawa Sands trail and Idema Explorers Camp.

Karen also flagged a new contingency line in the CIP to help the county respond to cost increases and unplanned developments that have affected prior projects: \"Really new conceptually to the plan this year is a contingency project... we created that as making it a little easier,\" she said, citing recent tariff and equipment‑cost pressures.

The presentation included a recommendation to add an implementation project for a countywide building strategic plan. Karen said that departments submit projects with broad and varied estimates and that a strategic plan would help the county evaluate project scope, timing, funding sources and priorities before assigning dollar amounts. \"There's a real need for a strategic plan built around space, department needs, growth,\" she said. She described the proposed approach as top‑down: identify priorities, evaluate fit and timing, and then place projects into the CIP with clearer cost estimates.

Commissioners asked for clarity on how the new \"holding‑pen\" line for strategic initiatives would work. One commissioner asked whether the item was \"a holding pen for ideas,\" noting the plan shows figures in different out‑years such as $1.2 million, $15,000 and $3.6 million. Karen confirmed the line is intended to capture ideas that need further study rather than firm project budgets and said she expects the strategic planning effort to produce clearer project estimates and scheduling.

Staff also reviewed recent CIP accomplishments, including completion of the sheriff's body‑worn and in‑car camera project with related facility renovations, a major server replacement, parking and paving work, and the Family Justice Center opening and related court consolidations.

Commissioners and staff discussed next steps and schedule: administration will continue departmental review; the CIP is scheduled for consideration on the board agenda August 26 and the fiscal year 2026 budget will incorporate the 2026 CIP projects. Project funding for 2026 would become available on October 1 if the budget proceeds as planned.

Why it matters: The CIP guides which county facilities and infrastructure projects will be funded and when. Creating a building strategic plan could change how projects are prioritized and timed across departments, affect grant applications and influence future tax‑supported spending.

What’s next: Staff will bring the CIP back through committee and the August 26 board agenda; public notices and the formal budget calendar remain in play. Commissioners asked that CIP materials be available to finance and planning committees for additional review before final action.","County staff presented a draft fiscal‑year 2026–2030 Capital Improvement Plan (CIP), outlining ongoing and proposed projects — from building automation and ADA work to courthouse security and parks — and recommended creating a countywide building strategic plan to guide long‑term facility decisions.","actionData","errors"]

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Sheriff urges priority for jail mental‑health pod; proposes three‑district patrol model to improve supervision

Ottawa County presents recommended $305.3 million FY2026 budget; board sets public hearing for Sept. 2

Ottawa County commissioners review five-year capital improvement plan; administrators propose building strategic plan