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Ottawa County commissioners select Patrick Waterman in 7-4 ballot; authorize contract negotiations
Summary
After a months-long search and public comment, the Ottawa County Board of Commissioners chose Patrick Waterman as the county administrator candidate by a 7-4 ballot and authorized the chair to begin contract negotiations by a 7-4 roll-call vote.
The Ottawa County Board of Commissioners voted Sept. 12 to identify Patrick Waterman as its administrator candidate by a 7-4 ballot and then authorized the board chair to begin contract negotiations and return a proposed employment contract to the board for approval.
The vote followed public comment, a multi-month candidate review and an extended commissioner discussion in which supporters described Waterman as a steady, “day‑one” manager and critics said his selection would deepen divisions on the board and in the community.
Commissioners cast secret ballots that were read into the record. Seven commissioners voted for Patrick Waterman and four voted for Matthew Farrar. The board then voted 7-4 in a roll call to authorize the chair to negotiate with Waterman and bring a contract back to the board.
Supporters said Waterman’s municipal experience and familiarity with county staff make him ready to begin work immediately. "I support Patrick Waterman," said Joe Busch, Ottawa County water resources…
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