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Public comment urges Ottawa County to continue weatherization and energy efficiency work during FY2026 budget hearing
Summary
At a public hearing on the fiscal year 2026 Ottawa County budget, resident Ryan Cotton urged continued support for the county’s weatherization and energy-efficiency programs, citing lower utility bills and more affordable housing.
At a public hearing on the Ottawa County fiscal year 2026 budget Sept. 2, resident Ryan Cotton of Grand Haven urged commissioners to continue supporting the county’s weatherization and energy-efficiency programs.
“I would encourage you … to continue your support of that program,” Cotton said, citing results in his previous work as a city manager that produced “lower utility bills, higher efficiencies, a better place to live, more affordable homes.” He told commissioners his experience included work that led to “475 deep retrofits” in previous jurisdictions and urged using the county’s weatherization program as a foundation for similar efforts in northwest Ottawa County.
The board opened and closed the hearing by voice vote. Commissioners moved to open the public hearing to receive comments on the fiscal year 2026 budget and later moved to close the hearing; both motions carried by voice vote with no recorded roll-call tallies in the transcript. After Cotton’s remarks no other members of the public addressed the board during the hearing.
Ending: Commissioners will receive the citizen work group’s interview report after Sept. 8 and continue budget and hiring business in subsequent meetings. Cotton’s comments were entered into the hearing record and will be part of the public comment material for FY2026 budget consideration.
