Ottawa County commissioners agree to aim for Friday release of administrator finalists after debate over transparency

Ottawa County commissioners signaled on Sept. 2 that they will aim to release the names of finalists for the county administrator role on Friday, after a multihour discussion balancing candidate confidentiality with public transparency.

The conversation began when County Administrator Gary (County Administrator, Ottawa County) told the board that staff had prepared a news release to publish candidates’ names “this weekend” and that it would go out Monday morning. Commissioners pressed for earlier disclosure so residents would have more time to review and respond ahead of interviews scheduled next week. "I'd like more than two days to hear from my constituents," Commissioner Jacob said. Several commissioners suggested Thursday or Friday would be preferable; others urged deference to candidates who had asked for a later release.

The matter drew repeated exchanges about timing and process. Commissioner Ron (interim chair, Ottawa County Board of Commissioners) said he had been communicating with candidates and described one who was "teetering on the edge" about moving forward if names were released earlier. After discussion, commissioners generally agreed to try for a Friday release and for Ron to give a courtesy heads-up to the candidate who had expressed concern. Gary confirmed staff had been coordinating release timing with the chair and vice chair.

Why it matters: the county is hiring an administrator who will lead county operations and manage an approximately $300 million budget. Commissioners said public input is important to the legitimacy of the process, while some stressed that candidates’ confidentiality and employment concerns must be respected so finalists will participate in the interview process.

Board members also discussed the schedule and format for interviews. The plan described in the meeting calls for a citizen work group to interview three candidates in the morning and two in the afternoon on Sept. 8, with a livestream available and a written report to commissioners expected either the evening of Sept. 8 or the next morning. Board interviews are scheduled for Sept. 10. Commissioners debated whether to narrow the field (for example, from five to two) before a final vote or to go from five to one during the board decision, with several commissioners expressing a preference to narrow before a final vote to build consensus.

Commissioners raised procedural questions about the citizen work group. Some asked whether the interviews and the group's recommendations should be formally noticed under the state Open Meetings Act; staff said they had spoken with the county attorney and an Open Meetings Act attorney and would confirm notice requirements in writing before the end of the week. Commissioners asked that the citizen work group process be livestreamed and that staff provide a standardized report sheet to summarize the group’s reactions.

Several commissioners suggested alternatives to in-person facility tours for finalists. Staff said a video of county facilities prepared earlier would be used as a substitute, although commissioners did not foreclose limited in-person visits for finalists if needed.

The board did not take a formal vote altering the release date during the meeting. Instead, the discussion ended with direction for Ron to notify the candidate raising concerns and for staff to target a Friday release unless material objections arise.

Ending: The county will proceed with a citizen work group interview process on Sept. 8, a round of board interviews on Sept. 10, and staff indicated they would publish finalist names shortly before that schedule; commissioners asked for at least a short public notice window so residents can provide input before final action.