GRAND HAVEN, Mich. — During its organizational meeting the Ottawa County Board of Commissioners amended a resolution clarifying the chairperson’s one-year term, then elected new board leadership.

Commissioners debated whether a chair’s term should end on Dec. 31 or at the opening of the next organizational meeting and whether the county could be left without a chair for emergency decisions. Commissioners cited Michigan statutory language (MCL 46.3) and board rules in argument over possible gaps in authority. To address those concerns the board agreed to amended language stating that the term of the chair ‘‘shall begin upon election and end at the beginning of the following year's organizational meeting or at the end of the commissioner's elected term, whichever is first.’’ The amendment was put to a roll-call vote and recorded as passed.

Following that procedural item, the board elected a temporary chair to preside over officer elections and then held nominations for permanent leadership. Josh Brugger received a majority of votes and was elected chair; Phil Kyers was elected vice chair. The clerk administered oaths of office to both officials, who each affirmed support for the U.S. and state constitutions and committed to faithfully discharge their duties for Ottawa County.

During the debate several commissioners expressed practical concerns about emergency authority continuity, noting that in a rare emergency the chair is the final authority to declare certain county actions; others said the county’s emergency-management staff, administrator, clerk and sheriff provide operational continuity. Commissioners agreed to take up any needed board-rule adjustments in committee rather than addressing complex rule changes during the organizational meeting.

The newly elected chair closed the meeting after routine administrative approvals.

The board also scheduled a special organizational follow-up meeting for Jan. 13 to finalize appointments and committee assignments; no further changes to the chair’s term were made at this meeting.