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Board debates next steps in administrator search; chair aims to resume process in September
Summary
Board members and public commenters debated the county administrator search. The chair said the board has an active pool of candidates and plans to notify existing applicants, reopen the search in late August and resume review on Sept. 1; some public speakers urged appointment of a candidate to avoid further delay.
The Ottawa County Board of Commissioners spent substantial time June 24 discussing next steps in the county administrator search and hearing public comments urging resolution. Public speakers urged clarity and timeliness: Michael Curas (speaker 8) urged the board to appoint Colonel Michael Tremblay, saying the county should avoid indefinite delay; Sheila Delof (speaker 12) recommended considering internal candidates who understand county dynamics.
Chair told the public the administrator search remains the board’s top priority but said there is no current emergency and the county has an active candidate pool (the chair said more than 30 candidates have expressed interest). The chair said the board will reach out to candidates on the existing Doublehaugh list to confirm continued interest, will accept new applicants and plans to open the process publicly toward the end of August with review beginning Sept. 1.
Commissioners discussed process options and timing; some supported adding a deputy or assistant hire as a parallel step to provide administrative capacity. Multiple commissioners thanked interim leaders (Gary and Ron) for managing county operations during the search and asked staff to return with a proposed schedule. The board emphasized that candidates would not need to refile prior applications from the previous search firm and that the board will contact applicants to confirm status.
