News Articles

County Board Troubles

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County releases Wolf memo and declaration after FOIA faux pas

Published: October 31st, 2025 — Holland Sentinel

During a regular meeting of the Ottawa County Board of Commissioners on Oct. 28, officials agreed to waive attorney- client privilege in a declaration and memorandum from Human Resources Attorney Nate Wolf. The memo, obtained by The Sentinel through the Freedom of Information Act, speaks to accusations that Commissioner Joe Moss misled officials and forged documents related to the county’s separation with former senior executive aide Jordan Epperson.

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Epperson claimed Gibbs treated him as ‘his own personal servant’ while at Ottawa County

Published: October 30th, 2025 — Ottawa News Network

A complaint filed by former Ottawa County senior executive aide Jordan Epperson details an alleged toxic work environment under previous administrator John Gibbs and the board of commissioners.

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Released audio shows closed session on Epperson severance was heated in Ottawa County

Published: October 20th, 2025 — Holland Sentinel

Closed session audio released Oct. 20 reveals several former and current commissioners believed Ottawa County was responsible for reputational harm done to former executive aide Jordan Epperson, and therefore obligated to offer him a significant severance.

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Recordings: Moss pushed county board to approve $280K in controversial payouts despite no evidence of legal liability

Published: October 25th, 2025 — Ottawa News Network

Ottawa County’s former board chair Joe Moss issued a stark warning last winter to commissioners: Settle a staff privacy complaint immediately or face a civil lawsuit.

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Moss accused of forging document, misleading commissioners in separation with Epperson

Published: September 23rd, 2025 — Holland Sentinel

While an eventful meeting of the Ottawa County Board prepared to wrap-up Sept. 23, one commissioner accused another of forging a document and misleading officials to encourage a high-profile employee separation agreement in December 2024.

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Judge tosses out Crockery Lake contract, claims former county board overstepped authority

Published: September 23rd, 2025 — Ottawa News Network

A contract approved by the Ottawa County Board of Commissioners late last year to give more than $560,000 to Chester Township to “revitalize” Crockery Lake is not legally valid, a circuit court judge ruled Monday.

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County picks former deputy as next county administrator

Third time’s a charm: Ottawa County has finally selected its next permanent administrator. On Friday, Sept. 12, the board voted to appoint former deputy administrator Patrick Waterman to lead the county’s administration office.

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County picks former deputy as next county administrator as far-right faction cries foul

Published: September 12th, 2025 — Ottawa News Network

On Friday, Sept. 12, the board chose former deputy administrator Patrick Waterman to lead the county’s administration office.

Waterman was one of five finalists who went through two rounds of public interviews this week, after commissioners whittled a list of 58 applicants down to their top five picks and two alternates late last month.

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Ottawa County Administrator Search: Third Time’s the Charm

The search for County Administrator continues – it has been an incredibly fraught process. The Impact minority (Moss, Rhodea, Miedema, Wenzel) have stalled and blocked at every turn. The current argument is over whether resumes should be reviewed in closed session to assure the privacy of candidates who are currently employed, or if it should be open session. There is additional arguing over whether there should be a committee of citizens involved. The job description has been rewritten to include clarification that this is an apolitical job, it is administrative, not a political appointment.

In the previous search, Kendra Wenzel refused to review selected last round candidates because (as stated in a County Commission meeting) “We don’t know where these people stand on abortion.”

The Impact 4 will continue to politicize and create a difficult work environment for everyone this board hires.

The following articles include details on the search:

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Ottawa County Narrows Field to Five Finalists for Permanent Administrator
Published: August 26, 2025 — Holland Sentinel

Ottawa County commissioners selected five finalists and two alternates for the permanent administrator position through an open-ballot process, rejecting a proposal to deliberate in closed session. Interviews are scheduled for the week of September 8, 2025, with participation from both commissioners and a Citizen Work Group.

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 Ottawa Board to Jumpstart Administrator Search, Rescind Controversial Motto

Published: July 21, 2025 — Ottawa News Network
The Board has restarted its search for a County Administrator and simultaneously voted to rescind the “Where Freedom Rings” motto, a slogan critics say had divided the community.

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 Ottawa County Divided Over Admin Candidate Confidentiality—Again

Published: July 23, 2025 — Holland Sentinel
Board members were split during a July 22 meeting over whether applicant names should remain confidential. Some argue transparency is critical; others worry it could deter high-quality candidates.

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 Ottawa County Re-Launches Administrator Search

Published: July 16, 2025 — Holland Sentinel
The county restarted the search following the withdrawal of its only finalist and the resignation of its contracted search firm, Double Haul Solutions.

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 Watch: Ottawa County Relaunches Administrator Search (YouTube)

This local news segment gives an overview of the county’s ongoing challenges and renewed efforts to fill the top leadership role.

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Other News

Ottawa Impact loses board majority in primary

Read the full article on Bridge Michigan

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Group of Ottawa Co. churches forms coalition opposing Ottawa Impact

Read the full article on WZZM13

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In a thriving Michigan county, a community goes to war with itself
Read the full article on The Washington Post

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Press Release – April 5, 2023 – “Integrity” Spreads Eastward from Ottawa to Livingston County”
Read press release from Ottawa Integrity

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Groups form coalition against Ottawa Impact
https://hollandsentinel-mi.newsmemory.com/?publink=46f951ad5_134aa09

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County residents angered over Ottawa Impact policies
https://www.hollandsentinel.com/story/news/politics/county/2023/01/16/county-residents-angered-over-ottawa-impact-policies-form-coalition-to-vote-them-out-in-2024/69810806007/

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Community members band together against Ottawa County commissioners
https://www.wzzm13.com/article/news/local/community-members-band-together-against-ottawa-county-commissioners/69-245ca51d-3d36-4f91-b9f4-ec2f1e882feb?fbclid=IwAR3iIEL9O_DN_kuYSxstq7k36C1FB_PKO-lCVQmFUc_Z2hsGwBgG5JP8NDU&mibextid=Zxz2cZ#lcsbs0p2mikp1vljybd

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Allendale schools pick new law firm
https://hollandsentinel-mi.newsmemory.com/?publink=56f951ad5_134aa09

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Did the majority of Ottawa County support Ottawa Impact at the polls? Data says, no.
https://www.hollandsentinel.com/story/news/politics/county/2023/01/22/did-the-majority-of-ottawa-county-support-ottawa-impact-at-the-polls-the-data-says-no/69823817007/

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Lawsuit: Health officer says Ottawa Impact commissioners targeted her
https://www.hollandsentinel.com/story/news/courts/2023/02/13/lawsuit-health-officer-says-ottawa-impact-commissioners-targeted-her/69896907007/