Latest news with #BoardofCommissioners
Yahoo
13-06-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Ottawa County commissioners hold off on administrator decision
OLIVE TOWNSHIP, Mich. (WOOD) — With all but one finalist having dropped out of the running to be the next Ottawa County administrator, the Board of Commissioners did not make a decision on hiring Thursday. The board with U.S. Army Col. Michael Tremblay, speaking to him for about a 1.5 hours. But the board was not prepared to vote on whether or not to hire him, with commissioners saying they wanted time to consider next steps and additional candidates. The the search will resume during the board's June 24 meeting. The it wanted to pick a candidate this month, with the goal of the new administrator starting in late July or early August. It's unclear whether that timeline is still viable. Tremblay told commissioners he thinks he would be a good fit for the job, but acknowledged their 'demanding job' with 'a lot of competing interests.' 'You're going to go back and make a decision, drive on. I appreciate the opportunity to be here. And if ultimately decide to go a different way or do something else, I totally get that, too,' he said. 'I will tell you this: I think I would do a great job for Ottawa County. I think I do a great job for the commissioners. I think I do a great job for the county.' 1 candidate remains as Ottawa County seeks new administrator He was the only remaining finalist after four others pulled their names from consideration. Mark Eisenbarth, currently the Muskegon County administrator, withdrew Tuesday. Glen Salyer, currently a deputy county administrator in Florida, withdrew Monday. 'We lost four candidates and maybe one left … because of how we acted in our board meeting last week, but the others did not. There were legitimate reasons why people withdrew. And so among the board commissioners and throughout the community, nobody should be pointing fingers at anybody about where we are,' Board Chair John Teeples said. The the board's June 4 meeting was contentious as commissioners disagreed about whether discussion of a number of administrator candidates should be in public or in closed session. 'Nobody has a right to take credit. Nobody has a right to point (fingers). This is just part of the process, I think, and circumstances the way they are. So I think from that standpoint, we could all just take a breath, right? Remember we're on a common cause to find the absolute best under the circumstances,' Teeples said Thursday. Nearly all the board members are Republicans, but they are split into two factions. One is members backed by conservative political action committee Ottawa Impact. The other is Republicans unaffiliated with that group and includes . 'The last two times, we've lost a lot of candidates. And I think we, as a board, have a responsibility,' Teeples said. 'We are the face of the county and how we act gets out on social media, it's in the newspapers, it's in the national press. We need to be leaders that that that people can't go on YouTube and say, 'I don't want to go there.' We think, we all believe that Ottawa County is the plum colony of the state of Michigan. But people coming from the outside, they may not see that in us because of how we as a commission act.' 'I think our community needs to see us start to get along so that we can heal this county and have be less divisive,' he added. Ottawa County has been since February 2024, when then- board Chair Joe Moss and Ottawa Impact , whom they had during their first meeting in January 2023. Jon Anderson, a candidate for sheriff last year, filled the role on an interim basis before in October 2024. Deputy Administrator temporarily stepped in before he reached a severance agreement with the board in December. Gary Rosema, a former Ottawa County sheriff, has been since January. He said all along he would not take the job long-term and hoped to be done in about six months. The next county administrator will make between $200,000 and $260,000, according to a job description shared with commissioners in April. —News 8's Byron Tollefson contributed to this report. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
11-06-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
See who won the primary election for three Bergen County Commissioners seats
The incumbent Democratic candidates for Bergen County's Board of Commissioners claimed the nominations on June 10 to run for reelection in November against three Republican challengers. Bergen County's incumbent Democratic commissioners Tom Sullivan, Mary Amoroso and Germaine Ortiz won the primary election against three challengers — Chris Chung, John Vitale and Dolores Witko — who were backed by Jersey City Mayor Steve Fulop, who lost his bid for the Democratic gubernatorial nomination to Assemblywoman Mikie Sherrill. Sullivan, Amoroso and Ortiz, who were backed by the county Democratic committee, garnered 34,432 votes, 39,448 votes and 32,961 votes, respectively, according to unofficial vote totals as of Wednesday morning. Former Palisades Park Mayor Chris Chung, former Bergen County Democratic Organization state Assembly candidate John Vitale and former Closter Councilwoman Dolores Witko received 27,407 votes, 23,958 votes and 21,887 votes, respectively. They will face Republican candidates Jeffrey 'Jay' Costa Jr., Linda Barba and Andrea Slowikowski, who ran with support from the county GOP organization, won their party's nomination against Armen Azarnia and John Dinice, according to unofficial vote totals. NJ elections: Has NJ ever had a female governor? What states have female governors now? During the campaign, Amoroso, the vice chairwoman of the commissioners, said that she and her running mates are dedicated to building a strong future for everyone, citing increased funding for special education programs and the planned opening of a new career and technical school later this year. She was first elected to public office in 2015 to the Mahwah Township Council and is running for a third term as a commissioner. Ortiz, the chairwoman of the Board of Commissioners, was first elected in 2016. A financial analyst for more than two decades, she said she was focused on improving residents' quality of life while maintaining fiscal discipline and expanding on shared services agreements across the county. Sullivan was first elected to the county board in 2015. In 2021, he was nominated by Murphy and confirmed by the Senate to the New Jersey Health Care Facilities Financing Authority. Vitale, Chung and Witko were hoping to take advantage of the elimination of the party line on ballots. With the new ballot, the candidates believed they might reach voters who in the past may have voted down the line, which would group candidates who won the backing of county political parties. The practice led to keeping the same people in office and the county hadn't seen a competitive Democratic primary for the Board of Commissioners in years. On Tuesday, however, even with the new ballots, both Democratic and Republican candidates who had support from their parties secured the nominations to run in November's general election. 'While I'm disappointed with the outcome of the primary, I want to give my heartfelt thanks to everyone who supported our campaign and believed in our vision for Bergen County,' Chung said. This article originally appeared on See Bergen County Commissioners primary election results for 2025
Yahoo
11-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Matthews to require annual audit of one organization after setting nonprofit funding threshold
MATTHEWS, N.C. (QUEEN CITY NEWS) — Matthews is going to require all organizations that receive at least $50,000 from the town to submit an annual audit – but only one group qualifies at this time. The Board of Commissioners initially was to consider requiring the audit for either all nonprofits who use town funds or annually receive direct or in-kind support excess of $75,000. A compromise of sorts was made, coming up with the $50,000 figure since it aligned with IRS tax-exempt guidelines. This threshold only covers the Matthews Alive festival. 'Is no one else concerned that Matthews Alive is the only organization from which we're requiring an audit,' asked Mayor John Higdon. Commissioner Gina Hoover agreed. Matthews approves agreement with CMS board to construct Discovery Place on elementary campus The multi-day festival is a staple of Labor Day weekend, held annually at Stumptown Park with a parade, live music, vendors and more. 'This board was so challenged by Matthews Alive for so many years, and now we're no longer concerned?' asked a frustrated Commissioner Ken McCool. 'I just don't understand how we continuously do this.' Town Attorney Daniel Peterson noted that from a legal standpoint, 'this is a lawful exercise of treating people differently.' Outgoing Town Manager Becky Hawke said she's explained to festival leaders the reasoning for singling them out for this potential policy. 'They receive significantly more funding, significantly more in-kind support than any other organization in town,' she said. 'There is wide margin, and when you add in in-kind support provided to Matthews Alive, that pushes them beyond six figures. That was where I felt comfortable creating the differential in the threshold.' Hawke added that there's another nonprofit that has requested more funding, and given commissioners' support later this year, would pass the $50,000 mark. 'For these other organizations, we essentially cut them a check and don't have direct involvement in anything else that they do,' she said. 'It's much different with Matthews Alive. We are intently involved in that event. That was the difference.' North Carolina statute states that if a city or county grants or appropriates $1,000 or more in any fiscal year to a nonprofit organization, the municipality may require that the group have an audit performed. If the nonprofit has an annual budget of less than $300,000, the town will provide an additional $5,000 in annual support to complete the audit. The policy was approved unanimously. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
09-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
June 9-13: Ottawa to interview admin candidates, Zeeland to host hearing on Mead Johnson
In 2025, The Sentinel is providing a weekly round-up of the biggest topics in upcoming municipal meetings, giving our readers a chance to engage with their local officials on the projects, appointments and decisions that hit closest to home. These round-ups are written on Fridays, and will not include an agenda if one hasn't been posted by 1 p.m. Municipalities are not required by the Michigan Open Meetings Act to provide an agenda in advance of a meeting, but they are required to provide notice. Please visit your local municipality website for the most updated information. Here are the biggest topics for meetings Monday-Friday, June 9-13: Planning and Policy Committee: 9 a.m. Tuesday, June 10, at the Ottawa County Fillmore Street Complex An agenda was not immediately available Finance and Administration: 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, June 10, at the Ottawa County Fillmore Street Complex An agenda was not immediately available Board of Commissioners Special Meeting: 9 a.m. Thursday, June 12, at the Ottawa County Fillmore Street Complex A meeting to interview candidates for Ottawa County Administrator Board of Commissioners: 9 a.m. Tuesday, June 12, at the Allegan County Services Building An agenda was not immediately available Holland Board of Public Works: 4 p.m. Monday, June 9, at the Holland Board of Public Works Service Center The agenda includes: Consideration of a motion to approve a Resolution of Appreciation for Mutual Aid provided to HBPW by the Zeeland Board of Public Works, Hillsdale Board of Public Works, Niles Utilities Department, and Lowell Light and Power Consideration of a motion to approve a contract value increase with CTC Technology and Energy for $118,000 for Change Order #1, plus an additional contingency of $135,000, for a new total contract value of $764,951. Consideration of a motion to approve an increase in the EX2 Engineering and Construction Contract contingency of $300,000, for a new approved contract price of $17,864,961.20. Consideration of a motion to approve a contract with Utility Contracting Co. for Fiscal Year 2026. Read the agenda: Planning Commission: 5 p.m. Tuesday, June 10, at Holland City Hall The agenda includes: Review of Unified Development Ordinance Section 39-2.16 Industrial Zone District and Section 39-3.13 Building Envelope Overview Table Consideration of a rezoning request and site plan review from Resthaven for 740 College Ave. and 49 E. 32nd St. and 11 E. 32nd St. The plan includes constructing a building addition, a parking lot, a driveway entrance and to combine all three properties into a single PUD. Consideration of a special land use request and site plan review for 1033 Lincoln Ave. The plan includes a Speedway fuel station, a seven-slot auto canopy and a full access driveway. Read the agenda: City Council Study Session: 6 p.m. Wednesday, June 11, at Holland City Hall The agenda includes: An update on Windmill Island Gardens from General Manager Matt Helmus Read the agenda: Board of Public Works Board of Commissioners: 3:30 p.m. Monday, June 10, at the Water Warehouse Meeting Room An agenda was not immediately available Cemetery and Parks Commission: 5 p.m. Wednesday, June 11, at Zeeland City Hall An agenda was not immediately available Planning Commission: 6 p.m. Thursday, June 11, at Howard Miller Community Center An agenda was not immediately available An expected public hearing for a rezoning request at 605 and 633 E. Main Ave. — submitted by applicant Mead Johnson as part of a draft expansion plan City Council: 6:30 p.m. Monday, June 9, at Saugatuck City Hall The agenda includes: Consideration of a motion to change the city's fee schedule Consideration of a motion to enter closed session to conduct an annual personnel evaluation of the city manager Read the agenda: Planning Commission : 6 p.m. Thursday, June 12, at Douglas City Hall An agenda was not immediately available Planning Commission: 6 p.m. Tuesday, June 10, at Fennville City Hall An agenda was not immediately available Board of Trustees: 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, June 11, at the Port Sheldon Township Offices The agenda includes: Consideration of a motion to approve a resolution for firefighter Olivia Ohlman Consideration of a motion to assume and assign a contract for Pierce Pumper/Tanker Consideration of a motion to approve the MERS Surplus Division Consideration of a motion regarding extra storm clean-up compensation Read the agenda: Board of Trustees: 6:30 p.m. Thursday, June 12, at Park Township Offices An agenda was not immediately available Planning Commission: 7 p.m. Tuesday, June 10, at Zeeland Township Hall The agenda includes: Consideration of a site plan review from T Bosgraaf Homes for a 9-unit condominium development at 7400, 4394 and 7386 Byron Road Read the agenda: Township Board: 6 p.m. Wednesday, June 11, at Laketown Township Hall The agenda includes: Hearing a report from the Laketown Parks and Recreation Commission Updates regarding the municipality's manager search A discussion regarding options for Wolters House A discussion on short-term rentals Read the agenda: Township Board: 7 p.m. Tuesday, June 10, at Ganges Township Hall A public hearing regarding the proposed budget and property tax millage rate Township Board: 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, June 10, at Overisel Township Hall An agenda was not immediately available Board of Trustees: 6 p.m. Wednesday, June 11, at Saugatuck Township Hall An agenda was not immediately available — Cassidey Kavathas is the politics and court reporter at The Holland Sentinel. Contact her at ckavathas@ Follow her on Twitter @cassideykava. This article originally appeared on The Holland Sentinel: June 9-13: Big meetings coming in Ottawa County, Zeeland, Holland
Yahoo
06-06-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Ocean County GOP primary: Former prosecutor challenges commissioner for county clerk
TOMS RIVER — A Manchester attorney and former Ocean County assistant prosecutor is challenging the incumbent director of the Board of Commissioners for the Republican nomination for county clerk this year, in Tuesday's state primary election. Rory Wells, who turned 56 on Friday, is running against longtime Commissioner Jack Kelly, 73, who is the Ocean County Republican Party's official choice for clerk. However, for the first time, registered Republican voters in New Jersey are going to the polls in a primary contest in which there are no so-called county lines. Democratic voters did so for the first time last year. Before going into private law practice in 2018, Wells, a former Marine, served as an assistant prosecutor for 14 years in the county Prosecutor's Office. In addition to case work, Wells spent much of his time focused on community outreach. He was also a criminal law instructor at the Ocean County Police Academy in Lakewood and previously served on Manchester's planning board, open space advisory committee and environmental commission. Wells is running against the GOP political machine in the county as an 'America First Republican,' while Kelly has come up through the county GOP organization, for which he serves as president. A former mayor of Eagleswood who was first elected to the formerly-named Board of Freeholders in 1992, Kelly is now the longest-serving Ocean County commissioner on the current board. During his tenure, the county's population has increased 47% to 637,22, according to the 2020 U.S. Census. Over more than 30 years of service on the board, Kelly — who spent much of that time as its law and public safety liaison — has presided over major capital investment projects for the county's criminal justice system. They include a $64-million maximum security addition to the Ocean County Jail in 2011, an $8.2 million fire and first aid training center in Waretown in 1998, and current construction of the four-story annex to the Justice Complex needed for additional courtroom space at a cost of $92 million. A vacancy in the county clerk's office resulted from the retirement of former Ocean County Clerk Scott M. Colabella, who resigned on Jan. 1 to move to Florida, one year before his third, five-year term was set to expire. Contact Asbury Park Press reporter Erik Larsen at elarsen@ This article originally appeared on Asbury Park Press: Who will win the Republican nomination for Ocean County NJ clerk?
