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Hoping that this all the #ethnicDutchRepublican in #OttawaCounty a chance to reconsider their values.

Ottawa County committee forwards budget adjustments tied to proposed tipping-fee ordinance; hauler talks planned Committee approved fiscal-year 2026 budget adjustments, including a $750,000 reduction in expected tipping-fee revenue, and staff said they will meet with Waste Management and Republic to finalize a draft materials-fee (tipping fee) ordinance before bringing it back for adoption.

Ottawa County's Finance Administration Committee just approved significant budget adjustments, including a $750,000 cut in tipping-fee revenue, while gearing up to introduce a new fee ordinance—will this reshape waste management in the area?

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#OttawaCounty #MI #CitizenPortal

Residents urge Ottawa County to withdraw support for keeping Campbell coal plant open Multiple public commenters asked the board to rescind a 2025 resolution urging the Michigan Public Service Commission to delay closing the Campbell coal plant, citing costs, health risks, and reliability claims; others defended keeping the plant operating during extreme cold.

Residents are divided over the future of the aging Campbell coal plant, with some urging its closure due to health risks and costs, while others defend its reliability during extreme cold.

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#OttawaCounty #MI #EnvironmentalHealth #OttawaCountyEnergy #PublicCommentary

Picture A Day -
January 14, 2016
Drapes.
#OttawaCounty #Michigan
#blackandwhitephotography #blackandwhite #photography #Leica #humansofbluesky
📷©️John R. Fulton Jr.

Picture A Day -
January 12, 2017
Yorkie alert system on duty.
#OttawaCounty #Michigan
#blackandwhitephotography #blackandwhite #photography #Leica #humansofbluesky
📷©️John R. Fulton Jr.

Housing commission votes to proceed with public survey and debates bylaw changes for larger, more diverse board Commissioners approved distributing a two‑week public survey to inform a February facilitated planning session and discussed proposed bylaw changes including board size and term lengths, balancing broader representation against operational agility.

Ottawa County is launching a public survey to shape housing strategies—your voice matters in this crucial planning process!

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#OttawaCounty #MI #GovernanceReform #StrategicPlanning #CommunityInput #OttawaCountyHousing #CitizenPortal

Picture A Day -
January 11, 2014
Winter docks. Bubblers keep the ice away from the docks.
#OttawaCounty #Michigan
#blackandwhitephotography #blackandwhite #photography #Leica #humansofbluesky
📷©️John R. Fulton Jr.

Ottawa County schedules three public hearings on converting CMH to authority after tense debate After hours of public comment and a detailed staff report, the Ottawa County Board of Commissioners voted to schedule three public hearings to gather input on whether Community Mental Health (CMH) should convert from a county department to an independent authority. Dates and locations were set and the item returns for possible action in February.

Ottawa County is at a crossroads as the Board of Commissioners schedules public hearings to decide whether to transform Community Mental Health into an independent authority, a move that could reshape services and financial stability.

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#OttawaCounty #MI #PublicInput

Ottawa County releases 16 free small‑footprint home plans to help address housing shortage The Ottawa County Housing Commission unveiled 16 permit‑ready small‑footprint home designs (440–1,056 sq ft) and an open‑source download page to encourage local builders and prompt zoning conversations. Staff will pair downloads with a two‑week public survey to guide strategic planning.

Ottawa County just unveiled 16 innovative small‑footprint home designs that are free to the public, aiming to tackle the housing shortage while blending seamlessly into existing neighborhoods.

Learn more here

#OttawaCounty #MI #CommunityDevelopment #ZoningReform #AffordableHousing

Residents urge Ottawa County to rescind 02/25/2025 resolution supporting J.H. Campbell coal plant Three public commenters asked the Ottawa County Board of Commissioners to withdraw a Feb. 25, 2025 resolution that supported continued operation of the J.H. Campbell coal-fired plant, citing public-health harms and an asserted $615,000-per-day cost to ratepayers.

Residents are demanding Ottawa County withdraw support for a coal plant, citing severe health risks and staggering costs of $615,000 a day—will the commissioners listen?

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#OttawaCounty #MI #EnvironmentalJustice #CleanEnergy #PublicHealth #CitizenPortal

Picture A Day - January 1, 2016.
Happy New Year!!!!
#Michigan #OttawaCounty
#blackandwhitephotography #blackandwhite #photography #Leica #humansofbluesky #Leitz28mm #snow
📷©️John R. Fulton Jr.

Pictures A Day 2017, December 22.
Still lake with two ducks.
#Michigan #OttawaCounty
#blackandwhitephotography #blackandwhite #photography #Leica #humansofbluesky #Summilux
📷©️John R. Fulton Jr.

Provider warns Ottawa County board of dire staffing and funding strain; Heritage Homes seeks 18% rate increase Heritage Homes and other providers told the board they face severe staffing and funding shortages; a provider representative asked the county to explore funding options, and the finance committee discussed incremental rate adjustments for specialized residential placements.

Heritage Homes warns that without a crucial 18% rate increase, they may have to stop serving vulnerable residents due to severe funding cuts.

Learn more here

#OttawaCounty #MI #StaffingSolutions #ResidentialCare #FundingChallenges #OttawaCountyProviderSupport #CitizenPortal

Picture A Day 2017, December 9.
E
#OttawaCounty #Michigan
#blackandwhitephotography #blackandwhite #photography #Leica #humansofbluesky #Summicron
📷©️John R. Fulton Jr.

Pictures A Day 2017, December 8.
Storm, Western Michigan.
#OttawaCounty #Michigan
#blackandwhitephotography #blackandwhite #photography #Leica #humansofbluesky #Summicron #Yorkie #YorkshireTerrier

Picture A Day 2017, December 7.
Squirrel, Western Michigan.
#OttawaCounty #Michigan
#blackandwhitephotography #blackandwhite #photography #Nikon #humansofbluesky #Nikkor
📷©️John R. Fulton Jr.

Picture A Day 2017, December 6.
Late afternoon, Western Michigan.
#OttawaCounty #Michigan
#blackandwhitephotography #blackandwhite #photography #Leica #humansofbluesky #Summicron
📷©️John R. Fulton Jr.

Picture A Day 2017, December 5.
Sunset, Western Michigan.
#OttawaCounty #Michigan
#blackandwhitephotography #blackandwhite #photography #Leica #humansofbluesky #Summicron
📷©️John R. Fulton Jr.

Picture A Day 2017, December 4.
Laugh after breakfast.
#OttawaCounty #Michigan
#blackandwhitephotography #blackandwhite #photography #Leica #humansofbluesky #Summicron #GrandHaven
📷©️John R. Fulton Jr.

Picture A Day 2017, December 3rd.
Holy.
#OttawaCounty #Michigan
#blackandwhitephotography #blackandwhite #photography #Leica #humansofbluesky #Summicron
📷©️John R. Fulton Jr.

Picture A Day 2017, December 2nd.
Night walk.
#OttawaCounty #Michigan
#blackandwhitephotography #blackandwhite #photography #Leica #humansofbluesky #Summicron
📷©️John R. Fulton Jr.

Picture A Day 2017, December 1.
#OttawaCounty #Michigan
#blackandwhitephotography #blackandwhite #photography #Leica #humansofbluesky #GrandHaven
📷©️John R. Fulton Jr.

Pictures A Day 2017, November 30.
Asleep.
Flag over Grand Haven.
#OttawaCounty #Michigan
#blackandwhitephotography #blackandwhite #photography #Leica #humansofbluesky #GrandHaven
📷©️John R. Fulton Jr.

Picture A Day 2017, November 29.
Old lifeguard stand.
#OttawaCounty #Michigan
#blackandwhitephotography #blackandwhite #photography #Leica #humansofbluesky #michigan
📷©️John R. Fulton Jr.

Commission discusses strategic planning and a proposed study on keeping local graduates in Ottawa County Commissioners agreed to pursue strategic planning (targeted for February) and discussed a public proposal to study how many local high school and college graduates leave the county, with suggestions to gather existing quantitative studies and qualitative surveys at local colleges.

Ottawa County is taking a hard look at why over 40% of high school and 50% of college graduates are leaving, with plans for a strategic study that could reshape the future of our workforce!

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#OttawaCounty #MI #CommunityEngagement #WorkforceDevelopment #HigherEducation

Housing commission backs letter of support for Hope Bridge small-footprint project; PUD submission faces infrastructure cost challenge The commission agreed to sign a letter supporting the Hope Bridge small-footprint housing PUD for Doors of Hope; staff warned Holland’s transportation department may require a sidewalk costing an estimated $80,000–$100,000, a cost that could affect project affordability.

The Hope Bridge small-footprint housing initiative is making strides, but a proposed sidewalk could threaten its affordability with a staggering $100,000 price tag.

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#OttawaCounty #MI #UrbanPlanning #SustainableDevelopment #AffordableHousing #OttawaCountyHousing #CitizenPortal

Lakeshore Housing Alliance warns HUD rule changes could put 400 local households at risk Christina Ford of the Lakeshore Housing Alliance told the commission that proposed HUD FY2025 funding rules — including a reduction in guaranteed renewals and a cap on permanent housing funding — could jeopardize more than 400 Ottawa County households and asked for flexible bridge funding from HUD.

Christina Ford warns that new HUD funding rules could endanger over 400 households in Ottawa County, urging for urgent flexibility to prevent a housing crisis.

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#OttawaCounty #MI #HousingSecurity #LocalAdvocacy #OttawaCountyHousing #FederalFunding #CitizenPortal

IFF briefs commission on housing pipeline, recycling loans and investor strategy IFF senior lender David Develo walked the commission through current and upcoming Ottawa County projects (including Samaritas and Magnus sites), explained how construction loans recycle into permanent debt, described a $2-for-$1 leverage obligation tied to county funds, and outlined investor pricing and fundraising plans.

Ottawa County is on the brink of a housing revolution, with innovative projects like Samaritas and Magnus leading the way, fueled by a cutting-edge financing strategy that promises to double the impact of every county dollar.

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#OttawaCounty #MI #InvestmentStrategy

Picture A Day 2017, November 25.
Morkie and Yorkie.
#blackandwhitephotography #blackandwhite #photography #leica #humansofbluesky
#michigan #OttawaCounty
📷©️John R. Fulton Jr.

IFF updates commission on housing fund pipeline, leverage and outreach plans David Develo of IFF briefed the commission on local pipeline projects (including a highlighted Samaritas passive‑house project), described financing mechanics (use of Federal Home Loan Bank advances, 2:1 leverage requirement, blended pricing plus ~200 bps overhead) and outlined outreach to corporate and foundation investors.

David Develo from IFF reveals innovative strategies to boost housing financing in Ottawa County, but the uptake is lagging behind neighboring Kent County—what's holding it back?

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#OttawaCounty #MI #InvestmentStrategy #CommunityDevelopment #AffordableHousing