Ottawa County committee approves $2.48 million transfer from public health and childcare funds amid public concern

The Ottawa County Finance & Administration Committee voted April 2 to reallocate $1,839,314 in excess unrestricted balance from the Department of Public Health fund and $640,026 from the Childcare fund — a total of $2,479,340 — back to the county general fund and forwarded the action to the Board of Commissioners.

The move drew public comment and questions from residents about timing and safeguards. Karen Obitz of Spring Lake Village told the committee she opposed the action and urged restoration of funding for an Ottawa Food Coordinator, saying the transfer “feels in step with the Ottawa Impact agenda” and asking residents to watch how the funds are used. Melanie Scolton of Park Township pressed staff for details about the $2,355,237 figure cited in prior materials, asked whether the general fund needs the money to remain solvent and how the public health department would access funds in an emergency if its unrestricted balance were removed. In the second public‑comment period Erinovich of Spring Lake Village asked, “Who decides what constitutes a public health emergency?” and said she was concerned the transfer was occurring before a written policy was adopted.

Finance staff explained the proposal as a return of unrequired general‑fund transfers to the general fund. Finance Director (identified in the meeting as Karen) said the balances result from prior general‑fund transfers into special revenue funds that were not required and that the county’s current process requires a board appropriation for departments to access fund balance in an emergency. She said staff will draft a proposed change to the county’s fund‑balance policy, discuss general‑fund contingency options and present a draft to the Planning & Policy committee for consideration before final adoption.

Commissioner Moss said the audit presented earlier in the meeting shows Ottawa County has significant reserves and that existing policies and contingency planning have allowed the county to respond to emergencies in the past.

The committee approved the reallocation on a roll‑call vote and forwarded the item to the Board of Commissioners for final action. Staff said they will draft a proposed fund‑balance policy and present it to the Planning & Policy committee in about a month.

Votes at a glance
• Action item 3 — Receive and forward FY2023 Annual Comprehensive Financial Report (audit): Approved (roll call yes).
• Action item 4 — Receive local government retirement systems annual report (Public Act 202 of 2017): Approved (roll call yes).
• Action item 5 — Contract with District Health Department #10 (perinatal mood disorders project): Approved (roll call yes).
• Action item 6 — Water pickup and testing services contract (lab pickup/pricing): Approved (roll call yes).
• Action item 7 — CHIP facilitator single‑source contract: Approved (roll call yes).
• Action item 8 — Delta Dental grant (Miles for Smiles): Approved (roll call yes).
• Action items 9–11 — Software contracts (Adobe, financial reporting software, time & attendance): Approved (roll call yes).
• Action items 12–16 — Monumentation/remonumentation contracts with multiple firms: Approved (roll call yes).
• Action item 17 — Reallocate $1,839,314 (Public Health) and $640,026 (Childcare) to general fund: Approved (roll call yes).
• Action item 18 — FY2024 budget adjustments: Approved (roll call yes).

What happens next: The committee forwarded the transfer and the other approved items to the Board of Commissioners for final action. Staff said a draft fund‑balance policy and recommended contingency adjustments will be prepared and presented to Planning & Policy for review.