About the Board of Commissioners
The Board of Commissioners is composed of 11 members elected from districts of equal population. Board members serve four-year terms, with the current term ending on December 31, 2028.
Board of Commissioner meetings are held monthly on the fourth Tuesday of each month at the Ottawa County Administration Building (12220 Fillmore Street, West Olive). Meetings during even months are held at 9:00am and meetings during odd months are held at 6:30pm. Meetings are open to the public and begin and end with opportunities for public comment following the protocol.
The Board Rules serve to ensure accountability, transparency, and representation for all people in Ottawa County.
What We Do
Policy
The board passes resolutions and policies to guide County operations, including budgets, services, capital improvements, tax rates, and other matters.
Leadership
Commissioners participate in county, regional, and state committees. The board develops a strategic plan, anticipating challenges and opportunities for the future.
Oversight
The board provides oversight and accountability for departments through the County Administrator to ensure county-funded services are effective and efficient.
Serve Constituents
Commissioners build relationships with community members and attend city, township, and other local functions. Commissioners often help residents find information or services.
The salaries of the Ottawa County Commissioners, as well as other non-judicial elected officials, are determined by the Officers’ Compensation Commission as permitted by PA 485 of 1978. The Officers’ Compensation Commission presents its recommendations to the Board of Commissioners. The recommendations take effect unless the Board of Commissioners rejects them. Commissioners receive retirement benefits, life insurance, plus the following annual salaries:
| 2026 | |
| Chairperson | $27,127 |
| Vice-Chairperson | $21,535 |
| Commissioner | $20,884 |
On June 23, 2026, the Officers’ Compensation Commission presented its recommendations to the Board of Commissioners for the following salaries during 2027 and 2028:
| 2027 | 2028 | |
| Chairperson | $41,600 | $47,998 |
| Vice-Chairperson | $36,400 | $42,642 |
| Commissioner | $31,200 | $37,286 |
Standing Committees
Standing committees and assignments are determined in January each year under the direction of the Board Chair.
Board & Commission Assignments
Boards, commission, and committee assignments are determined in January each year under the direction of the Board Chair and approval of the Board of Commissioners.
Board |
Commissioner(s) |
| Agriculture Preservation Board | Allison Miedema |
| Area Community Services Employment & Training Council | Doug Zylstra, Joe Moss |
| Central Dispatch Authority Policy Board | Sylvia Rhodea |
| Community Corrections Advisory Board | Kendra Wenzel |
| Community Mental Health Board^ | Jordan Jorritsma, TBD, TBD |
| Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy Committee | Allison Miedema |
| Drain Board* | Josh Brugger, Jacob Bonnema |
| Economic Development Corp./Brownfield Redevelopment | Jim Barry |
| Food Services Appeals Board | Sylvia Rhodea |
| Grand Valley Metro Council | John Teeples |
| Groundwater Board | Phil Kuyers, Jordan Jorritsma |
| Holland SmartZone Local Development Finance Authority | Doug Zylstra |
| Housing Commission | Doug Zylstra |
| Insurance Authority* | Josh Brugger, Jacob Bonnema, John Teeples |
| Kent, Ottawa, Muskegon, Foreign Trade Zone Authority | Phil Kuyers |
| Land Bank Authority* | Josh Brugger |
| Lloyd’s Bayou Lake Board* | Josh Brugger |
| Local Emergency Planning Committee | Allison Miedema |
| Macatawa Area Coordinating Council | Jacob Bonnema |
| MSU Extension Advisory Council | Phil Kuyers, Jim Barry |
| Materials Management Planning Commission^ | Joe Moss |
| Parks & Recreation Commission | Phil Kuyers |
| Plat Board* | Josh Brugger |
| Spring Lake Lake Board* | Josh Brugger |
| Veteran’s Affairs Committee^ | Kendra Wenzel |
| West Michigan Airport Authority | Jacob Bonnema |
| West Michigan Enforcement Team Policy Board | Jim Barry |
| West Michigan Regional Planning Commission | Jim Barry |
| West Michigan Shoreline Regional Development Commission | John Teeples |
^ Indicates a statutory term applies.
* Indicates that some assignments are determined by statutory requirement, historical precedent, or precedence.