Resolution in Support of Additional Circuit Court Judgeship

Resolution in Support of Additional Circuit Court Judgeship
At a regular meeting of the Board of Commissioners of the County of Ottawa, Michigan, held at
the Fillmore Street Complex in the Township of Olive, Michigan on the 24th day of August, 2021
at 1:30 o’clock local time.

Present: Francisco Garcia, Joseph Baumann, Douglas Zylstra, Allen Dannenberg, Randall Meppelink, Kyle Terpstra, James Holtvluwer, Gregory DeJong, Roger Bergman, Matthew Fenske.
Absent: Philip Kuyers.

It was moved by Commissioner Joseph Baumann and supported by Commissioner that the following Resolution be adopted:

WHEREAS, the 20th Judicial Circuit Court of Ottawa County is currently authorized by law to have four (4) circuit judges (MCL 600.521); and

WHEREAS, the Michigan State Court Administrative Office recommended the addition of one (l) circuit judge in the Judicial Resources Recommendations issued to the Legislature in December 2019; and

WHEREAS, the Michigan Legislature has been requested to authorize the addition of one (l) circuit judge, effective January 1, 2023, subject to the provisions of MCL 600.550; and

WHEREAS, the provisions of MCL 600.550 require a resolution to be adopted by the county board of commissioners approving the creation of any additional judgeship prior to its effective date; and

WHEREAS, the provisions of MCL 600.550 require the county clerk to file the resolution with the state court administrator not later than 4:00 p.m. of the sixteenth Tuesday preceding the August primary for the election to fill the additional circuit judgeship; and

WHEREAS, the addition of one (1) circuit judgeship is necessary and reasonable to handle the judicial workload of Ottawa County thereby ensuring the prompt resolution of civil, family, and criminal cases;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Ottawa County Board of Commissioners has reviewed this matter and approves the addition of one (1) circuit court judgeship, effective January 1, 2023; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Board of Commissioners approves the necessary and reasonable allocation of general fund resources to the Circuit Court budget for staff support, as well as an appropriation for one-time costs associated with technology, equipment, and establishment of the new office; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Board of Commissioners directs the County Administrator to work with the Circuit Court Administrator to take all necessary steps to implement the additional judgeship and support staff by January 1, 2023.

YEAS: Kyle Terpstra, James Holtvluwer, Gregory DeJong, Randall Meppelink, Joseph Baumann, Matthew Fenske, Allen Dannenberg, Francisco Garcia, Roger Bergman
NAYS: Douglas Zylstra