WEST OLIVE, Mich. — Ottawa County officials released the latest version of the proposed FY24 budget on Wednesday.
According to the draft, the county looks to use roughly $263 million, $6 million lower than the copy released in August.
Ottawa County FY24 Proposed Budget by WXMI on Scribd
One area seeing decreases is the Ottawa County Public Health. There are proposed cuts to immunizations, dental Miles of Smiles, health education, and family planning.
In August, Ottawa Impact Founder and Chairperson Joe Moss requested that the health department work with $2.5 million in general fund contributions and eliminate COVID-19 grants. Moss has explained that he wants to get the department down to pre-pandemic levels.
COVID grants for Public Health are no longer in the FY24 budget, which, according to Health Officer Adeline Hambley, was over $2.2 million in funding.
Health Officer Adeline Hambley has told FOX17 that County Administrator John Gibbs and fiscal services made the latest budget adjustments. Hambley says the general fund contributions increased to $4.3 million and are using $1.4 million in its rainy day fund.
A new addition to this draft is more than $246,000 in supplies to Veteran Affairs in Ottawa County. In mid-August, Vice Chair Commissioner Sylvia Rhodea presented a resolution to create a new Veterans Department. According to the new proposed budget, this department would see an increase in overall budget and general fund dollars.
FOX 17 is learning that Ottawa County has updated the total amount spent on corporate counsel in FY23 to $589,774. According to a Freedom of Information request, obtained documents by FOX17 from January through June, the Kallman Legal Group billed the county $216,264, which is around $36,000 a month.
In July, county leaders did move over $110,000 from their contingency fund to cover added expenses for corporate counsel.
There's a larger request for corporate counsel than the proposed budget in August and the one introduced in September. Initially, it was submitted at $375,200, but the new number is $430,200 for contracted services.
In January, moments after the county board was sworn in, the Ottawa Impact majority of board members eliminated the previous county attorney. They then awarded a no-bid contract to the Kallman Legal Group.
The overhaul continued as they fired the prior County Administrator, John Shay, and replaced him with former Congressional candidate John Gibbs. According to county records, the move cost the county government a $276,000 severance package.
On the same day, OI members moved to eliminate the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Department. DEI’s remaining balance of $161,000 was approved by board members to be moved into the county’s contingency fund.
There are no future funds planned for the DEI Department in FY24 year.
The board has scheduled a public hearing on Sept. 12th. FY24 is scheduled to start on Oct. 1st.
