95.3 / 88.5 FM Grand Rapids and 95.3 FM Muskegon
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

Ottawa Co. reallocating funds from Health Department and Child Care Fund

Members of the Ottawa County, Mich., Board of Commissioners, from left, Joe Moss, Gretchen Cosby and Allison Miedema, listen during a board meeting, Tuesday, Sept. 5, 2023, in West Olive, Mich.
Kristen Norman/AP
/
FR171985 AP
Members of the Ottawa County, Mich., Board of Commissioners, from left, Joe Moss, Gretchen Cosby and Allison Miedema, listen during a board meeting, Tuesday, Sept. 5, 2023, in West Olive, Mich.

The Ottawa County Board of Commissioners voted to reallocate nearly $2.5 million into the general fund. The 9-2 vote took place Tuesday.

Though the majority of the board voted in favor of the reallocation of excess and unrestricted funds, Commissioner Doug Zylstra expressed concern. While a transfer of funds policy is being drafted, it's incomplete.

“So I’d rather just wait until we have that policy, let it be self-executing, and go from there.”

Vice-Chairperson Sylvia Rhodea explained that the board can create policy simultaneously moving the nearly $2.5 million excess amount from the Health Department and Child Care Fund into the General Fund.

“This is about bringing transparency and not confusion to the public and we’re very capable of doing two things at one time. We can both work on transferring those funds and work on a policy.”

According to Fiscal Services Director Karen Karasinski, the excess amounts initially came from the General Fund and its reserves to begin with. The Health Department would still have access to those funds.

Chairperson Joe Moss says, if necessary, that would happen.

“So if there are any emergencies, the county is ready to respond, and does so whenever is necessary.”

The county is required to fund the Health Department at no less than $2.3 million annually, and last year funded it $6.6 million.

Dave joined WGVU Public Media in November of 2023 after eighteen years as a Michigan Association of Broadcasters Emmy-nominated photojournalist and editor at Grand Rapids' WOOD TV8 and three years at WEYI TV25 in Flint, Michigan. As a General Assignment Reporter, Dave covers daily news and community events all over West Michigan.
Related Content