The measure to increase commissioner’s salaries by 60% came as a recommendation from the Officer’s Compensation Commission, comprised of seven members. Four of those members were appointed by the current Ottawa County Board of Commissioners in December. The chair of the Officer’s Compensation Commission is Larry Jackson, who is also chair of the Ottawa County Democratic Party. Jackson was appointed by the previous board.
The first meeting of the Officer’s Compensation Commission was on March 1st. Under state law, the commission has 45 days from their first meeting to vote on any compensation measures to send to the Board of Commissioners to be voted on.
The Officer’s Compensation Commission met again on April 11th and voted 3 to 1 in favor of a 60% raise. Three additional members were absent from that meeting.
However, according to Board Chair Joe Moss, the Officer’s Compensation Commission held a third meeting on May 2nd to vote on further raises for Treasurer and Water Resources Commissioner.
“The May 2 meeting, called by Larry Jackson, was outside the 45-day requirement outlined in the law for his commission to do its work. The meeting itself was invalid. Any determinations made at that meeting are invalid.”
Moss also states that the 60% raise the Officer’s Compensation Commission approved for board members on April 11th is invalid due to the 3 to 1 vote.
“The law requires there be a minimum of 4 ‘yes’ votes. So, to be clear, Larry Jackson signed and submitted an invalid resolution, and the board will receive no raises in ‘25 or 2026.”
We reached out to Larry Jackson for comment but have yet to hear back.
