The political dynamics of Ottawa County are such that a County Administrator appointed by the Board of Commissioners is highly problematic. Candidates keep backing out, and now even the Double Haul search firm has backed out.
An elected County Administrator with a home rule county charter would help Ottawa County address many of its pressing challenges now. The Board of Commissioners could and should retain its policy-making and Administrator oversight roles, but in a more favorable way with a County Administrator elected by the voting citizens. The dynamics between the Board of Commissioners and the County Administrator would be more constructive under this framework. Ottawa County is already used to an elected County Sheriff, County Prosecutor, etc. An elected County Administrator just extends that proven format.
A home rule county charter comes with the other advantage of more local control capability, which is especially useful now regarding the Campbell and electric utility services.
It is time.