West Olive, MI (WGHN) – The Ottawa County Board of Commissioners moved forward on several key issues Tuesday night, including hiring approving a two-year contract with former Deputy Administrator Patrick Waterman, who was selected earlier this month from a pool of 58 applicants. Waterman, currently deputy city manager in Wyoming, Michigan, will begin his new role Oct. 27 with an annual salary of $230,000.
Commissioners also voted 7-4 to settle two lawsuits against the county, totaling nearly $40,000.
Commissioner Jordan Jorritsma alleged Tuesday that misinformation came from then–Board Chair Joe Moss during a closed session on Dec. 10, 2024.
The package in question was a nearly $110,000 payout plus five months of benefits awarded to former executive aide Jordan Epperson. His supervisor at the time, Interim County Administrator Ben Wetmore, also received a $175,000 payout in a separate vote that same day.
The payouts later became the subject of a lawsuit filed by resident Dan Zimmer, who accused the board of violating the Open Meetings Act. On Sept. 23, county commissioners voted to settle that lawsuit for $18,500, along with another lawsuit over alleged Freedom of Information Act violations for $21,000.
Commissioner Jim Barry said settling both cases was necessary.
Moss’ two-year tenure as board chair ended in January, following a series of lawsuits filed against the county, including claims of age discrimination, religious discrimination and unlawful termination. Wetmore and Epperson both resigned shortly before new commissioners took office.
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