YouTube video courtesy Ottawa County, Michigan
OLIVE TWP., MI (WHTC-AM/FM, Feb. 27, 2026) – How community mental health is addressed in Ottawa County will change by the end of this decade.
On a 6-5 vote on Thursday, the Board of Commissioners approved the creation of a Community Mental Health Authority that will replace the existing CMH Department. This decision, after several months of consideration and three public hearings, removes Ottawa County as one of just five in Michigan that was handling these matters as a county-operated department.
Administrator Patrick Waterman says that it would take about three years to make this transition.
Former Board Chairman John Teeples of Jenison was among the majority.
While another former Board Chairman, Joe Moss of Hudsonville, dissented.
Commissioners left themselves an option of reversing their decision, should the proposed transition not go according to plan.
An online link to the meeting agenda and supporting documents is here.
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