It is no secret that a majority of the Ottawa County Board of Commissioners want changes in the leadership of the Ottawa County Department of Public Health (OCDPH). During COVID, overreach by the OCDPH led to the formation of Ottawa Impact. In extremely simple terms, after a judge ruled against the Libertas School in a dispute involving the County Health Department, it was made clear that the county board of commissioners had ultimate authority over the health department and its officers. They were the body that had hired the health officer, and they are the body that can terminate employment.
According to Michigan Law, MCL 46.11 (n), a County Boards of Commissioners may,
“remove an officer or agent appointed by the board if, in the board's opinion, the officer or agent is incompetent to execute properly the duties of the office or if, on charges and evidence, the board is satisfied that the officer or agent is guilty of official misconduct, or habitual or willful neglect of duty, and if the misconduct or neglect is a sufficient cause for removal. However, an officer or agent shall not be removed for that misconduct or neglect unless charges of misconduct or neglect are presented to the county board of commissioners or the chairperson of the county board of commissioners, notice of the hearing, with a copy of the charges, is delivered to the officer or agent, and a full opportunity is given the officer or agent to be heard, either in person or by counsel.”
In August 2022, after several commissioner candidates won their primary elections, the previous board of commissioners and Health Officer at the time, Lisa Stefanovsky, clearly understood changes were likely coming. During the August 23, 2022, Ottawa County Board Meeting, Health Officer Lisa Stefanovsky announced her retirement (p. 200). She planned to continue serving until March 31, 2023 to help transition a new health officer into the position. Just before leaving office on December 13, 2022, the previous board attempted to appoint Adeline Hambley as the new health officer in a move that would preserve the status quo.
During the December 13, 2022, Ottawa County Board of Commissioner meeting, the board passed a resolution to appoint Hambley as the health officer contingent upon the following three events:
The board needed to vote to approve Adeline Hambley as health officer.
Approval was received from the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services for Adeline Hambley to become Health Officer for Ottawa County.
Adeline Hambley had to successfully pass an Ottawa County background check.
After being sworn in, the newly elected county commissioners determined that the meeting minutes, meeting video, and signed resolution from the December 13, 2023 meeting regarding the attempted appointment of Hambley were inconsistent, and on February 28, 2023, they passed a resolution (p.11) in an attempt to correct the record. The issue was that the prior board had voted for the resolution, but never voted to approve Hambley as health officer. The video and minutes stated all three contingencies must be met, but the written resolution left off contingency #1 (board approval), assuming the vote for the resolution also served as a vote of approval.
Adeline Hambley believed the board was attempting to demote and/or terminate her status as health officer and began legal proceedings. On March 31, 2023, Ottawa County Circuit Court Judge Jenny McNeill issued an injunction prohibiting the current board from terminating Hambley’s employment as health officer while the merits of Hambley’s claims could be assessed by the trial court. The Ottawa County Commissioners appealed the trial court’s injunction, and their appeal was heard on October 11, 2023. The Michigan Court of Appeals ruled that Hambley had been properly appointed as Health Director, but removed the injunction enabling Hambley to be removed from her position in accordance with Michigan Law.
The dispute is not over whether Hambley is qualified to perform the duties of the health officer, but whether had she been properly appointed as the Ottawa County Health Officer. Another hearing on this matter is scheduled for October 20. This time, Hambley is asking for the injunction prohibiting the Ottawa County Board of Commissioners (OCBOC) to have the ability to remove Hambley from her position with cause in accordance with MCL 46.11 (n), be reinstated. In addition, Hambley is requesting a hearing called by the OCBOC to remove Hambley with cause, currently scheduled for October 24, be postponed.
While this dispute moved through the court system, questions over Hambley’s capabilities began to arise. Between August 1 and September 26, 2023, the Ottawa County Commissioners, county administrators, and department heads were working on the fiscal year 2024 budgets. The board of commissioners requested all department heads to look for opportunities within their budgets in which funding could be decreased without compromising service. When the board of commissioners requested the health department create a budget more in-line with pre-COVID levels, a very public debate over health department funding was played out in the media. Rather than use her time to create a budget with the assistance of the Fiscal Services department, Adeline Hambley chose to run to the media, stoking public fear as a political weapon.
Due to her actions during the budgeting process, a hearing to remove Adeline Hambley from her position, with cause, was scheduled for October 19, 2023 and subsequently rescheduled to October 24, 2023. The notice of hearing contained a document detailing the reasons and evidence for termination which includes making false public statements that resulted in public fear and confusion, and failing to cooperate with colleagues through the budget process.
This story is not yet over, but it has been a source of confusion for many in the public. The publicly elected commissioners are chosen by voters to act in the best interests of the whole county. They are tasked with the responsibility of ensuring county departments are using tax dollars in ways that best meet the needs of county residents. It is up to the commissioners to hold the county administrator and other unelected officials accountable for their actions. Adeline Hambley has definitely been acting in her own self-interest. Do you think Hambley cares more about her department’s budget, or acting in the best interest of the people of Ottawa County?