The Ottawa County Board of Commissioners displayed another example of good governance and mature leadership. Being in the middle of budget season, the Finance and Administration Committee requested the department heads take a look at their budgets and identify areas where they could reduce expenses to save the taxpayers money. What was surprising is that one member of the board, Commissioner Doug Zylstra, appeared to not be in favor of this request. In addition, Commissioner Zylstra seemed to want to reframe the request so that it appeared the Ottawa Impact Commissioners wanted to cut services for the people of Ottawa County.
(55:28) During the Finance Committee meeting on August 10, 2023, Commissioner Cosby began the discussion by proposing the board ask the county department heads to strive to reduce their budgets. She set a target of a 5% reduction in expenses, but noted that it was not a requirement, but rather a goal.
Chairman Joe Moss supported the request. “I think it’s a fair question to ask. Where are there cost savings?”
Commissioner Zylstra disagreed and tried to reframe the request. “If we’re in the position of saying we need to reduce service levels in Ottawa County, I think we should be the ones who say, you know, we think this area, this position. I don’t think it’s fair to say to staff, ‘cut 5%’.”
Chairman Moss quickly identified the way Commissioner Zylstra reframed the request. “Commissioner Zylstra is using this term ‘service levels,’ I think what he means to say is ‘spending taxpayer dollars.’ [] We’re not talking about reducing services. We’re talking about reducing expenses. [] It’s my understanding that the default position in Ottawa County is to increase spending. That has been our default, to the best of my knowledge.”
Commissioner Zylstra again attempted to reframe the request. “What we do is provide services. So, if you’re going to say, here’s a presented budget, that accomplishes X amount of services for Ottawa County residents, and you think that those services need to be cut by 5%?”
Chairman Moss then explained what Commissioner Zylstra was doing, and addressed Zylstra directly. “He’s trying to push it right back on you, to build a narrative. I think that’s disingenuous. [] Commissioner Zylstra, I’m fairly certain the chair is not saying that the budget is wasteful as you have insinuated. She is looking for areas to save our taxpayers money. That is good and healthy.”
Vice Chair Rhodea added, “If we have placed people in positions of directing a department, they should have the ability to analyze where costs could be cut. That should be a part of their responsibility. If they can come to us and say ‘this is where we would like to spend more money,’ they should also be able to look at the budget and see where they can save some money. [] When we are brought a proposed budget, it is our job to look it over and give it serious consideration.”
Chairman Moss explained the role of a commissioner with respect to budgets. “I just want to make sure that we have a really good perspective. The board is not here to rubber stamp things from the departments. We don’t just simply accept information without asking questions. I would venture to guess that this year there’s been more questions asked than maybe ever before. You can see that evidenced in some of the new changes this board has implemented; administration has implemented. You know, putting more grant information; making it publicly available, listing vendors that are being paid, making that publicly available; trying to allow people to ask the important questions that we are responsible to do for our taxpayers. So, any idea that we are going to rubber stamp things is just a little silly.”
As a taxpayer, the question I have is: why does Commissioner Zylstra appear to oppose fiscal responsibility?
Good governance involves research and asking questions. County commissioners are elected to provide vision and direction to the county by directing their employee, the county administrator. In this case, the commissioners felt it prudent to ask if department heads could identify any potential areas for cost savings. I’m happy county departments are being held accountable by commissioners that take their oversight responsibilities seriously.