Doug Zylstra 11/10/24 Doug Zylstra 11/10/24

Thank you..

Doug Zylstra 11/3/24 Doug Zylstra 11/3/24

Opportunities..

Over the last months, I’ve had the opportunity to visit with many residents of the City of Holland to (re-)introduce myself and hear your thoughts on what your expectations of your County government. If we haven’t had the the chance to meet yet, and you’d like to hear more about my goals for the Commission or to let me know your thoughts, please visit www.zylstraforcountycommissioner.com or call me at (616) 443-4281

Doug Zylstra 10/3/24 Doug Zylstra 10/3/24

Candidate questionnaires..

Recently, Mlive and Vote411.org put together a series of questions for District 3 Candidates. You can see all of them here, for both candidates. My answers to both are below.

Please indicate what, if any, affiliations and organizations assist you in decision-making.

Zylstra: As an elected representative, I am committed to making decisions based on what I believe is in the best interest of the people I represent. I do not have any affiliations or organizations that influence my decision-making process. My goal is to serve the needs and interests of the community without bias or outside influence.

Please share your thoughts on how to work with the public and the media to communicate how the Board of Commissioners is meeting the needs of the county. Are there unmet needs at election time?

Zylstra: Over my tenure as County Commisioner, I have always firmly advocated for transparency and open communication with both the public and the media. I have consistently provided regular updates on all meetings via social media channels. Additionally, I actively participate in various community forums and events to engage with constituents directly. By nurturing a cooperative relationship with the media and engaging in active outreach with the public, I believe we can best guarantee that the community remains well-informed and their voices are heard.

What is your view of good county governance (considering fiscal policies, hiring & firing practices, disciplinary processes and serving the needs of your constituents)?

Zylstra: Good county governance involves common sense fiscal policies, transparent budgeting, and long-term planning for sustainability. Hiring practices should prioritize merit and diversity while ensuring accountability. Disciplinary processes must be fair and transparent. Serving constituents’ needs is paramount, requiring active engagement, listening, and collaborative problem-solving. Overall, governance demands transparency, accountability, and responsiveness. I am committed to upholding these principles and serving with integrity.

What do you see as the function of public comments during County Commission meetings?

Zylstra: Public comments during County Commission meetings are crucial for transparency, accountability, and civic engagement. They offer residents a platform to voice concerns, share perspectives, and provide feedback on Commission matters. This direct channel ensures decision-making reflects community needs and promotes accountability. As Commissioner, I have strongly advocated for public participation in local governance and would continue to support and encourage public comments if reelected.

Do you plan to sign the Ottawa Impact “Contract with Ottawa”? Why or why not?

Zylstra: No, I do not intend to sign the contract. While I agree with many aspects of the contract, there are other aspects I do not.

What are the most important issues facing Ottawa County?

Zylstra: I believe the most important issues facing Ottawa County are the lack of housing opportunities, which I why I worked to revive the Ottawa County Housing Commission back in 2019, my first year on the Board, and worked to make sure the Ottawa County Housing Fund received the $10M in funding that it did in November of 2022.

What do you view as the role of county government?

Zylstra: I believe the essential role of county government is to provide the highest quality level of service in our mandated areas at the most affordable price tag possible. I also believe that the county is uniquely placed to work on non-mandated, but high priority items like Housing, Childcare, Broadband and Groundwater.

Should faith play a role in county government?

Zylstra: I believe our internal compasses as Commissioners, be it faith, morality, etc. should and do definitely guide our actions. However, I do not believe that elected officials’ personal faith beliefs, for example, should be a template for governance.

How do you plan on communicating and be transparent with your constituents?

Zylstra: I plan to continue communication as I have since I began as a county commissioner, through Social Media, Coffee Hours, Appearances at City Council and Area Events.

Why are you running for county commissioner?

Zylstra: I am running for County Commissioner to continue the work that I have been doing, and advocate for expanding housing opportunities, ensuring that the County continues investing in the physical and mental health of its residents, and ensuring that we’re spending your tax dollars responsibly, and then communicating that openly and transparently.

Doug Zylstra 9/20/24 Doug Zylstra 9/20/24

Our Challenges, Our Opportunities

During the over five and half years I've been on the County Board, there have been a number of challenges. We've been through a multi-year Covid pandemic. We've been through the past year and a half period with strong disagreements on the Board as to the direction this County should go.

Now, with 2025 coming up and with Board composition guaranteed to change, there are two important priorities for me.

1. Work to recreate a stable and functional environment on the board that residents, businesses and our other county partners can count on.

2. Work to rededicate ourselves to wise investing in our community, in housing, in health, in continuing our partnerships to help increase childcare opportunities for our residents. We definitely need to continue offering the great services that county residents have come to expect, but we can and should utilize our recent experiences to work to provide this county with opportunites to create a more prosperous future for all our residents.

I am running because I feel my experience and my background will serve that effort well.

I appreciate your support on November 5.

Doug Zylstra 8/19/24 Doug Zylstra 8/19/24

Your Voice on the County Board

As your County Commissioner, I have worked to be a responsive, transparent voice for the residents of the City of Holland to the Ottawa County Board of Commissioners. I have focused on making Ottawa County government more aware of the issues that affect our community, its diverse needs, and points of interest and have worked to better shape the discussion around those issues.

I appreciate the opportunity of your vote November 5 so that I may continue serving you as your representative to the County Board

Doug Zylstra 8/19/24 Doug Zylstra 8/19/24

Let’s Build Ottawa’s Future Together

From its earliest foundings, Ottawa County has always been a place where people from all over come to create a better place for themselves and their families, through hard work and community spirit.

As your County County Commissioner, I want to make sure we’re living through our heritage, from native Michiganders, to the settlers like William Ferry and Albertus Van Raalte, who all realized that we grow and prosper when we work together.

This past year and a half, we’ve seen too much division, too much asserting that ‘we need to defend our piece’ of Ottawa County. I want to work together with all our residents, with the entire Board, to help continue to create a more prosperous Ottawa County for all the 300,000 residents home because we simply cannot grow by division.

Let's Build Ottawa's future Together

Doug Zylstra 7/6/24 Doug Zylstra 7/6/24

2023-2024 Highlights - Adeline Hambley

Maybe a bit ironically, perhaps the most important action we took as a Board over the last year and a half is something that we didn’t do, ie. fire the Ottawa County Health Director Adeline Hambley.

As I said at the time. "I voted yes on the Motion to adopt the Settlement Agreement as I believe it accomplishes many important goals, most notably that of retaining both Health Director Hambley and Deputy Health Director Mansaray. This has been a trying period for all involved and I am pleased that we can finally get positive resolution to this matter.”

—

OTTAWA COUNTY — Thirteen months after the Ottawa County Board of Commissioners, led by a new far-right majority, attempted to fire her, officials have agreed Adeline Hambley will remain the county's health officer, after all.

Following a nearly 12-hour closed session Monday, Feb. 26, commissioners voted 11-0 to keep Hambley and Deputy Health Officer Marcia Mansaray in place as part of a settlement agreement to end Hambley's long-standing lawsuit against the board.

Other parts of the agreement: all litigation is dropped, a multi-session termination hearing will end with no determination, a judge will decide how much of Hambley's attorney fees will be covered, and there will be no monetary award for damages.

Should the board attempt to fire Hambley again, they must agree with a public-binding three-person panel with one member selected by Hambley's attorney, one selected by Ottawa County's attorney (Kallman Legal Group) and arbitrator Thomas Behm.

“Today, the Ottawa County Board of Commissioners came to a mutual agreement, subject to court approval, to end all litigation involving the health officer,” Board Chair Joe Moss posted on social media following the meeting. “All legal issues between the parties will be resolved, and Ms. Hambley will continue in her role as health officer, as previously decided by the Appeals Court.

“The board will continue to provide oversight of the health department, prioritizing freedom and the individual rights of the people. We will continue to build Ottawa County to be a place Where Freedom Rings and individuals and families thrive.”

In his own statement, Commissioner Doug Zylstra said the agreement “accomplishes many important goals.”

"This has been a trying period for all involved and I am pleased that we can finally get positive resolution to this matter.”

Members of Ottawa Impact, founded by Moss and Vice Chair Sylvia Rhodea, attempted to demote Hambley to “interim” health officer shortly after they were sworn in Jan. 3, 2023. They intended to replace her with Nathaniel Kelly, who most recently worked as a health and safety manager at a Grand Rapids-area HVAC company.

Hambley sued in February, kicking off a year of unprecedented strain between the board and the county's health department.

In April, a circuit court judge granted Hambley a preliminary injunction, allowing her to remain in her role until a trial could take place. However, the Michigan Court of Appeals partially vacated that injunction, saying the board had the legal right to fire Hambley as long as state law was followed.

Throughout the summer, the board, Administrator John Gibbs and Hambley battled over a proposed budget for the department. In the end, the OI majority voted to cut millions.

Moss filed notice Sept. 27 that a termination hearing was planned over allegations of “incompetence, misconduct and neglect of duty" during budget negotiations. The hearing, the first steps of legally firing a health officer, began in October and has stretched on through several recesses for more than four months.

In a Nov. 6 session, the board voted 7-3 to “accept counsel’s recommendation regarding litigation and settlement activities in the case of Hambley v. Ottawa County.” Following the meeting, multiple sources close to the matter told The Sentinel the agreement included paying Hambley $4 million to resign, plus the resignation of Mansaray.

Following reports of the settlement amount, Ottawa Impact commissioners attempted to walk back the agreement. As recently as Feb. 22, Moss referred to the settlement and dollar figure as a “false narrative.”

Hambley filed a motion in court to see the settlement enforced, but during an evidentiary hearing in January, Muskegon County 14th Circuit Court Judge Jenny McNeil found — although an agreement was discussed — the public vote wasn't clear enough to be legally binding.

Hambley's attorney, Sarah Riley-Howard and representatives from Kallman have since disputed what was actually said in the hearing — which was closed to the public. The Sentinel filed a motion Feb. 7 to have the transcript of the hearing released to the public.

That motion, along with several from Howard, were scheduled for a hearing at 1:30 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 28, in Muskegon.

— Contact reporter Mitchell Boatman at mboatman@hollandsentinel.com.

Doug Zylstra 6/28/24 Doug Zylstra 6/28/24

Arpa Highlights - Countywide Broadband

In 2022, The Board opened an initial contract with Graybar/Fujitsu and set aside $7.5 million in ARPA dollars to fund countywide broadband. In 2023, we signed a contract with 123.net to begin work on serving County residents who lacked access to broadband

——-

Bucket Goal: High-speed internet access remains inconsistent across Ottawa County. The County is working to establish universal access to broadband.

In August 2022, The Board approved $46,964.77 in ARPA Funding to hire GrayBar Inc to commence with pre-engineering of a middle mile broadband infrastructure network, and preparation of a network proforma, for the County's unserved/underserved areas.

In November 2022, The Board set aside $7.5 Million to buidout the Broadband plan.

In December 2023, The Board approved a master agreement and letter of intent with 123Net to utilize state and county dollars to build an open-access, carrier-neutral broadband internet infrastructure. The project is expected to result in nearly 400 miles of new fiber in the county and provide further internet access to nearly 10,000 residents and businesses.

WHO/WHAT: Ottawa County Department of Strategic Impact (DSI)

NEED: There’s no denying high-speed internet is a necessity to conduct the business of modern life. Many of our citizens, however, have reported difficulties with high-speed internet. Residents report they either don’t have access, their access is unreliable, or service is too expensive. These problems have persisted because of inaccurate FCC data that gives national providers and

state and federal regulators the impression broadband service is available across the County. These inaccurate maps have delayed, and in some cases, disqualified the County from qualifying for grants to improve service.

To address this issue, DSI needed better data. Working with community partners, the County conducted a Broadband Data Collection Survey. This survey revealed 10.5% of County households do not have access to fixed (wired or wireless) high-speed internet. Furthermore, 26% of those with fixed broadband access it at speeds slower than the FCC’s minimum broadband threshold.

Armed with the survey data, staff and partners are defining the actions necessary to address gaps in access, affordability, and digital literacy throughout the County. ARPA funds ensure this initiative can quickly close the digital divide so many of our residents and businesses face.

SERVES: All County residents, businesses, the agricultural community, and schools

IMPACT: Momentum is building thanks to ARPA funds. The County hired GrayBar/ Fujitsu, a logistics and data networking leader, to conduct a pre-engineering design for “middle-mile” broadband fiber lines.
The end result will be a documented and executable network model the County can use as a blueprint to achieve improved connectivity. Staff also issued a Request For Information (RFI) to ISPs to formally identify companies that are willing to partner with the County, as well as a Request For Proposal (RFP) to identify tower companies interested in building wireless infrastructure utilizing the middle mile design. Armed with data, as well as partners willing to help build the network, staff will then be able to seek and secure grant funds, and bring in local contributions to deploy the Graybar/Fujitsu network design. If successful, staff are targeting fiscal year 2024 for construction of the necessary “middle mile” infrastructure.

Doug Zylstra 6/21/24 Doug Zylstra 6/21/24

Arpa Highlights - Housing

In 2022, the Board made commitments of over $13M towards growing Housing Opportunities for a wide array of Ottawa County residents.

FIRST HOPE AT 10TH STREET APARTMENTS | $2 MILLION *
WHO/WHAT: Dwelling Place, a 501c3 nonprofit developer and property manager based in Grand Rapids, in partnership with Hope Church and First United Methodist Church of Holland
NEED: New investment in and around downtown Holland has brought many new businesses and dramatically raised property values. However, this success has come with an unintended consequence – many downtown workers find it increasingly difficult to find affordable housing. Recent housing data supports this: according the 2021 Bowen National Research Housing Needs Assessment for Ottawa County, downtown Holland needs at least 373 additional affordable rental housing units by 2025 to keep up with community needs.
SERVES: Lower-income individuals and families who are employed at downtown Holland businesses; a handful of adults with disabilities who are unable to work full-time; and Holland-area businesses.
IMPACT: This project will create 46 new affordable rental units in downtown Holland. Thirty-five of the 46 units will serve low-income single adults and/or families. Eleven will be reserved for adults with disabilities who are unable to work full-time. With a state housing tax credit allocation, the ARPA grant, and an approved payment in lieu of tax agreement from the City of Holland, this project is expected to be fully financially sustainable for 30 years.
SAMARITAS AFFORDABLE LIVING OF SPRING LAKE | $1.5 MILLION
WHO/WHAT: Samaritas, an affordable living nonprofit, in partnership with Pinnacle Construction and Chesapeake Community Partners
NEED: According to the 2021 Bowen National Research Housing Needs Assessment, the northwestern housing submarket (which includes Grand Haven, Spring Lake, and surrounding areas) needs 584 housing units by 2025. Seniors, in particular, face long waiting lists for housing in other area facilities, such as Evergreen Village of Spring Lake and Pinewood Place in Grand Haven. In order to be built, this project needs a tax credit from the state.
With increased construction material costs because of supply chain issues and interest rate hikes, it is unlikely this project could be built without
ARPA funds. Both the village and the township of Spring Lake have already approved and recorded a PILOT (payment in lieu of taxes) ordinance for the property.
SERVES: Low-income families, seniors, those with special needs or other disabilities, and Native Americans in northwestern Ottawa County.
IMPACT: This project will create 53 new affordable housing units in the Village of Spring Lake for low-income families, couples, seniors, with eight reserved for those with special needs or other disabilities, and eight reserved for members or descendants of the Little River Band of Ottawa Indians. This investment creates a needed housing resource for 45 years.
AFFORDABLE HOUSING REVOLVING LOAN FUND | $10 MILLION
WHO/WHAT: Housing Next, a pilot program of the Greater Ottawa County United Way, which partners with local governments, developers and nonprofits to create affordable housing, in partnership with Ottawa County and a qualified Community Development Finance Institution.
NEED: Ottawa County grew 12% in
the past decade, making it the fastest growing Michigan County. This growth has naturally put pressure on housing stock. Additionally, dramatic shifts in the labor market and rapidly expanding work-from- home opportunities are
compounding this issue. Housing Next estimates the County is in need of more than 15,000 housing units by 2025.
Nearly 9,500 of those units are needed for households earning at or below the median income in the county. The private sector
is not currently empowered to construct needed housing units at an affordable price point.
SERVES: All who potentially seek to live and work in Ottawa County, employers, developers seeking to build affordable housing in the County
IMPACT: Utilizing ARPA funds, Ottawa County will grant $10 million to IFF, a 501(c3) nonprofit lender and designated Community Development Finance Institution (CDFI). IFF will operate and administer the Revolving Loan Fund. Coupling the initial $10 million with
$23.3 million in matching funds, IFF will provide low-interest loans to developers, making affordable housing projects more feasible.
The ARPA funds serve as a 20-year loan at 0% interest. At the end of the 20-year investment period, the Ottawa County Board of Commissions can request all or a potion of the County funds can be returned to the County as outstanding
loan balances are prepaid to IFF from borrowers. The County may also choose to reinvest all or a portion back into IFF for a second period of investment.
Housing Next estimates the initial $33.3 million could potentially support more than 1,000 new units in the first round of funding.
As the principal balance on loans are returned to IFF, additional housing projects will be supported, creating a self- perpetuating fund.
As momentum builds for the RLF, the County anticipates other community organizations and businesses will likely invest in the fund, expanding its reach.
——
*The First Hope at 10th Street Apartment investment was not ulitmately not completed due to MHISDA not taking on the projects for state funding.

Doug Zylstra 6/13/24 Doug Zylstra 6/13/24

ARPA Highlights - Early Childcare

Early Childcare Expansion: In Ottawa County, between the age of zero and five, there is currently one childcare slot for every two children. A lack of available childcare is a barrier to job seeking parents and employers in desperate need of workers.

In response to this need the County Board of Commissioners on November 23, 2022, voted to allocate $7.5 Million to enable our partner ODC Network to help reduce the local gap in child care capacity by 10% over the next three years and create 1,000 additional child care spots across the county by utilizing local employer sites. ODC plans to accomplish this through a coalition of partners including the Ottawa Area Intermediate School District and local businesses.

ARPA Highlights - Eviction Diversion

Eviction Prevention Program ARPA Funding: On August 23, 2022 the County Board approved the 58th District Court's request for $2 million in ARPA grant funding over 3 years to support the Ottawa County Eviction Prevention Program, in partnership with Good Samaritan Ministries. The funding works to enhance and stabilize programming that was perfected throughout the COVID-19 pandemic through the initial infusion of various federal aid initiatives; a program that has already shown to be effective in addressing a housing instability crisis for area residents. The request is for $2M over a 3 year period, FY23-FY25.

Good Samaritan Ministries officially launched the Ottawa County Eviction Prevention Program in December of 2022, working with tenants, landlords and the courts to keep people in their homes.

The program is a continuation of work done at the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic with support from federal, state and local agencies. As the pandemic-era partnerships came to an end, Good Samaritan began work on building a sustainable, long-lasting prevention program.

The program works with tenants and landlords to offer repayment programming and support services to prevent evictions. In the first two days after the program launched, 24 households began the screening process.

To qualify for OCEPP, a person must rent in Ottawa County, have a household income at or below 50 percent of the area’s average median income, have received a "Notice to Quit" or court-ordered summons, have a written or verbal lease agreement in place and not owe more than $3,000 to the property owner.

Good Samaritan said the funding will “enhance and stabilize programming that was perfected” during the pandemic. It's intended to serve a “growing population of low-income, rent-burdened residents of Ottawa County."

——-

NEED: According to recent Census data, 7.9% of residents in Ottawa County live below the poverty line, and the average rental rate in the County is $932/month, the highest of the surrounding counties. Using federal COVID Emergency Rental Assistance (CERA) Program funds, the 58th District Court and Good Samaritan organized an Eviction Prevention Program. In the first six months of the program, tenants from 369 different local businesses across several industries were kept housed.

Without the infusion of ARPA funds, the program would have ended once CERA Program funds were exhausted.

SERVES: All Ottawa County renters and landlords operating rental housing in the County.

IMPACT: Prevention programming and support services have shown to be highly effective in stabilizing housing for low- income residents. Stable housing is also critical for employers to retain a stable workforce.

ARPA dollars are allowing the program to develop an improved system that is privately funded and self-sustaining based off tenant repayment plans. This will ensure it will continue to help individuals and families avoid eviction.

Doug Zylstra 9/25/22 Doug Zylstra 9/25/22

Transitions

This upcoming January, the Ottawa County Board will look fairly different than it has the last four years that I have been here. Many new faces, for sure. Different approaches to how we've done County government.

If re-elected, I pledge to continue working as I always have, as an independent voice who works to gets results for City of Holland residents. As a member of a Board that has the responsibility of guiding a nearly $250 Million, 1,100 employee organization to provide the highest quality service for its residents at the lowest rate possible for its taxpayers, I take both these roles seriously and if re-elected, will continue to do so in this moment of transition.

I look forward to speaking with you further in the coming days, and ask for your vote on November 8p

Doug Zylstra 9/13/22 Doug Zylstra 9/13/22

Comments from the LWV Meet and Greet - September 7, 2022

Doug Zylstra 9/4/22 Doug Zylstra 9/4/22

Your Independent Voice on the County Board.

As your County Commissioner, I have worked to be a responsive, transparent voice for the residents of the City of Holland to the Ottawa County Board of Commissioners. I have focused on making Ottawa County government more aware of the issues that affect our community, its diverse needs, and points of interest and have worked to better shape the discussion around those issues.

I appreciate the opportunity of your vote November 8 so that I may continue serving you as your representative to the County Board

Doug Zylstra 5/5/22 Doug Zylstra 5/5/22

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

"We recognize the importance of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion in the accomplishment of our mission and hold it as a basic value to proactively engage and understand a variety of perspectives across all human differences. We seek to ensure respectful, fair treatment and full, equal access to opportunities and resources so all people may thrive and achieve their full potential. We believe every person’s voice adds value."

-- Approved by the Ottawa County Board of Commissioners

The above statement statement of organizational values forms part of our statement of values, developed to clearly identify not only the principles upon which Ottawa County organization is based, but the way in which it treats its employees and residents.

The vote to fund the Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion in early 2019 is to date, still the most important vote I have made on the Board; I will always be a vote to continue the important work this Office does both within our organization and throughout the Ottawa Community

You can read more about this vote here.

Doug Zylstra 4/23/22 Doug Zylstra 4/23/22

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

-- Approved by the Ottawa County Board of Commissioners

You can read more about this vote here.

Doug Zylstra 10/12/20 Doug Zylstra 10/12/20

Election day is November 3. But voting is going on now.

This November 3, you have the option of voting in person or voting by mail (absentee). If you have any questions about the process for either voting in person or vote by mail, please don't hesitate to reach me at (616) 443-4281 (English or Spanish) or call the City of Holland Clerk's Office at (616) 355-1302.

For more information online, please visit iwillvote.com

Doug Zylstra 5/28/19 Doug Zylstra 5/28/19

How you can help.

You can volunteer by sending an email saying ‘I want to help!’ to the email address: dzylstra@zylstraforcountycommissioner.com

You can donate to my campaign two easy ways:

By Credit Card: Visit: https://secure.actblue.com/donate/committee-to-elect-doug-zylstra
By Check: You can send a check to CTE Doug Zylstra, 152 E 24th St. Holland, MI, 49423
Thank you for your support!