Ottawa County · issues
Civic issues
Topics getting the most attention in Ottawa County public meetings, ranked by how frequently they come up.
Infrastructure and Water Issues
Water Resources Commissioner Joe Bush must review the project under Michigan drain code, and RWE has submitted nothing yet. Bush warned the 1,900-acre site sits on old drains with limited capacity, raising flooding and soil erosion risks for neighbors.
Kent County hauler fee collection at Ottawa landfills
The county approved rules letting its two landfills collect Kent County's $1.68-per-ton fee, but only on Kent-originated waste, with notice before any fee increase. Ottawa's own $1-per-ton fee still applies on top, and residents will see roughly 10 cents a month passed through hauler bills.
Solid Waste Financing Ordinance
A proposed fee on landfill users — about $1 per 2,000 pounds — would fund roughly $3 million in landfill legacy costs and household hazardous waste needs, starting October 1, 2026. Haulers warned costs would be passed to residents' bills; the board sent the ordinance back to its advisory committee instead of adopting it.