County Commissioner District 4· 2025-01-01–2028-12-31 (four-year term beginning January 1, 2025 and ending December 31, 2028 per MCL 46.410 and county Board of Commissioners page listing 01/01/2025 - 12/31/2028)
Jacob Bonnema
Ottawa County
No biography on file yet.
Voice
- Meetings spoken in
- 7
- Total speaking time
- 34:21
- Avg per meeting
- 4:54
- Segments
- 484
Want every word Bonnema has said?
The OpenCity MCP for Claude.ai answers questions like “what has Bonnema said about housing this year” with one prompt — full speaking history, with YouTube timestamps.
Top issues during term (20)
Silver Maple Solar Project Intervention
Up to $50,000 in legal costs covered by money RWE must provide under state law; a future host community agreement could bring roughly $400,000 annually to the county.
Flock AI surveillance cameras
The county is paying Flock under an auto-renewing contract, with a payment included in the $35 million claims list.
Community Mental Health authority transition and autism services
CMH ran a $5 million deficit last year; conversion would cut CMH expenses about $2.1 million in year one but shift county revenue by the same amount.
election results
Your tax dollars and local service funding could shift depending on which measures passed.
Infrastructure and Water Issues
$500,000 in state funding for the study becomes available October 1.
Sheriff's Office Staffing
$49,560 in federal grant funds, no local cost noted.
Housing Advisory Board formation and appointments
A potential new strategic impact staff position could cost roughly $120,000 with benefits, pending evaluation.
2026 Election Administration and Early Voting
State funding for election equipment was left out of the budget; the county's eventual share of a ~$90 million need remains unresolved.
Road Commission roundabout and resurfacing projects
Roundabouts budgeted around $2.1 million each; the 120th/Port Sheldon project came in at $1.4 million.
PA 233 loss of local siting control
Farmland Preservation Conservation Easements
Purchase costs were not stated on the record but are part of the county's farmland preservation program spending.
Parks & Open Space Millage Proposal
An increase to .53 mills would raise parks funding and property taxes if voters approve.
election preview
There is no direct financial impact from this informational notice, though upcoming elections will eventually determine how local taxpayer dollars are allocated.
Idema Explorers Trail Segments
$248,126 in additional county matching funds, bringing the project total to $1,283,126.
Medical Examiner Fee Increase
$20 increase per cremation permit, effective November 1, 2026.
Airport safety and glare concerns at the air park
County Facility Rental Fees
Room rental revenue is small — roughly 80 rentals a year at $25 — but rates will rise to about $75 half-day/$100 full-day for larger rooms.
Fiscal Year 2027 Operating Budget
Revenue-neutral — same-dollar revenue and appropriation pass through to the CMH authority.
County Communication, Trust, and Fiscal Stewardship
Potential reduction in recycling sites and costs as the county reevaluates its approach.
Countywide local-government task force for growth
Could involve county-funded planning support, like offering master plan and recreation plan services to participating units.
Decisions during term (257)
Recorded while Bonnema was in office — not necessarily decisions they moved, spoke to, or voted on.
Approval of Agenda
Consent Resolutions (as amended)
Amendment to Separate Flock Payment from Accounts Payable
Motion to Call the Question on Accounts Payable
Accounts Payable ($35,087,413.42)
Environmental Sustainability Center Needs Assessment
Post-Execution Contract Ratification
Reemployment of Retirees Policy
Facilities Use Policy — Rate Amendment
Motion to Retain Nonprofit Fee-Waiver Language
Facilities Use Policy (First Reading)
Silver Maple Solar Project Intervention Petition
Silver Maple Solar Intervention Legal Counsel (as Amended)
Silver Maple Solar Intervention Funding ($50,000)
Approval of Consent Resolutions B/C 26-142
Amendment removing Grand Haven Pride payment from accounts payable (B/C 26-143a)
General claims accounts payable as amended (B/C 26-143)
Grand Haven Pride table payment (B/C 26-144)
Ottawa Conservation District agreement (B/C 26-145)
Workday budget and planning software contract (B/C 26-146)
Voting record (190)
Oldest to newest — hover a bar for the item.