THE PUBLIC RECORD
Ottawa County already saw what that looked like.
Joe Moss had an opportunity to lead as chair of the Ottawa County Board of Commissioners in 2023 and 2024. Before voters send him to Lansing, they deserve to look at the public record.
FOX 17 reported that Ottawa County moved $110,000 from its general fund to cover legal costs after changing corporate counsel. At the time, Kallman Legal Group had billed the county about $426,000—roughly $100,000 more than the previous corporate counsel billed in 2022. FOX 17 also reported four pending lawsuits had generated roughly $153,000 in legal fees.
Ottawa News Network reported that, by the time the county approved a $190,000 settlement with former administrator John Gibbs on January 28, 2025, the outlet reported more than $700,000 in county settlements connected to lawsuits filed between February 2023 and December 2024.
That is taxpayer money that could not be spent twice.
FOX 17 reported that the county paid a combined $280,000 to former interim administrator Benjamin Wetmore and former senior executive Jordan Epperson.
Ottawa News Network reported that Moss argued during closed sessions that severance agreements were necessary to reduce potential litigation exposure. Other commissioners questioned the basis for that exposure.
Lawsuits involve disputed allegations. Settlements are not admissions of wrongdoing, and allegations in complaints are not findings of fact. This page identifies those distinctions where relevant.
Joe Moss had his chance to lead Ottawa County. Voters can judge the results for themselves.
Meegan Zickus is offering District 89 a different approach: practical leadership focused on affordability, education, healthcare and the issues families deal with every day.