Department of Planning and Performance Improvement

12220 Fillmore Street, Room 170
West Olive, Michigan 49460
Phone: (616) 738-4852
FAX: (616) 738-4625
E-mail: plan@miottawa.org

Hours of Operation: 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Staff

Mark Knudsen
Director 		Denise Kingsbury
Senior Secretary 		Paul E. Sachs
Assistant Director
Shannon Virtue
Research and Evaluation Analyst
 Nate Lisenbee
Land Use Planning Specialist 		Vacant
Economic Development Planning Specialist
Stephanie Roelofs
Data Entry Clerk 		   

Organizational Chart

Departmental Functions

The Department of Planning and Performance Improvement has five primary functions, these functions include:

  • Assisting the Ottawa County Planning Commission with their obligations and efforts to coordinate planning activities (land use, social, economic, environmental, and transportation.
  • Facilitating the development of strategic plans for county departments and outcome-based evaluations for county programs.
  • Conducting evaluations of county programs and policies.
  • Maintaining statistical data regarding the County's physical, economic, and social structure.
  • Conducting research on grants, preparing grant applications, and administering grant awards for County projects and programs.

The Department also has several ancillary functions which include:

  • Analyzing Federal, State, and local policies and legislation.
  • Answering general information inquires regarding a broad range of issues and topics.
  • Providing research and administrative support to citizens, local planners, department personnel, County Commissioners, and the County Administrator.