Officials, Departments & Divisions

20th Circuit Court
Handles criminal cases involving a felony; all civil cases involving $25,000 or more; divorce and custody; personal protection orders, Friend of the Court, paternity and more.

58th District Court
Handles less serious criminal cases and civil infractions. In addition, every criminal case starts in this court even if the trial will be handled by the circuit court.  Also handles civil cases involving $25,000 or less, landlord/tenant disputes; small claims (suits that involve $1,750 or less); and land contract forfeitures.

Board of Commissioners
Providing leadership and policy direction for all County activities.

Circuit Court Records
County Clerk's Office is responsible for maintaining all civil, criminal, and domestic relations cases for 20th Circuit Court.

Community Action Agency
Reduces the effects of financial hardships by promoting self-sufficiency and empowering individuals and families to achieve economic independence.

Community Mental Health
Services for those with mental illness and developmental disabilities.

County Administrator
Appointed by the Board of Commissioners to supervise all functions that directly report to the Board.

County Clerk
The keeper of Vital Records & Circuit and Family Court Records.

Corporation Counsel
Provides legal representation, advice, and counsel to Ottawa County, its boards, departments, funded units, elected officials and employees so they can legally fulfill their official duties.

Department of Public Health
Services to keep the environment safe and services to individuals and populations healthy.

Department of Strategic Impact
Responsible for improving organizational performance and maximizing the use of financial resources, increasing economic development, and protecting and improving the quality of life in Ottawa County.

Elections
The Elections Division of the County Clerk oversees all elections in Ottawa County in accordance with Michigan and Federal Election Law.

Equalization/Property Description & Mapping
Property assessment and property tax related information about parcels located in Ottawa County.

Facilities Maintenance
Responsible for maintaining and protecting all County assets, including all facilities, site improvements, and related equipment.

Fiscal Services
To provide centralized financial services for all accounting and financial matters, budget, purchasing and risk management.

Geospatial Insights & Solutions (GIS)
Manages the County's computer-based mapping system which relates various types of data and information with real-world locations.

Human Resources
Recruitment, hiring and retention of a diverse, qualified workforce.

Legal Self Help Center
A hub for legal information, court forms, and general information about the branches of the Ottawa County court system.

Parks & Recreation
Manages County parks, beaches and open spaces and provides events and educational opportunities.

Probate Court
Handles the transfer of property from a person who has died to the property's rightful owners.  Also handles guardianships, conservatorships, trusts, and mental illness.

Prosecuting Attorney
Responsible for the constitutional office of Prosecuting Attorney, to serve as chief administrator of criminal justice for Ottawa County.

Purchasing
To provide fair and equitable treatment of all persons involved in the buying and selling of supplies, equipment, services and construction from/to Ottawa County and its constituent departments.

Register of Deeds
The Ottawa County Register of Deeds office is the keeper of the records for land documents.

Sheriff’s Office
Responsible for law enforcement, emergency management and operating the correction facility.

Treasurer
Custodian of all county funds, records revenue, collects delinquent property taxes, conducts tax foreclosures, custodian of all property tax rolls and certifications, and manages dog licenses.

Veterans Affairs
To provide financial aid and other assistance to honorably discharged, wartime veterans or their widow/widower who are residents of Ottawa County.

Vital Records
Vital Records are birth, death, and marriage records as well as Concealed Weapons (CCW) and Doing Business As (DBA) permits. Passports and Public Notary applications are also available. Certified copies of birth, death, and marriage records may be obtained from the County Clerk's Office.

Water Resources Commissioner
To protect surface waters and the environment by providing storm water management through flood control measures, the development review process, soil erosion control and water quality programs.

Other Organizations within Ottawa County

Ottawa County Central Dispatch
9-1-1 service which provides a single point of contact for all police, fire and medical emergencies occurring in Ottawa County and the entire city of Holland.

Ottawa County Road Commission
Established by State law to be responsible for all roads within Ottawa County with the exception of all State trunklines such as I-96, I-196, US-31, M-6, M-121, & M-45 and streets within the cities of Holland, Grand Haven, and Coopersville.