What to expect on your Ottawa County ballot: Local races, proposals set for election

As the Nov. 4, 2025, general election draws closer, voters across Ottawa County's cities are preparing to select their local leadership. 

Following the Aug. 5 primary, the fields for the general election have been finalized. However, the official deadline for write-in candidates to file a declaration of intent is 4 p.m. Oct. 24, meaning additional write-in candidates may still be possible. All positions are nonpartisan.

City of Coopersville

In Coopersville, the mayoral race (four-year term) features non-incumbent Brian Mooney.

The council member at-large race (four-year term) has five candidates competing for three open seats, including three incumbents: Peter Weise, Jillian Poelma, and Shane Gerard. They are challenged by newcomers Jamie M. Adams and Tiffany Langlois.

City of Ferrysburg

Ferrysburg has a contested race for the mayoral seat (two-year term) between incumbent Richard Carison and Jerry Sias, a current city councilman.

For the three open council member at-large seats (four-year term), four candidates are competing: incumbents Bill Cate and Debbie Murdoch, non-incumbent David Cook and write-in candidate Tim O'Donnell.

City of Grand Haven

Mayor Bob Monetza currently runs unopposed for his two-year term.

The council member at-large race (four-year term) for two positions has three non-incumbents: Erin Lyon, Sarah Kallio and Dennis Scott.

There is also a race for a partial term for a council seat (expiring Nov. 7, 2027), where non-incumbent Mike Dora is the sole remaining candidate after Oliver Shampine withdrew.

Finally, the City of Grand Haven’s Board of Light and Power has two positions up for election: incumbent Todd Crum for the full six-year term and incumbent Phillip Polyak for the partial term (expiring Nov. 7, 2027).

City of Holland

The City of Holland is seeing competitive races for its top office and most council seats.

In the mayoral race (two-year term), incumbent Nathan Bocks is challenged by Brian M. Everitt.

For the at-large council member seat (four-year term, one position), incumbent Quincy Byrd is being challenged by Abby Klomparens.

Ward races are also competitive:

• 1st Ward council member: Incumbent Tim Vreeman faces non-incumbent Linda Falstad, who has filed as a write-in candidate.
• 3rd Ward council member: Incumbent Byinda Sól is challenged by Tim Marroquin.
• 5th Ward council member: Incumbent Scott Corbin currently runs unopposed for the four-year term.

City of Hudsonville

Hudsonville voters will decide on city commissioner seats across its wards:

• 1st Ward City Commissioner: Incumbent Jack Groot is challenged by non-incumbent Gabrielle Dunai for the four-year term.
• 2nd Ward City Commissioner: Incumbent Dan Bolhuis is currently unopposed.
• 3rd Ward City Commissioner: Incumbent Larry Brandsen is currently unopposed for the full four-year term.
• 3rd Ward Partial Term: Incumbent Jeremy Kamp is challenged by non-incumbent Thomas Verstraete for the partial term ending Nov. 7, 2027.

City of Zeeland

The contest for Zeeland Mayor (two-year term) currently features one candidate, non-incumbent Richard J. Van Dorp III.

The council member at-large race (four-year term) is highly competitive, with six candidates vying for three open positions. Incumbent Glenn T. Kass seeks to retain his seat against five challengers: Amy Langeland, Rebecca Perkins, Ericka Humbert, Kylee DeBoer and Andrew Bult. Candidate Daniel Johe Klompmaker has withdrawn from the race.

Proposals 

City of Grand Haven: Department of Public Safety Millage Proposition

Ballot language: Shall a new millage be levied by the City of Grand Haven, Ottawa County, Michigan, on all property assessed for taxes, at the amount of 2.0 mills ($2.00 per $1,000 of taxable value) for a period of 10 years (2026 through 2035, inclusive), for the purpose of funding police and fire services in the City’s Department of Public Safety, which levy is estimated to raise $1,797,486.30 in the first year of the levy, and shall the City of Grand Haven be authorized to levy that tax?

(To the extent required by law, a small portion of the tax levy will be captured by and disbursed to the Brownfield Redevelopment Authority of the City of Grand Haven and the Main Street Downtown Development Authority of the City of Grand Haven.)

What it means: If approved, this millage would increase taxpayers' property taxes by $2 for every $1,000 of their property's taxable value. This money is specifically designated to fund police and fire services within the city's Department of Public Safety, and it's projected to raise about $1.8 million in its first year. The tax is not permanent; it would last for 10 years, from 2026 through 2035, after which voters would need to renew it, though a small, legally required portion of the collected funds will be diverted to the Brownfield and Main Street Downtown Development Authorities.

City of Holland Headlee Override Millage Ballot Proposition 

Ballot language: Shall the authorized charter millage for the City of Holland, established at 17.5 mills ($17.50 per $1,000 of taxable value) and reduced to 14.4480 mills ($14.45 per $1,000 of taxable value), by the required millage rollbacks, be increased in an amount not to exceed 3.052 ($3.05 per $1,000 of taxable value) to restore the full amount of the original authorized charter rate for each year in perpetuity, as a new additional millage in excess of the limitation imposed by Michigan Compiled Laws section 211.34d, to provide funds for general operating purposes? The estimated additional Ad Valorem tax revenue that the City will collect if the maximum millage is authorized and levied by the City in the 2026 calendar year is approximately $5,221,585. 

What it means: This ballot proposes increasing Holland's charter millage by 3.052 mills to restore the original rate of 17.5 mills, costing taxpayers an additional $3.05 per $1,000 of taxable value to generate an estimated $5.2 million for general operations in 2026. This increase is a new, permanent additional millage.

Grandville Public Schools Sinking Fund Millage Proposal

Ballot language: Shall the limitation on the amount of taxes which may be assessed against all property in Grandville Public Schools, Kent and Ottawa Counties, Michigan, be increased by and the board of education be authorized to levy not to exceed 1.4 mills ($1.40 on each $1,000 of taxable valuation) for a period of 10 years, 2027 to 2036, inclusive, to create a sinking fund for the purchase of real estate for sites for and the construction or repair of school buildings; for school security improvements; for the acquisition or upgrading of technology; for the acquisition of student transportation vehicles; for the acquisition of parts, supplies, and equipment used for the maintenance of student transportation vehicles; for the acquisition of eligible trucks and vans used to carry parts, equipment, and personnel for or in the maintenance of school buildings; for the acquisition of parts, supplies, and equipment used to maintain such trucks and vans; and all other purposes authorized by law; the estimate of the revenue the school district will collect if the millage is approved and levied in 2027 is approximately $3,377,347?

What it means: This ballot proposes increasing taxes by 1.4 mills for Grandville Public Schools over 10 years (2027-2036), costing taxpayers an additional $1.40 per $1,000 of taxable value. This will generate an estimated $3.38 million in 2027 for a sinking fund to finance school construction, repairs, security, technology and transportation.

Fruitport Community Schools Bond Proposal 

Ballot language: Shall Fruitport Community Schools, Muskegon and Ottawa Counties, Michigan, borrow the sum of not to exceed Seventy-Eight Million Five Hundred Thousand Dollars ($78,500,000) and issue its general obligation unlimited tax bonds therefor, in one or more series, for the purpose of: acquiring, erecting, completing and remodeling school buildings, facilities, and additions to school buildings and facilities; equipping, re-equipping, furnishing and refurnishing school buildings and facilities; acquiring, installing, equipping and re-equipping school buildings for instructional technology; purchasing school buses; and acquiring, preparing, developing, improving and equipping athletic fields, play fields, playgrounds, structures, facilities and sites? The following is for informational purposes only: The estimated millage that will be levied for the proposed bonds in 2026 is 2.26 mills ($2.26 on each $1,000 of taxable valuation) for a 0.00 mill net increase over the prior year's levy. The maximum number of years the bonds of any series may be outstanding, exclusive of any refunding, is thirty (30) years. The estimated simple average annual millage anticipated to be required to retire this bond debt is 3.13 mills ($3 .13 on each $1,000 of taxable valuation). (Pursuant to State law, expenditure of bond proceeds must be audited and the proceeds cannot be used for repair or maintenance costs, teacher, administrator or employee salaries, or other operating expenses.)

What it means: This ballot asks to authorize Fruitport Community Schools to borrow up to $78.5 million to pay for major upgrades like new buildings, remodels, technology, buses, and athletic fields. Taxpayers will see an estimated initial levy of 2.26 mills (no net tax increase in the first year) with an average annual levy of 3.13 mills over the life of the 30-year bonds. This translates to an estimated $3.13 extra per $1,000 of taxable value on average each year.

Grandville Public Schools Operating Millage Renewal Proposal 

Ballot language: This proposal will allow the school district to continue to levy the statutory rate of not to exceed 18 mills on all property, except principal residence and other property exempted by law, required for the school district to receive its revenue per pupil foundation allowance and renews millage that will expire with the 2026 tax levy. Shall the currently authorized millage rate limitation of 19 mills ($19 on each $1,000 of taxable valuation) on the amount of taxes which may be assessed against all property, except principal residence and other property exempted by law, in Grandville Public Schools, Kent and Ottawa Counties, Michigan, be renewed for a period of five years, 2027 to 2031, inclusive, to provide funds for operating purposes; the estimate of the revenue the school district will collect if the millage is approved and 18 mills are levied in 2027 is approximately $18,087,559 (this is a renewal of millage that will expire with the 2026 tax levy)?

What it means: This ballot asks Grandville Public Schools to renew its current operating millage for five years (2027-2031). This renewal of up to 19 mills (levying 18 mills on non-homestead property) is necessary for the district to receive its full state per-pupil funding and will generate an estimated $18.09 million in 2027. This is not a tax increase.

Zeeland Public Schools Bond Proposal 

Ballot language: Shall Zeeland Public Schools, Ottawa and Allegan Counties, Michigan, borrow the sum of not to exceed One Hundred Eighty-Six Million Dollars ($186,000,000) and issue its general obligation unlimited tax bonds therefor, in one or more series, for the purpose of: erecting, remodeling, and equipping and re-equipping school buildings, facilities, and additions to school buildings and facilities; furnishing and refurnishing school buildings and facilities; purchasing school buses; acquiring, installing, equipping and re-equipping school buildings for instructional technology; and acquiring, preparing, developing, improving and equipping athletic fields, play fields, playgrounds, structures, facilities and sites? 

Context: The estimated millage that will be levied for the proposed bonds in 2027 is 2.81 mills ($2.81 on each $1,000 of taxable valuation) for a 0.00 mill net increase over the prior year’s levy. The maximum number of years the bonds of any series may be outstanding, exclusive of any refunding, is twenty-one (21) years. The estimated simple average annual millage anticipated to be required to retire this bond debt is 3.90 mills ($3.90 on each $1,000 of taxable valuation). (Pursuant to State law, expenditure of bond proceeds must be audited and the proceeds cannot be used for repair or maintenance costs, teacher, administrator or employee salaries, or other operating expenses.)

What it means: This ballot asks to authorize Zeeland Public Schools to borrow up to $186 million by issuing bonds over a maximum of 21 years for major improvements like new construction, remodeling, technology, buses and athletic facilities. Taxpayers will see an estimated initial levy of 2.81 mills (no net tax increase in the first year) with an average annual levy of 3.90 mills over the life of the bonds. This translates to an estimated $3.90 extra per $1,000 of taxable value on average each year.

Regional Enhancement Millage Proposal (Kent Intermediate School District)

Ballot language: This proposal renews regional enhancement millage previously approved by the electors that will expire with the 2026 levy and restores millage lost as a result of the reduction required by the Michigan Constitution of 1963. Pursuant to state law, the revenue raised by the proposed millage will be collected by the intermediate school district and distributed to constituent districts based on pupil membership count. Shall the limitation on the amount of taxes which may be assessed against all property in Kent Intermediate School District, Michigan, be renewed by .8498 mill ($0.8498 on each $1,000 of taxable valuation) and also be increased by .0502 mill ($0.0502 on each $1,000 of taxable valuation) for a total of .9 mill, for a period of 10 years, 2027 to 2036, inclusive, to provide operating funds to enhance other state and local funding for constituent district operating purposes; the estimate of the revenue the intermediate school district will collect if the millage is approved and levied in 2027 is approximately $35,606,388, which funds will be disbursed as required by statute to the following constituent districts: Byron Center Public Schools, Caledonia Community Schools, Cedar Springs Public Schools, Comstock Park Public Schools, East Grand Rapids Public Schools, Forest Hills Public Schools, Godfrey-Lee Public Schools, Godwin Heights Public Schools, Grand Rapids Public Schools, Grandville Public Schools, Kelloggsville Public School District, Kenowa Hills Public Schools, Kent City Community Schools, Kentwood Public Schools, Lowell Area Schools, Northview Public Schools, Rockford Public Schools, Sparta Area Schools, Thornapple Kellogg School, and Wyoming Public Schools, Byron Center Charter School, Chandler Woods Charter Academy, Covenant High School Grand Rapids, Creative Technologies Academy, Cross Creek Charter Academy, Excel Charter Academy, Gerald Dawkins Academy, Grand Rapids Child Discovery Center, Grand River Preparatory High School, Hope Academy of West Michigan, Knapp Charter Academy, Lighthouse Academy, New Branches Charter Academy, NexTech High School of Grand Rapids, PrepNet Virtual Academy, Ridge Park Charter Academy, River City Scholars Academy, Vanguard Charter Academy, Vista Charter Academy, Walker Charter Academy, Wellspring Preparatory High School, West MI Academy of Environmental Science, West Michigan Aviation Academy, and William C. Abney Academy, and to Kent Intermediate School District (.8498 mill of the above is a renewal of millage that will expire with the 2026 tax levy and .0502 mill is a restoration of millage lost as a result of the reduction required by the “Headlee” amendment to the Michigan Constitution of 1963?)

What it means: This ballot asks to renew the Kent Intermediate School District's (KISD) regional enhancement millage (0.8498 mill) and restore a small portion of a previously lost millage (0.0502 mill) for a total of 0.9 mill for 10 years (2027-2036). This levy costs taxpayers an additional 90 cents per $1,000 of taxable value (a small tax increase from the restoration portion) and will generate an estimated $35.6 million in 2027 to distribute to KISD's constituent public and charter schools for general operating purposes.

— Heather VanDyke covers northern Ottawa County for the Ottawa News Network. Contact her at hvandyke@ottawanewsnetwork.org.