For Immediate Release
Joe Moss
Board Chairperson, District 5
Sylvia Rhodea
Board Vice-Chairperson, District 8
Update on Hearing Regarding Administrative Health Officer
On October 24, 2023, the Ottawa County Board of Commissioners began a hearing under MCL 46.11(n) to consider whether charges justify the removal of Adeline Hambley from her position as Administrative Health Officer.
The charges, as outlined by the Board Chair, were brought pursuant to all three applicable grounds, as outlined in MCL 46.11(n), and include whether the Health Officer is, in the Board’s opinion:
- Incompetent to execute properly the duties of the office
- Guilty of official misconduct
- Guilty of habitual or willful neglect of duty
The Board afforded Officer Hambley and her attorney, Sarah Howard, two full days to be heard, during which time her legal counsel presented witnesses and documents on her behalf.
The Charges and attached Exhibits were filed as a part of the hearing record. The Board allowed Officer Hambley ample time to be heard. The Charges and Exhibits can be read here: https://www.miottawa.org/CalendarDocs/2023/1698088950274-packet.PDF
The hearing took place on October 24-25, 2023, and was recessed until October 30, 2023, to allow the Board of Commissioners full opportunity to review the evidence and documents presented. On October 30, 2023, the meeting was again recessed until November 6, 2023, to allow additional time for consideration of the evidence.
On November 6, 2023, the Board of Commissioners resumed the Special Meeting and voted to “go to closed session pursuant to MCL 15.268 (e) to consult with corporate counsel regarding litigation in connection with Hambley v. Ottawa County, because an open meeting would have a detrimental financial effect on the litigation or a settlement position of the county.”
At the end of closed session on November 6, 2023, the Board publicly voted to “accept counsel’s recommendation regarding litigation and settlement activities in the case of Hambley v. Ottawa County, as addressed during closed session.” The Board cannot vote in closed session to accept a settlement, and the Board has never voted publicly to enter into a settlement agreement with Ms. Hambley. The motion was clear; it was to continue the litigation and settlement activities to resolve this matter. This is also evidenced by the fact that the Board voted to recess the meeting until November 14, 2023. If the Board had actually reached an alleged final settlement on November 6, 2023, there would be no reason to recess until November 14, 2023. Moreover, no final settlement documents have ever been signed by anyone.
On November 14, 2023, the Board of Commissioners resumed the Special Meeting to consider the charges against Ms. Hambley and again voted to go into closed session regarding the Hambley v. Ottawa County litigation. At the end of closed session on November 14, 2023, the Board voted to recess the Special Meeting to November 28, 2023 at 1:30 PM.
Contrary to recent erroneous news reports, which cited potential illegal leaks from a closed session, the Board has not voted on, nor approved, a settlement amount of $4 Million Dollars or any other amount. Again, a settlement vote can only occur in the presence of the public.
Should an agreement on litigation ultimately not be reached, the Board will return to the Special Meeting and make a determination on the charges of whether the Health Officer is, in the Board’s opinion:
- Incompetent to execute properly the duties of the office
- Guilty of official misconduct
- Guilty of habitual or willful neglect of duty
If the Board determines that Ms. Hambley is guilty of any or all of the above standards, then it must vote whether there is sufficient cause to remove Ms. Hambley from her position. The Board continues to work through the proper process of the Special Meeting and decisions regarding the litigation of Hambley v. Ottawa County. We appreciate the patience of the community as the Board seeks to resolve this matter in the best interest of the County, allowing for the necessary time and process to do so.