OTTAWA COUNTY, Mich. — Ottawa County's Deputy Administrator is stepping down after less than a year on the job and will now be the deputy city manager in Wyoming.
Patrick Waterman sent a resignation to County Administrator John Gibbs, citing deep concerns over leadership in the county.
"My decision to resign stems from a deep concern regarding what I have viewed to be as a lack of effective leadership and an eroding culture of employee trust and support within the county," Waterman said to Gibbs in his letter.
"Despite my best efforts to develop a collaborative working relationship with you over the past 7 months, I do not feel as though my skills, council and experience have been valued or utilized."
Other reasons Waterman cites for leaving: being uninvited from key departmental meetings, not adhering to established county hiring policies and practices and dismissing concerns he raised related to the senior executive aid position.
Waterman also said he is grateful for the opportunities to serve Ottawa County over the last 8 months.
His resignation takes effect Aug. 4th.
Waterman joins Wyoming City Manager John Shay, who was ousted from Ottawa County in January. Shay made headlines back in January after a newly-elected Ottawa County Board of Commissioners fired Shay, and replaced him with former congressional candidate John Gibbs.
This is the latest turmoil in the Ottawa County government since the election of several commissioners who are part of the conservative organization known as Ottawa Impact.
They were elected on a platform opposed to pandemic mask rules and racial diversity efforts. They voted to close the county's office of diversity, equity and inclusion shortly after taking office and are trying to replace the county's administrative health officer.
Waterman is expected to start his new job as Wyoming deputy city manager mid-August.
"City Manager Shay is pleased to welcome Patrick Waterman to Wyoming. In appointing him to this role, Shay points to Waterman’s strong background in public administration and believes he will be a tremendous asset to the team and community," the city of Wyoming said in a statement.
Waterman has worked in local government for more than 20 years, including stints as city manager in Hudsonville and community development director in Grand Haven Charter Township.
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