Ottawa County promotes from within for treasurer role

OTTAWA COUNTY — Ottawa County's next treasurer is very familiar with the department — because she already works there.

The county's search committee appointed Deputy Treasurer Cheryl Clark to the position Tuesday, Dec. 19, effective Dec. 31, when current Treasurer Amanda Price will retire.

"I'm excited," Clark said after she was informed of the appointment.

The county treasurer heads up the department that handles, among other responsibilities, the collection of delinquent property taxes, forfeiture and foreclosure of properties, all revenue and investments for the county, and dog licensing.

More: Meet the candidates vying to be the next Ottawa County treasurer

Per state statute, a panel of county officials — Clerk Justin Roebuck, Prosecutor Lee Fisher and Probate Judge Mark Feyen — met with eight finalists Friday, Dec. 15. More than 20 applied for the position. On Tuesday, the group reconvened to discuss the finalists.

Feyen said he was happy to see a large pool of qualified candidates.

"I was pleased with everyone we interviewed," he said. "They’re all people of integrity."

Fisher agreed. "I’m sure any of them can do the job."

Roebuck said having a large pool of applicants was "a great problem to have," but admitted the responsibility of having to make the decision weighed heavily on him.

"I feel like this is a bit of a different situation than 2018," he said, referring to when Price was appointed to the role. "I was really impressed by all of the candidates. It’s a great problem to have, but I also feel pretty strongly that we have a unique situation, where I honestly don’t like this at all. It’s three people choosing an elected official, which feels strange."

State law, however, dictates an appointment be made, and all three panelists seemed to lean the same way.

Roebuck said, referring to Clark, "One candidate, for me, has risen to the top, who can do this job at day one and allow us to get that point where the voters choose the next treasurer, whether it’s that candidate or not."

Feyen said he wanted to select a candidate with previous experience working in government and elected office.

"I would like to not go in the direction of the bankers and accountants and focus on those who have government experience and political experience," he said.

Clark has served Ottawa County as chief deputy treasurer for 15 years. Before that, she was the Robinson Township treasurer for a decade, where she'd previously been an account technician. She has a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Cornerstone University.

Fisher said Clark was his first choice.

"She’s been the chief deputy treasurer for 15 years. She's had control over all personnel during that time, which includes scheduling, work assignments, training, discipline — she’s very familiar with the roles, including the banking and investment rules," he said.

Fisher said Clark also has experience running for local office, as well as navigating the world of negative politics, alluding to Clark surviving a recall election in 2005 after some residents voiced displeasure over "fiscal irresponsibility and misuse of public funds" regarding a severance package given to a former at-will employee.

"She’s a longtime Ottawa County employee, and I think that means something, and I think that gives her the right to a chance at this position," Fisher said. "She’s held elected office and I think she can run a campaign. I think she’s coming into this with eyes wide open."

Roebuck said he "came away with the same feeling."

Roebuck said if Ottawa County residents are happy with the services they've received over the past four elections cycles, "that falls also on Cheryl."

"She’s been responsible for the office and getting the work done for the past 15 years. It seems the voters have been happy with that leadership."

The appointment was approved unanimously.

During her interview Friday, Clark said her priorities include upgrading the department's software, streamlining the county's credit card payment services and offering cross-training opportunities to all employees.

"As an employee, when you know the big picture, you have a better understanding of the office," she said.

Clark said she plans to run for a full four-year term in 2024.

"I'll be calling a campaign manager and getting a website set up," she told The Sentinel on Tuesday.

Ben Genser, a finalist endorsed by the Ottawa Impact-controlled county GOP, was present for the committee's deliberations. He told officials afterward he plans to run as a Republican for the seat in 2024. Earlier this year, he unsuccessfully ran for Grand Haven mayor.

When asked how she plans to run against a fellow Republican next year, Clark said it's important to focus on the issues of the position.

"I'll just focus on on my qualifications letting everybody know that I get along with everybody," she said. "I think that's what I need to focus on, and not get down in the nitty gritty and dirty mudslinging, or whatever."

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She's also prepared to hit the campaign trail while juggling the top position in her department.

"I know we have a great staff," she said. "And they supported me in this decision to apply and they'll support me here in the office, making sure everything gets done in a timely manner and done properly."

"I’m in it for the long haul now," she told the committee Friday.

— Sarah Leach is executive editor of The Holland Sentinel. Contact her at sarah.leach@hollandsentinel.com. Follow her on Twitter @SentinelLeach.

This article originally appeared on The Holland Sentinel: Ottawa County promotes from within for treasurer role