Drain Commissioner
Paul M. Geerlings
Paul M. Geerlings, Drain Commissioner
12220 Fillmore, Room 141
West Olive, MI 49460
Phone: (616) 994-4530
FAX: (616) 994-4529
draincommissioner@miottawa.org
Please Note: If you are reporting a drainage problem, please
be sure your email includes the exact location/address, your name, & a telephone number
where we can contact you. Please allow 5 business days for a response.
Hours
Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM
Drain Office Parking & Entrance
Map at the Fillmore Complex (PDF)
Staff
Linda Brown, Chief Deputy
April Abbatoy, Construction Inspector
Gail Botbyl, Development Coordinator
Michelle Wittingen, Secretary
Mike Munch, Erosion Control Agent
Jon Braxmaier, Erosion Control Inspector
Teresa Conrad, Drain Clerk
Mission Statement
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.
Department Overview
The Drain Commissioner and his staff are responsible for construction, operation and maintenance of over 800 storm water management systems, "County Drains" in Ottawa County. These systems are designed to provide storm water management, drainage, flood prevention and stream protection for urban and agricultural lands. A County Drain may be an open ditch, stream, or underground pipe, retention pond or swale that conveys storm water.
Routine maintenance of County Drains is necessary from time to time to ensure their proper function. The Drain Commissioner may in any one year, expend up to $5,000.00 per mile, per drain for maintenance and repair. Major projects are initiated through a petition process. Either property owners or a local municipality can petition the Drain Commissioner. To recover costs expended for a project, Special Assessments are levied against private properties, local municipalities, the County and the County Road Commission, railroads and state highways benefited by the construction and/or maintenance.
