According to Michigan Radio, the Ottawa County Board of Commissioners has approved a measure to eliminate an elected position by merging the County Clerk and Register of Deeds offices.

A report by County Administrator Al Vanderberg concluded the consolidation was "administratively feasible" and could save at least $125,000, as reported by The Grand Rapids Press.  On the other hand, opponents of the measure argue the duties of the Clerk and Register of Deeds are substantially different and that consolidation could require costly training.

32 Michigan counties have combined clerk and register of deeds positions into a single office. The combination of the two offices is permitted pursuant to Article VII, Section 4 of the Michigan Constitution.