Township offers manager job to Genetski

New board will have the final say at its December meeting.

The Laketown Township Manager Search Committee agreed to start contract negotiations with Bob Genetski, above, for the position of township manager.

Laketown Township agreed to offer its township manager position to Bob Genetski, instructing the township supervisor to enter contract negotiations. The new township board made up of the winners of the November election will have the final approval of the contract on its December meeting agenda.

The Manager Search Committee on Wednesday, Nov. 13, 2024, discussed Genetski, current Allegan County Clerk and Register of Deeds, and Brandon Mersman, city manager of Bronson, MI.

The third candidate, Karen Sherwood, assistant manager/human resources director of Grand Haven Township, withdrew her application, according to Jim Johnson, committee member and township treasurer. Johnson and Mike Koeman were earlier assigned to visit Sherwood at her workplace.

Laketown Township Manager candidate Bob Genetski, center, talks to residents at a meet and greet at Graafschap Fire Department, 4534 60th St., on Wednesday, Nov. 6, 2024.

Committee discussion

Committee member Mark Timmerman (incoming board trustee) supported Mersman, saying he spoke with a Bronson resident who was positive about Mersman. Timmerman described Mersman as a humble servant leader who thinks through his responses before speaking.

Committee members Patrick Dietrich (outgoing trustee), Amber Davis (outgoing clerk), and Steve Ringelberg (incoming supervisor) visited Genetski in Allegan and spoke with staff and coworkers who had “glowing comments,” according to Dietrich.

Dietrich, Johnson, Davis, Ringelberg and Linda Howell (outgoing township supervisor) supported contract negotiations with Genetski. Timmerman voted against it. Jim Delaney (incoming clerk and current trustee) and Koeman (incoming trustee) were not at the meeting.

The contract will come back before the township board for final approval. The next regular board meeting is Wednesday, Dec. 11, 2024, at the township hall, 4338 Beeline Road. The new board will consist of Supervisor Steve Ringelberg, Clerk Jim Delaney, Treasurer Jim Johnson and Trustees Mark Timmerman and Mike Koeman. All board members can be sworn in starting Nov. 20.

At the regular township board meeting on Wednesday, Nov. 13, that immediately followed the special manager search committee meeting, the current township board unanimously approved the contract negotiation within the guidelines of the job posting and that the manager’s benefits be no greater than Laketown Township staff.

Delaney was not present at that meeting.

The job offer posted a salary range of $115,000 to $140,000.

Candidates for Laketown Township manager wait to be introduced at a meet and greet at Graafschap Fire Department, 4534 60th St., on Wednesday, Nov. 6, 2024. Standing from left are Laketown Township Trustee Patrick Dietrich, and candidates Brandon Mersman, Bob Genetski and Karen Sherwood. Residents are sitting in front.

The process

Current Manager Al Meshkin announced in July his plans to retire Jan. 3, 2025. He has been manager for 35 years. The board hired the firm MGT in August for a cost of about $25,000 to conduct the search for his replacement.

In October, the township board established a Manager Search Committee consisting of the five-member township board plus three residents who won positions in the primary on Aug. 6 and the general election on Nov. 5.

The search committee chose the five candidates on Oct. 23 from a field of about 40 applicants that was narrowed to 11. The five candidates were interviewed on Oct. 30. Three candidates were interviewed Nov. 6 after a meet and greet with community members.