By Greg Chandler
Zeeland Record
Less than two years after being hired as Zeeland Township’s first manager, Josh Eggleston is stepping down to take a similar position in neighboring Holland Township.
The Holland Township board at a special noon meeting Tuesday voted 4-0 to approve a contract with Eggleston to become its manager. The board had voted to offer Eggleston the position on June 25 in a unanimous 7-0 vote.
Eggleston will replace Steve Bulthuis, who retired as Holland Township manager last month. He is expected to begin his new duties Monday, Aug. 24.
“He came in and had a great demeanor, a good knowledge of our area of western Michigan, and great experience in local government – at the city level, at the township level,” Holland Township Supervisor Russ TeSlaa said of Eggleston after the vote. “Grant writing was another positive that we really liked.”
Eggleston was selected from a field of nearly 45 candidates who applied for the position. Five candidates were interviewed, and Eggleston was the only one brought back for a second interview, TeSlaa said.
“What attracted me to (Holland) Township is that you’ve got a great organization with a lot of great staff, and I think I’ll be able to be in a position with a lot of qualified department heads to coordinate that (staff) and continue a well-run township,” Eggleston said.
Eggleston became Zeeland Township’s first manager in August 2024, after he had served as city manager in Wayland for six-and-a-half years. He submitted his resignation at the Township Board’s meeting Tuesday night.
Zeeland Township Supervisor Kerri Bosma said Eggleston will be missed, but also understood why Holland Township extended the job offer.
“Since I became township supervisor, he has been an invaluable resource,” Bosma said. “His experience and guidance have been especially helpful as the township has navigated several complex issues, including the Silver Maple solar application currently pending before the Michigan Public Service Commission.”
Eggleston had sent a memo to the Zeeland Township board in advance of Tuesday’s meeting, explaining the possibility that details of the Holland Township contract could be finalized in advance of the meeting.
“I vow to continue to work in good faith for the betterment of Zeeland Township and will diligently work to facilitate as smooth a transition as possible prior to and following my … departure,” he wrote.
The Township Board was expected Tuesday night to begin a search process for Eggleston’s successor. The board was expected to discuss whether to appoint an interim manager, as well as decide whether to appoint a transition team to ensure continuity of township operations. Details on next steps will be published in the July 16 edition of the Zeeland Record.
Bosma said there is value in having a full-time manager overseeing the township’s day-to-day business.
“As our community continues to grow, we're experiencing the growing pains that come with it,” Bosma said. “The issues we face today are more complex than they were even a few years ago, and having a professional focused on the day-to-day operations allows the board to focus on policy, long-term planning, and representing the interests of our residents while ensuring township operations continue to move forward.”
Eggleston’s starting salary at Holland Township will be $167,500. His current salary with Zeeland Township is $135,350, Township Treasurer Melissa Veldheer said.
Zeeland Record
Less than two years after being hired as Zeeland Township’s first manager, Josh Eggleston is stepping down to take a similar position in neighboring Holland Township.
The Holland Township board at a special noon meeting Tuesday voted 4-0 to approve a contract with Eggleston to become its manager. The board had voted to offer Eggleston the position on June 25 in a unanimous 7-0 vote.
Eggleston will replace Steve Bulthuis, who retired as Holland Township manager last month. He is expected to begin his new duties Monday, Aug. 24.
“He came in and had a great demeanor, a good knowledge of our area of western Michigan, and great experience in local government – at the city level, at the township level,” Holland Township Supervisor Russ TeSlaa said of Eggleston after the vote. “Grant writing was another positive that we really liked.”
Eggleston was selected from a field of nearly 45 candidates who applied for the position. Five candidates were interviewed, and Eggleston was the only one brought back for a second interview, TeSlaa said.
“What attracted me to (Holland) Township is that you’ve got a great organization with a lot of great staff, and I think I’ll be able to be in a position with a lot of qualified department heads to coordinate that (staff) and continue a well-run township,” Eggleston said.
Eggleston became Zeeland Township’s first manager in August 2024, after he had served as city manager in Wayland for six-and-a-half years. He submitted his resignation at the Township Board’s meeting Tuesday night.
Zeeland Township Supervisor Kerri Bosma said Eggleston will be missed, but also understood why Holland Township extended the job offer.
“Since I became township supervisor, he has been an invaluable resource,” Bosma said. “His experience and guidance have been especially helpful as the township has navigated several complex issues, including the Silver Maple solar application currently pending before the Michigan Public Service Commission.”
Eggleston had sent a memo to the Zeeland Township board in advance of Tuesday’s meeting, explaining the possibility that details of the Holland Township contract could be finalized in advance of the meeting.
“I vow to continue to work in good faith for the betterment of Zeeland Township and will diligently work to facilitate as smooth a transition as possible prior to and following my … departure,” he wrote.
The Township Board was expected Tuesday night to begin a search process for Eggleston’s successor. The board was expected to discuss whether to appoint an interim manager, as well as decide whether to appoint a transition team to ensure continuity of township operations. Details on next steps will be published in the July 16 edition of the Zeeland Record.
Bosma said there is value in having a full-time manager overseeing the township’s day-to-day business.
“As our community continues to grow, we're experiencing the growing pains that come with it,” Bosma said. “The issues we face today are more complex than they were even a few years ago, and having a professional focused on the day-to-day operations allows the board to focus on policy, long-term planning, and representing the interests of our residents while ensuring township operations continue to move forward.”
Eggleston’s starting salary at Holland Township will be $167,500. His current salary with Zeeland Township is $135,350, Township Treasurer Melissa Veldheer said.
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