The Ottawa County Board of Commissioners broke a multi-year habit of reserving settlement talks to closed session when officials voted to negotiate from the dais.

Ottawa County commissioners have approved paying $190,000 to fired former county administrator John Gibbs in a settlement deal that erases his termination. Commissioners approved the controversial settlement in a 7-4 split vote Tuesday,

After nearly a year of litigation, the cases brought by John Gibbs against the county board and Joe Moss will be settled with a payout and other terms.

Ottawa County commissioners voted to settle with former Administrator John Gibbs during a meeting Tuesday night.