Kent County, MI
08/29/2024 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 08/29/2024 14:25
Kent County Board of Commissioners Newsletter - August 2024
Board Approves Fiscal Year 2025 Budget
The Board of Commissioners has unanimously approved a balanced budget of $623.9 million for Fiscal Year 2025, reflecting a 6.6% increase from the previous year. This budget focuses on enhancing public services while maintaining fiscal responsibility, with substantial investments in public safety, infrastructure, and employee recruitment and retention.
Key allocations include $14 million for capital improvements, such as facility upgrades, park enhancements, and the implementation of electronic filing software to streamline court operations. The budget also supports the expansion of the prosecutor's digital evidence system and other technological advancements.
Public safety remains a top priority, with $1.7 million allocated to complete the hiring of 20 additional correction officers, enhancing security and care within the jail. Another $0.9 million is designated to support 14 patrol officers, with additional funding sourced through contractual agreements with local government units. Additionally, the budget provides for establishing a new 63rd District Court judgeship and the necessary court personnel to better manage growing caseloads.
The budget also supports a general salary increase to attract and retain top talent in the county workforce. Furthermore, $10.5 million is allocated for the Ready by Five Millage, and $16.8 million for the Senior Millage, underscoring the county's commitment to early childhood development and senior services.
Kent County's strong financial management is further highlighted by maintaining a triple-A credit rating for the 26th consecutive year. For more detailed budget information, click here.
Kent County Sheriff's Office Achieves Formal Accreditation: Third in Michigan to Earn This Recognition
Retired Sheriff Matt Saxton, Michigan Sheriff's Association (MSA) Executive Director, and Ron Wiles, Deputy Director from the Michigan Association of Chiefs of Police (MACP), presented an award to Sheriff Michelle LaJoye-Young for achieving formal accreditation. This makes the Kent County Sheriff's Office (KCSO) only the third and largest accredited sheriff's office in the state of Michigan.
The MACP, in collaboration with the MSA, has developed a voluntary statewide law enforcement accreditation program for Michigan. The foundation of this program lies in the voluntary adoption of standards that contain clear statements of professional objectives and are operationally effective.
The KCSO invested significant resources to ensure its policies, procedures, and training initiatives align with industry best practices and the evolving needs of our community. This dedication to excellence and continuous improvement has been crucial in achieving accreditation.
Congratulations to Sheriff LaJoye -Young, UnderSheriff Muir, and the entire KCSO team. We are fortunate to have such a dedicated team protecting our community.
ARPA-Funded Projects Advance Community Well-being with Affordable Housing Loans and School Safety Initiatives
Kent County and IFF have awarded nearly $10 million in affordable housing loans to support three new development projects in Grand Rapids and Wyoming. These loans, part of the Kent County Affordable Housing Loan Fund, will finance the construction of 311 affordable rental units and 27 affordable condominiums. The projects-HOM Flats 28 West, Seymour Square, and Motown Square-are designed to meet diverse housing needs, ranging from affordable rentals to for-sale condominiums.
The Affordable Housing Loan Fund was established with a $58.33 million fund through a partnership between Kent County and IFF, leveraging American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds. The fund aims to address the housing shortage by supporting community-based developers who provide housing for low- to moderate-income residents. These latest loans represent the second, third, and fourth projects financed since the fund's inception in August 2023.
In a related initiative, the Board announced a $2.8 million ARPA grant to the Kent County Sheriff's Office to establish Michigan's first county-wide 800 MHz school safety radio network. This new system will facilitate a dedicated communication channel between emergency dispatch, schools, and law enforcement to share immediate, factual information during emergencies. Since the grant's approval, the Sheriff's Office has been working with school staff to ensure the network is operational before the new school year begins. The system will cover over 300 schools and 21 administrative offices, providing real-time, two-way communication during critical incidents, such as school shootings, and enabling dispatchers to issue urgent notifications, including weather warnings.
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Board Approves Lodging Tax Increase to Fund Transformational Projects The Board of Commissioners approved significant amendments to the Lodging Excise Tax Ordinance, including an increase in the lodging excise tax from 5% to 8%, effective January 1, 2025. This increase, the first since 1989, is expected to generate an additional $8 million annually, which will fund various transformational projects. The revised ordinance also expands the scope of eligible investments to include aquariums and sports complexes, aiming to enhance the quality of life for residents and boost economic development. Following the passage of House Bill 5048, Kent County was granted the authority to increase the lodging excise tax, and voters supported this change in the August 6, 2024, primary election. The Board also approved an agreement with the City of Grand Rapids to allocate tax revenue to cover bond payments for the construction of the Acrisure Amphitheater. Additionally, 17% of the tax revenue, totaling $4 million annually, will be allocated to Experience Grand Rapids to support tourism and marketing efforts in the region. |
Consumers Energy Celebrates New Substation in Walker
Congratulations to Consumers Energyon the inauguration of their new substation in the City of Walker! This investment is set to enhance the reliability of the electric grid and increase capacity, reducing the risk of outages.
Our Board Vice-Chair, Ben Greene, had the honor of speaking at the unveiling ceremony yesterday. He stated, "As we look around Walker, we see new developments arising from companies choosing to do business in Kent County. Reliable energy infrastructure, like this substation, is vital for supporting these investments and fostering economic growth."
Commissioners' Board Meeting Highlights
The Board of Commissioners generally meet on the second and fourth Thursdays of each month. Engaging in these meetings, whether attending in person or via livestream, provides an opportunity to stay updated and engaged with issues affecting the community.
Below is a video summarizing key moments from our August Board meetings:
Aug. 8, 2024 Meeting
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Some meeting highlights:
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Aug. 22, 2024 Meeting
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Some meeting highlights:
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Around The County
- On Aug.16, Kent County Clerk/Register of Deeds Lisa Posthumus Lyons certified the August Statewide Primary Election results for Kent County. Thank you to the Clerk, her team, and all of the election workers for their dedication and hard work in making the past election a success. Your commitment is greatly appreciated.
- The Health Department celebrated August as National Immunization Awarness Month, encouraging residents to contact their healthcare provider or the health department about their immunization schedule to ensure they are up to date.
Upcoming Meetings
- Tuesday, Sept. 3: Finance and Physical Resources Committee
- Tuesday, Sept. 10: Legislative and Human Resources Committee
- Thursday, Sept. 12: Board of Commissioners Meeting
- Tuesday, Sept. 17: Finance and Physical Resources Committee
- Thursday, Sept. 26: Board of Commissioners Meeting
All Board and committee meetings start at 8:30 a.m. and take place at the County Administration Building within the Board of Commissioners Chambers, unless otherwise specified.
Click here to access the meeting agenda and minutes and click here to keep apprised of any scheduling changes.
Labor Day Closure Notice
In observance of Labor Day, all county offices and health department clinics will be closed on Monday, September 2. Regular office hours and services will resume on Tuesday, September 3. We wish everyone a safe and enjoyable Labor Day weekend!