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Administrator's Digest
August 21, 2023
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A Note From the Administrator
This time of year, there is always a rush to soak in the last weeks of Michigan summer before school, sports and other fall activities fill up our calendars.
Last week, I had the opportunity to participate in a panel discussion with Grand Rapids City Manager Mark Washington at the Grand Rapids Chamber Policy Conference. We had a great discussion on the strategic initiatives that are underway in our community - amphitheater, airport expansion and upgrades, aquarium, and much more. It is a great time to live and work in Kent County!
On Thursday, the Board of Commissioners will be adopting our Fiscal Year 2024 budget. Last year, we reset the County’s fiscal year end to September 30 so this will be the first budget with the new fiscal year end date. As we enter September, the Board will be finalizing our space needs study.
Please let us know if you have articles, topics, or ideas that you would like to include in future newsletters.
- Al Vanderberg
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Local Unit Quadrant Meetings
The next round of County/local unit quadrant meetings are scheduled for this Fall. Join us at an upcoming meeting where local unit officials, County Commissioners, county-wide elected officials, and staff will present on and discuss various topics. Please be sure to respond to the calendar invitations. If you are unable to attend the meeting in your area, feel free to join another meeting - please reach out to Katie VanHevel for additional information or questions.
Wednesday September 13, 3 p.m. - 5 p.m. in Kentwood
Local units: City of Walker, City of Grand Rapids, Grand Rapids Township, City of East Grand Rapids, City of Grandville, City of Wyoming, City of Kentwood
Wednesday September 20, 3 p.m. - 5 p.m. in Alpine Township
Local units: Ada Township, Vergennes Township, Alpine Township, Plainfield Township, Cannon Township, Grattan Township
Tuesday October 17, 3 p.m. - 5 p.m. in Nelson Township
Local units: Sparta Township, Village of Sparta, Algoma Township, City of Rockford, Courtland Township, Oakfield Township, Spencer Township, Nelson Township, Village of Sand Lake, Solon Township, Tyrone Township, City of Cedar Springs, Village of Casnovia, Village of Kent City
Wednesday October 18, 3 p.m. - 5 p.m. in Cascade Township
Local units: Byron Township, Gaines Township, Village of Caledonia, Cascade Township, Caledonia Township, Lowell Township, Bowne Township, City of Lowell
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Affordable Housing Loan Fund and New Municipal Grants
The Kent County Municipal Grant Program is now open for applications. This program empowers local municipalities to approve changes to their Master Plan or zoning ordinances to pave the way for increased housing supply. Grants cover changes that allow for more diverse housing typologies, increased density and other barriers to development. The Kent County Board of Commissioners appropriated $500,000 last December to support this initiative. Click here to apply today!
The Board of Commissioners also approved the Affordable Housing Loan Fund. This fund, which received $17.5 million in County ARPA funds, will be matched by lender IFF, resulting in a remarkable $58.3 million fund. With our current housing crisis, this initiative will support rental and homeownership developments that meet certain affordability requirements and will truly make a meaningful difference for families who desperately need more affordable housing options.
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An Opportunity to Get Involved
The Kent County Board of Commissioners annually seeks residents interested in serving the community through appointment to its boards, commissions and committees. As a participant, your unique skills and perspectives have the potential to provide input, shape programming, and drive change for organizational growth.
Embrace the opportunity to make a lasting impact by applying today! There are over 30 different boards, commissions and committees to choose from and the openings /descriptions can be found here. Interviews will begin in October.
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Clear the Shelters
NBCUniversal Local is teaming up with the Kent County Animal Shelter, along with hundreds of shelters nationwide to host Clear The Shelters, a campaign that helps find loving homes for animals in need.
Now through August 26, all puppy and dog adoptions are just $17 at the animal shelter. Visit www.KCanimalshelter.petfinder.com to view them all or stop by today to meet your new best friend!
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Code Red! Last week, there are 148 animals at our Animal Shelter and over 40 of them were stray animals just waiting for their families to find them. If you are missing a pet or know someone who is, please have them call or stop at the shelter. The Shelter is also encouraging anyone who has lost or found a pet to upload a photo to Petco Love Lost which uses pet facial recognition to send you alerts for similar looking animals. Click here to learn more about this service.
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Food Packing and Distribution Volunteer Events
Kent County Community Action has several volunteer opportunities coming up in September to help with food packing and distribution! If you or your organization would like to volunteer at one of our events, you can sign up for any of the below opportunities here.
Kent County Community Action CSFP Food Packing
Location: 5899 Comstock Park Dr NW, Comstock Park, MI 49321 - Indoors
- Wednesday, September 6, 2023, 8:00am - 1:00pm
- Friday, September 8, 2023, 8:00am - 1:00pm
- Friday, September 15, 2023, 8:00am - 1:00pm – United Way Day of Caring
TEFAP - General Public Food Box Packing
Location: 5899 Comstock Park Dr NW, Comstock Park, MI 49321 - Indoors
- Monday, September 11, 2023
- Tuesday, September 26, 2023
- Wednesday, September 27, 2023
Kent County Community Action - Food Distribution
Location: Eastern Ave Christian Reformed Church, 514 Eastern Ave SE, Pantry Lower Floor, Grand Rapids, MI 49503 - Indoors/Outdoors
- Tuesday, September 12, 2023, 1:00pm - 6:00pm
Kent County Community Action CSFP Food Distribution
Location: 121 Martin Luther King Jr St SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49507 - Outdoors
- Friday, September 22, 2023, 8:30am - 2:30pm
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Homeless Veterans Stand Down Event
Kent County Veterans Services (KCVS) is helping veterans who are experiencing homelessness find the help they need at the Homeless Veterans Stand Down event on September 7 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
The event, located at KCVS at 836 Fuller Ave. in Grand Rapids, will provide food, clothing, haircuts, hygiene products, and supplies to veterans, in addition to giving them a chance to discuss possible resources.
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New DPW Technology Highlighted in National Media
In June, the Department of Public Works (DPW) employed three recycling robots that possess artificial intelligence in order to sort materials at a quicker rate with increased accuracy, obtaining valuable recyclables. This new innovation was facilitated through a grant from Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy (EGLE). The Atlantic recently published an article on how AI is revolutionizing the recycling field. The DPW's Steve Faber is featured in the story expressing that the technology has "facilitated the plant to differentiate and resell #5 polypropylene, a plastic found in coffee pods and other lightweight food containers, that had formerly been merged into worthless bales." Click here to read the full story.
Impacting the Community Starts with You. Click here to see current career opportunities.
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