New Equalization Director Hired
Kent County has hired Megan VanHoose as our new equalization director. She started in her role on September 5, and is replacing Matt Woolford who retired in June after 26 years of service.
The Equalization Department handles assessments and evaluations of all commercial, private, and residential property for the purposes of county taxes. In her new role, VanHoose will design and implement an accurate system of property tax valuations throughout Kent County. She will also develop programs to improve property valuation data and oversee the County’s re-monumentation program.
Most recently, VanHoose was an assessor for Gaines Charter Township in Kent County and for Eureka Charter Township in Montcalm County. Welcome to the Kent County team Megan!
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September Service Awards
We wouldn't be the great organization we are today without our employees, as evidenced by the several staff members celebrating a milestone employment anniversary. Click here to view the list. Please extend your congratulations to these individuals!
Pictured to the right: Phil Morrow, 17th Judicial Circuit Court-Family Division Supervisor, also known as “Mr. Phil” by the youth he works with. Phil is celebrating 35 years at Kent County and has dedicated his career to mentoring and working with youth. Morrow spends his days working with youth in a court-run school program, in partnership with Lighthouse Academy School. The program provides an alternative setting for youth who have not done well in traditional school settings and focuses on a combination of work and study along with behavior modification interventions. Thank you for your dedication and service, Mr. Phil!
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Employee Recognition Award Recipients
One of Kent County’s Core Values is to provide high-quality service to internal and external customers. It is with great pleasure that we acknowledge Zorimar Johnson and Michelle (Shellie) Sutherlin for living out this value.
Zorimar is a Juvenile Probation Officer Supervisor with the 17th Judicial Circuit Court and is recognized as one of the Kent County Quality Service Employees of the 2nd Quarter. Zorimar’s high-quality service has made a meaningful impact.
Shellie is a Clerk III with the Kent County Clerk/Register of Deeds Office and is also recognized as one of the Quality Service Employees of the 2nd Quarter. Shellie’s high-quality service has made a meaningful impact on the external customers of Kent County.
Here are a few quotes from the nominating employee and community member about their exemplary work:
"Zorimar is always willing to assist Spanish-speaking guests by interpreting for them to help staff to understand what our guests need. [She] is pleasant and patient, listens intently to guests and asks for clarification when needed. She is a true asset to the Circuit Court - Family Division.”
"Mrs. Shellie Sutherlin truly makes the business at the Kent County Clerk’s Office function effectively! She helped us to see two emergency CPL’s to fruition in a timely manner. She was efficient, super warm and truly empathetic of our predicament."
Please join us in congratulating Zorimar and Shellie for being recognized as Kent County’s Employee Recognition for Quality Service award recipients. If you know a Kent County employee who is deserving of this recognition, please complete a nomination form at www.accesskent.com/qualityservice.
Health Department Award Recipients
Our colleagues at the health department had their annual staff picnic last week and they presented awards to the individuals who showcased excellent service to our patients and community members! We are so grateful for our staff and for the work, they are doing everyday to help keep our community safe and healthy! Click here to read more about each employee and the award they received.
Congratulations Kara, Brendan, Tessa, and Molly!
Disney Way Training-Sign Up Today!
Kent County has partnered with Capodagli/Jackson Consulting to take all 1,800+ employees through a customer service workshop.
If you have not signed up for the Disney Way Creating a Customer-Centric Culture Training, please sign up today!
We encourage you to sign-up for different sessions on the Kent County LMS website than your co-workers so you can meet and collaborate with employees in other departments.
There are four sessions still available for sign-up for the remainder of 2023.
- Group 13: September 18-20, 2023
- Group 14: September 20-22, 2023
- Group 15: November 13-15, 2023
- Group 16: November 15-17, 2023
An additional six sessions will be added in early 2024. These dates/times will be announced in a future employee newsletter.
The Kent-Disney Way will be led by Bill Capodagli-- an internationally recognized business author, consultant, and keynote speaker coauthoring one of Fortune Magazine's Best Business Books, The Disney Way: Harnessing the Management Secrets of Disney in Your Company. Bill has become one of the most in-demand experts on customer service and organizational transformations and has conducted this workshop with over 30 governments.
September Is Suicide Prevention Awareness Month
Every year our nation recognizes September as National Suicide Prevention Month. We wanted to take a moment to help create awareness about this important topic and to encourage more employees to learn how they can play a role in helping save lives. We all have a part to play in spreading the hopeful message that help is available and suicide can be prevented!
Many of us might worry that saying the wrong thing will make it worse. So, we end up not saying anything – even though a few kind words can make the difference in connecting someone to help or supporting someone who has experienced a suicide loss.
There are countless ways you can help someone who is struggling: by initiating open conversations about mental health; speaking up; and making sure more people know what research reveals about how we can prevent suicide.
Make a difference by taking a moment to familiarize yourself with the resources below.
Local Event Supporting Suicide Prevention Awareness Month
Millennium Park, one of our county-operated parks with be hosting this year's Out of the Darkness Community Walk on September 17, 2023
The Out of the Darkness Community Walk is a journey of remembrance, hope, and support. It unites our communities and provides an opportunity to acknowledge the ways in which suicide and mental health conditions have affected our lives and the lives of those we love and care about.
Click here for more information and to register.
Help is just a couple clicks away. The Employee Assistance Program (Encompass), provides secure and confidential assistance with mental, financial, professional, and physical wellbeing for all Kent County employees and so much more. Click here to log-in and use our organization’s code to login: kentco.
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Free Well-Being Webinars
High-energy, live weekly webinars provide inspiration and motivation to help you improve your well-being. Click here for a list of wellness webinars.
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