Kent County Board of Commissioners Newsletter - October 2024

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Board Approves Federal Grant for Behavioral Health Crisis Stabilization Unit The Board approved a $750,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration to support Network 180/Trinity Health’s Behavioral Health Crisis Stabilization Unit.  In May, we celebrated the opening of this innovative facility on Trinity Health's downtown Grand Rapids campus. The center provides 24/7 walk-in and drop-off services for any adult facing an acute behavioral health or substance use crisis. With intensive treatment aimed at stabilizing crises within 24 to 72 hours, adult patients are either discharged or referred for further care. The facility also has direct access to Trinity Health's Emergency Department and hospital services. Key milestones from the Behavioral Health Crisis Center’s first few months include: 768 brief interventions and 434 crisis stabilization unit admissions 53 law enforcement drop-offs, resulting in 9 jail diversions An average drop-off time for law enforcement of just 6 minutes An average patient stay of approximately 42 hours 90% of patients admitted to the crisis stabilization unit or inpatient care have not been readmitted within 30 days The center is not only providing immediate crisis intervention, but it's also reducing the burden on local emergency departments and lowering jail admissions for adults in need of mental health care. For years, Kent County and Network 180 have collaborated with partners across healthcare, mental health systems, law enforcement, education, government, insurance providers, and community advocates to address these growing challenges. The success of the Behavioral Health Crisis Center is a testament to the strength of these partnerships. As behavioral health challenges continue to rise, the Board remains dedicated to supporting innovative solutions like the Crisis Stabilization Unit to meet the needs of our community. This facility is a critical step forward in reshaping mental health care in Kent County, and we are proud of the role it plays in that effort.

State of the County

On October 2, Board Chair Stan Stek and County Administrator Al Vanderberg addressed nearly 300 elected officials, business owners, and community leaders to highlight the county's recent achievements and share a vision for future growth and transformation. Stek emphasized how Kent County’s increasing diversity, education levels, and prosperity over the past decade call for adapting services to meet evolving needs.

Key accomplishments included the creation of a new 63rd District Court judgeship, the addition of 34 new officers to the Sheriff's Office for road patrol and corrections, the launch of a Public Defender's Office to represent indigent adults, the establishment of a Domestic Violence Specialty Court to reduce repeat offenses, and the implementation of a school safety radio network to enhance police response in emergencies.

Stek and Vanderberg also provided updates on the Grand River Greenway project, which will connect trails from Grand Rapids to Grand Haven, and discussed future waste management plans following setbacks to the county's Sustainable Business Park initiative.

For more details, click here to watch the full address.

Board Approves 2024 Apportionment Report

One of the Board of Commissioners' most important, yet often underrecognized, responsibilities is the acceptance of the annual Apportionment Report from the Equalization Department. This report provides a comprehensive analysis of Kent County's millage rates and their relation to various local governmental units, including the County, Townships, Villages, Cities, local school districts, Intermediate School Districts, and the Community College.

The Apportionment Report is much more than a technical document; it plays a vital role in determining how tax revenue is distributed across these entities.

Understanding how property taxes are calculated can be complex. Taxable values, which depend on the type of property owned, form only part of the equation. The other part involves the millage rates levied by every government unit where the property is located. 

For instance, a property located in Cascade Township within the Forest Hills School District is subject to multiple levies: 3.8464 mills from Cascade Township, 25.0446 mills from the Forest Hills School District, and 6.0494 mills from Kent County, among others. The total homestead millage rate for this property would be 49.1375 mills. However, if the property qualifies for the Principal Residence Exemption, exempting it from the school operating mills, the total millage rate would be reduced to 31.1375 mills. 

Beyond organizing current millage rates, the Apportionment Report also accounts for the impact of the Headlee Amendment. Since 1978, this amendment has limited local governments' ability to increase spending by proportionally reducing millage rates as the total tax base grows. Each year, the Equalization Department calculates the Millage Reduction (Rollback) Fractions for every taxing authority to ensure compliance with the amendment.

Ultimately, voters have the power to influence millage rates by approving or rejecting new levies or renewing existing ones, underscoring their significant role in shaping local taxation.

All of these rates and others are compiled in the Apportionment Report, which the Board typically approves in October or November. The report must be filed with the State by December 1, as required by Public Act 35 of 2001.

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 October Board meetings:

October 10, 2024 Meeting

Meeting highlights: Invocation by Commissioner Walter Bujak Special Order of Business: Network180 Annual Report Presentation by Bill Ward, Executive Director, and Beverly Ryskamp, COO Resolution Passed to Approve the Grand Rapids Whitewater Agreement Amendment Resolution Passed to Approve the Acrisure Amphitheater Parking Structure Agreement Resolution Passed to Approve the Fiscal Year 2025 Prevention Initiative Funding Allocations Resolution Passed to Approve an Amendment to the Articles of Incorporation of the Grand Valley Metro Council, Adding Blendon Township (Ottawa County)

October 24, 2024 Meeting

Meeting highlights: Invocation by Commissioner Ben Greene Special Order of Business: Employee Recognition for Quality Service - Melissa Denson, Prosecutor’s Office Victim/Witness Advocate and Nicholas Young, Probate Court Clerk III Special Order of Business: Grand Rapids Public Museum Annual Report by Dale Robertson, President & CEO Special Order of Business: Kent District Library Annual Report by Lance Werner, Executive Director Resolution Passed to Add One 0.6 FTE Public Health Nurse Position for the Early Childhood Millage Lead Prevention Program Resolution Passed to Approve Behavioral Health Crisis Stabilization Unit Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration Grant Resolution Passed to Accept the 2024 Apportionment Report Resolution Passed to Dissolve the Friend of the Court Citizens Advisory Committee

Around The County

• Kent County’s Community Action, in partnership with Tyrone Township, celebrated the demolition of an abandoned building to make way for a public park, green space, and the proposed new Kent City Library. This revitalization effort was supported by $300,000 from Kent County’s Community Development Block Grant Program (CDBG), with additional matching funds provided by Tyrone Township.
• Kent County Veterans Services (KCVS) will launch Operation Green Light from November 4-11 to honor veterans. Businesses and residents are encouraged to replace outdoor lights with green bulbs to show support for military veterans and raise awareness of the resources available through KCVS. To participate, you can purchase green light bulbs for your home or business, and rally friends, family, and networks to join this worthwhile effort. KCVS has a limited supply of green light bulbs—stop by during business hours to pick one up! 

• A Transportation Mobility Study was released to improve travel across Kent County. Your participation in this survey will help us evaluate current mobility services, identify unmet needs, and propose comprehensive solutions for the entire county. The survey is available in English and Spanish. Click here to access the survey, and encourage your friends, family, and colleagues to take part!

All County Offices and Health Department Clinics Will Be Closed In Observance of Veterans Day All County offices and clinics will be closed on Monday, November 11, in observance of Veterans Day. Regular operations will resume on Tuesday, November 12.

Upcoming Meetings

• Tuesday, Nov. 5: Finance and Physical Resources Committee
• Thursday, Nov.  7: Board of Commissioners Meeting
• Tuesday, Nov. 12: Legislative and Human Resources Committee
• Tuesday, Nov. 19: Finance and Physical Resources Committee
• Thursday, Nov. 21: Board of Commissioners Meeting
• Tuesday, Nov. 26: Legislative and Human Resources Committee

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.