Kent County Administrator's Digest - April 14, 2025

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A Note From The Administrator

I hope everyone had a great Spring Break! With many folks out of the office, it was quiet and productive here -perfect for catching up on projects and finally tackling some long-overdue spring cleaning in my office. As always, please let us know if you have articles, topics, or ideas that you would like to include in future newsletters. - Al Vanderberg

Honoring Our Public Health Staff During National Public Health Week

As National Public Health Week came to a close last week, I want to take a moment to personally thank our incredible public health team here in Kent County. Their commitment to protecting and promoting the health of our residents does not go unnoticed.

Whether responding to health emergencies, tracking diseases, or supporting long-term community health, our team has shown unwavering resilience, compassion, and professionalism - especially through the unprecedented challenges of recent years.

I also want to recognize the collaboration and support we receive from our local, state, and federal partners. Together, we are stronger and more prepared to meet the evolving needs of the communities we serve.

To all of our public health employees: thank you for everything you do. Your work matters and we’re grateful for your unwavering dedication.

Spring Into Action With The 2025 Recycling Guide

Doing a little spring cleaning? Don’t just toss it - check it! The 2025 Spring Recycling Guide from our Public Works Department is here to help you sort smart and reduce waste the right way. From old paint and electronics to yard waste and bulky items, not everything belongs in your curbside bin. This easy-to-use guide breaks down what goes where, offering helpful tips for proper disposal, donation, and recycling options all around Kent County. Got questions? Call us at 616-632-7920 or email recycle@kentcountymi.gov. Let’s keep Kent County clean and clutter-free this spring!

Portable Chip Scanners Help Reunite Lost Pets With Their Families

As you may recall, several police departments across Kent County - including the Walker Police Department - received portable microchip scanners donated by our Animal Shelter. The scanners have already become a practical resource for law enforcement, particularly for night shift officers who often handle calls about found pets outside of regular shelter hours. One recent example shows just how impactful this donation has been. Officers from the Walker Police Department responded to a call about a found dog at a local apartment complex. Using the handheld scanner, they were able to quickly read the pet’s microchip and contact the owner - reuniting “Dusty” with his family in no time. In addition to the portable scanners now available in patrol vehicles, microchip scanners are also stationed at our North Campus complex in Cedar Springs and the main shelter building in Grand Rapids, providing even more access points to help reunite lost pets with their owners. Thanks to this partnership and technology, more pets are finding their way home - faster and more safely.

Support Farmland Preservation At Our Second Annual Culver’s Share Night Fundraiser - June 24

Mark your calendars! On Monday, June 24, from 5 to 8 p.m., we’re partnering once again with Culver’s for our Second Annual Share Night Fundraiser to benefit Kent County.  Ten percent of all proceeds from participating Culver’s locations during the event will directly support programs like the Kent County Purchase of Development Rights (PDR) Program, which preserves farmland by placing permanent agricultural conservation easements to ensure continued agricultural use. Proceeds will also help fund related initiatives, such as succession planning and land-linking, that support the long-term viability of farming in our community. To make this community event a success, we need your help! We’re looking for volunteers to assist at each Culver’s location throughout the evening. Volunteers will play a vital role in welcoming guests, informing them about the cause, and helping the event run smoothly. Volunteer Responsibilities: Greet guests at the door and hand out informational flyers Deliver completed food orders to tables or vehicles Help keep the dining room tidy Refill coffee for guests Supervise the tractor display outside (must be an adult) Volunteers may work in shifts, and we recommend having at least five active volunteers per hour to accommodate the evening crowd: 2 food runners 1 dining room attendant 1 floater 1 outdoor monitor If you’re available to lend a hand—and help protect Kent County farmland in the process - please sign up using our digital volunteer form: https://bit.ly/4i3sqnS Whether you volunteer, dine in, or carry out, your participation makes a real difference. We hope to see you there!

Expanded Food Assistance Now Available For Qualified Residents

Join Us In Supporting Local Veterans - Volunteers & Vendors Needed For September 11 Event

Our Veterans Services Department is gearing up for the Homeless Veteran Stand Down event in Grand Rapids on Thursday, September 11, 2025, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and we need your help to make it a success! The Stand Down is a one-day event focused on connecting Veterans facing housing insecurity with essential services. Attendees will have access to food, clothing, health screenings, and on-site support for benefits, housing, employment, substance use treatment, mental health resources, and more. Volunteers are needed to assist with setup, event coordination, and cleanup. Whether you can lend a hand for the full day or just a portion, your time makes a real difference. Interested in volunteering? Fill out the short form here: Volunteer Registration. We’ll follow up to confirm your role and schedule. Organizations and service providers are also invited to participate as vendors. This is a great opportunity to connect directly with Veterans and share your resources. To sign up as a vendor, complete the interest form here: Vendor Registration Let’s come together as a community to show our support for those who’ve served. Every role helps make this event more impactful!

Spring Planting at Millennium Park

Our Millennium Park team recently spent time planting native white pine seedlings. Spring is the perfect season to plant native species like: White pine White spruce Michigan wild cherry Eastern red cedar We do this now because seedlings are still dormant, which means they experience less stress when planted. Plus, spring rain provides the moisture they need to develop strong roots and prepare to bud just in time for summer. Our team is excited to watch these white pines grow and contribute to the long-term health of the park. Planting native trees helps support local wildlife, improves soil stability, and keeps our green spaces thriving for generations to come. To get involved and learn more about upcoming projects, programs and events, visit our website here.

Empowering Residents With Easy Access To Property Values & Tax Information

Looking to learn more about a property in Kent County? Residents can now easily search local property data online through our user-friendly tools, which combine real estate information from our Treasurer and Equalization offices. This system offers valuable insights into our community and is especially useful for: Homeowners checking property values and assessment data Buyers and sellers researching homes and neighborhoods Realtors and developers who need quick access to parcel details Taxpayers confirming property records for budgeting and planning All you need is a parcel number or an address (even a range works)! Get started and check out search tips on our website here. This data is updated annually and reflects values as of March. Any changes will be processed this month after the annual assessment cycle wraps up. For the most accurate info, it's always a good idea to verify values with your local city or township assessor.

Explore Rewarding Careers At Kent County Today

Working for the County, you will have the opportunity to serve the public and your community. We have employment opportunities in general government, health, public safety, judicial, recreational, and much more. To view our open positions and apply, visit kentcountymi.gov/jobs. To learn more about our employee value proposition, visit here.