A Note From The Administrator
With the school year ending and summer weather in full swing, it’s the perfect time to get outside and enjoy all that Kent County has to offer, from our parks and trails to community celebrations. As we come together for summer get-togethers and prepare to honor meaningful occasions like Juneteenth - a time for reflection and unity - please remember to be aware of air quality alerts. Smoke from Canadian wildfires may affect our region throughout the season, so be sure to stay informed and follow these steps to limit its effects.
I recently had the opportunity to meet with Rep. Glanville and Rep. Roth (Interlochen) as part of the Michigan Legislative Exchange, an initiative of the Michigan State University Institute for Public Policy and Social Research. The concept is to pair representatives from both major parties and to hold exchanges in each of their communities in an attempt to build consensus around common problems that communities face in Michigan and build bridges that hopefully will supersede the corrosive politics of our day.
As always, 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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Bat Boxes In Fallasburg Park
On Saturday, residents gathered at Fallasburg Park for a special presentation highlighting Samuel Konyndyk’s Eagle Scout project which is the construction and installation of bat boxes to support local bat populations and reduce insects like mosquitoes. One box was placed near the North Country Trail in Fallasburg Park, with more set for Townsend and Seidman Parks, all following Bat Conservation International guidelines.
Sam also plans to add educational signage to raise awareness about the importance of bats in maintaining a healthy ecosystem. The event concluded with an eco-stewardship service day in partnership with Kent Conservation District and the North Country Trail Association.
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Summer Volunteer Opportunities
Our Community Action team is gearing up for their food packing and distribution events this June and July, and they need your help!
Join us in making a difference in our community by volunteering just two hours of your time. Your efforts can ensure everyone has access to nutritious meals. No experience is necessary—just bring your passion and willingness to pitch in!
There are three shifts available: 8-10 a.m., 10 a.m. - 12 p.m., and 12 - 2 p.m. If you're interested in volunteering or want more information, please sign up here.
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Emergency Preparedness Functional Exercise
We were proud to support and have staff participate in a recent regional emergency preparedness exercise led by our Emergency Management team. The Functional Exercise brought together 27 agencies at our backup Emergency Operations Center, with a virtual link to the Gerald R. Ford International Airport EOC—showcasing strong regional collaboration and coordinated response capabilities.
Exercises like this are essential to ensuring we’re ready to respond to complex emergencies and for strengthening partnerships across agencies.
Kent County Earns AAA Bond Rating for 27th Consecutive Year
We are pleased to share that S&P Global Ratings has reaffirmed our Triple-A (AAA) bond rating - marking the 27th consecutive year Kent County has received the highest possible credit rating from both agencies. Moody’s Investors Service reaffirmed the County’s AAA rating earlier this year, in March.
According to the rating report, our strong credit profile is supported by a growing economy, consistently positive General Fund results, healthy reserves, robust fiscal planning and policies, and a manageable debt burden.
Congratulations to our Fiscal Team and the Board for this outstanding achievement.
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Measles Case Confirmed In Allegan County With Possible Exposure Sites In Kent County
The Allegan County Health Department has confirmed a case of measles and is working with our Health Department and the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services to prevent further spread. Measles is highly contagious and can remain in the air for up to two hours after an infected person leaves the area.
Individuals may have been exposed at the following Kent County locations:
- Coachmen Strength & Conditioning in Byron Center on Monday, June 2 from 6:30–9:30 p.m.
- University of Michigan Health West in Wyoming on Wednesday, June 4 from 2:18–5:02 a.m.
- UM Health West Southwest Health Center on June 4 from 11:46 a.m.–3:45 p.m.
Those who were at these locations during the specified times should monitor for symptoms for 21 days and call their healthcare provider before seeking in-person care. Post-exposure treatment may be available within six days of exposure. For more information, contact ACHD at (269) 673-5411 (Mon - Fri, 8 a.m.- 5 p.m.) or dial 2-1-1 after hours.
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"A To Z: Discovering Kent County" Series Highlights Howard Christensen Nature Center
As part of our "A to Z: Discovering Kent County" series, we are happy to highlight the Howard Christensen Nature Center, for the letter H!
Nestled in the forests of Kent City, the Howard Christensen Nature Center (HCNC) is a living tribute to the power of nature, education, and community. Spanning 135 acres of forests, wetlands, and trails, HCNC is more than a nature preserve - it is the result of a vision sparked over a century ago and carried forward by passionate individuals who believed in the healing and educational value of the natural world.
For the full article, visit our Facebook page here.
Free Hunting and Fishing Licenses For Disabled Veterans
Summer is here, and many people, including our veterans, are heading out to enjoy Michigan’s great outdoors. And our Veterans Services team wants to let the community know that disabled Michigan veterans can qualify for free hunting and fishing licenses through the Michigan Department of Natural Resources.
To be eligible, veterans must be rated as totally and permanently disabled or individually unemployable by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. Learn more about the qualifications here or call 616-632-5722 to speak with a member of our team.
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Teresa Payne Retirement
After 28 years of dedicated service, Teresa Payne has retired from Kent County, leaving behind a powerful legacy of inclusion, public health leadership, and community partnership. As the County’s first Chief Inclusion Officer, Teresa led efforts to improve organizational culture across departments and represented Kent County on several statewide initiatives.
Prior to that, she served 24 years at our Health Department in multiple leadership roles, including Deputy Administrative Health Officer. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Teresa played a critical role in vaccine access and helped build trusted community partnerships. Known for her empathy and people-first approach, Teresa truly embodied the spirit of public service. We thank her for her remarkable contributions and wish her the very best in her next chapter.
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Office Closures for Juneteenth
In recognition of Juneteenth, all Kent County offices and health clinics will be closed on Thursday, June 19, with operations resuming on Friday, June 20.
We encourage everyone to reflect on the significance of this holiday and spend time with family, friends, and the community.
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.
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