Kent County Administrator's Digest - Employee Spotlight, Tree Canopies, ArtPrize, and more!

Summer is always an exciting time, with so many opportunities to come together and celebrate our community! I especially enjoyed attending our North Community Fest event last Thursday, as well as National Night Out and the Kent County Youth Fair this month. Each of these events was a great reminder of the many ways our residents, families and partners come together to make Kent County a great place to live.

I also don’t want to miss the opportunity to recognize and thank our Elections team for their hard work and dedication in making this month’s Primary Election a success. Conducting an election takes months of preparation and the coordinated efforts of staff, local clerks, poll workers and election partners across the county. From preparing ballots and equipment to supporting local jurisdictions and ensuring election results were accurately reported, our Elections team worked diligently to help ensure a smooth and secure election process. And they are no doubt already preparing for the November 3 General Election!

Last week, I attended the Experience Grand Rapids Board Retreat in Traverse City with Commissioner Dave Hildenbrand. It was a valuable opportunity to connect with regional leaders, exchange ideas, and discuss the continued growth and success of our county.

As always, please let us know if you have articles, topics, or ideas that you would like to include in future newsletters. - Al Vanderberg

We are so grateful for Jessica Snell’s work as a Clerk III in our Friend of the Court (FOC)!

Jessica has been with the FOC for nearly eight years, serving in several roles before joining the Resources for Parents Program. Today, she helps clients navigate challenges such as unemployment, transportation and housing instability by connecting them with resources and support.

Jessica is passionate about education and making the court process easier to understand. She has helped create events such as the FOC Academy and “How to Read Your Court Order,” giving clients a welcoming place to ask questions and build confidence. Outside of work, she is a longtime stand-up comedian. She says comedy has strengthened her ability to connect with people, listen and find common ground - skills that also make her a strong advocate for clients.

Read our full interview with Jessica and learn more about her story here.

As we turned the calendar from July to August, our crew reached an exciting milestone - more than 11,000 individual trees mapped across these three parks! For each tree, we've recorded its GPS location, species, and size, creating a valuable dataset that helps us better understand natural forest regeneration and make informed management decisions that will support healthy, resilient ecosystems for years to come.

This work wouldn't have been possible without the incredible volunteers who joined our Tree Detectives events over the past couple of summers. Thank you for your time, enthusiasm, and dedication!

As the school year approaches, our Health Department team advises residents to add immunizations to their back-to-school checklist. Schools bring many children together, making it easier for viruses and bacteria to spread.

Before school starts, check your child’s immunization records and talk with your healthcare provider about any vaccines that may be due. It’s never too late to catch up on recommended vaccinations. Planning ahead can also help avoid last-minute appointments and ensure your child is protected on time.

Staying up to date on recommended vaccines helps protect children from serious diseases while also helping protect classmates, teachers, families and the broader community.

Need an appointment? You can call our Health Department at 616-632-7200.

Want to impact your community? The Kent County Board of Commissioners is seeking residents interested in serving the community through appointment to its boards, commissions, and committees.

Some current vacancies are already posted online, and residents are encouraged to review and apply for those opportunities now. A full list of available positions will be available and emailed later this week.

Qualified Kent County residents may apply online by creating an account and submitting an application through the County’s website. Resumes and cover letters are encouraged.

For more information, contact the Board of Commissioners’ Office at 616-632-7580.

Want to make an impact on your community? Our Community Action team is looking for volunteers to help pack and distribute food boxes to neighbors in need. Whether you have a few hours to spare or want to get your business more involved, your time can make a real difference. You’ll meet new people, build valuable skills and help strengthen our community - one food box at a time.

A huge thank you to our friends at Intandem Credit Union for volunteering with us throughout July! Their team helped pack food boxes for our Commodity Supplemental Food Program, helping ensure local older adults receive nutritious food each month.

Learn more about volunteer opportunities: kentcountymi.gov/216/Volunteer

With ArtPrize starting next month, our Veterans Services team is highlighting some of the 19 veteran artists participating through our partnership with Art For Honor.

Meet United States Navy Veteran Felipe Rey “RT” Torres, a first-time ArtPrize artist whose passion for music began in high school. Today, RT produces albums and creates music inspired by his life experiences.

RT speaks 12 languages and originally dreamed of becoming a police officer. When a decline in his physical health changed those plans, he turned his focus to music and discovered a new path forward.

RT was introduced to us through our connection with Grand Rapids Community College and we’re excited to share his story and creative work with the community. Come experience the inspiring stories, meaningful artwork and voices of veterans brought to life through art outside Grand Rapids City Hall from September 17 - October 3, 2026.

Our Veterans Services team is seeking nominations for the 75th Annual Veteran of the Year - recognizing a local veteran whose volunteer service has significantly improved the lives of fellow veterans and strengthened the community.

Nominate someone today here. Nominations are due September 1, 2026.

John Ball Zoo's interim CEO, Rob VerHeulen, and his wife, Norma, recently had the pleasure of serving as guest readers at a story time event hosted by the John Ball Area Neighbors (JBAN)! 

Families gathered to enjoy stories handpicked by Rob and Norma, creating a fun morning of reading and community connection. The John Ball Zoo team was also on hand with conservation and education activities, including our Habitat Hero booth, where guests learned about the importance of pollinator plants and even took one home to help support local wildlife.

What happens when Michigan agriculture meets artificial intelligence? At Riveridge Produce Marketing in Sparta, technology is helping make apple packing more precise and efficient.

Riveridge’s advanced sorting systems use cameras and imaging technology to identify characteristics such as apple size, color and external defects. AI-enabled software then helps operators tailor apple packs to specific customer specifications.

This technology helps match apples with the right markets while improving efficiency throughout the packing process. It’s a great example of how innovation is complementing the expertise of Michigan’s agricultural industry and helping build a stronger future for farming.

See the technology in action during GR Tech Week on September 16 from 2 p.m. - 3:30 pm! To learn more about how AI and technology are being used in modern apple production and packing, register for the event here.

Looking to strengthen your financial skills, prepare for homeownership or better manage your money? Michigan State University Extension is offering a series of free online Money Management and Homeownership Education webinars throughout September.

Topics include: The Informed Renter, How Much Home Can You Afford?, Thriving on a Fixed Income, Mortgage Foreclosure Basics, Make a Spending Plan Work For You, Tips to Build and Protect Your Credit, Protecting Your Identity, and Your Money, Your Goals. Sessions are offered at various times throughout the month to make it easier to participate.

All webinars are free, but pre-registration is required. Participants can register and find more information at MIMoneyHealth.org.

Prefer to learn at your own pace? MSU Extension also offers eHome America Money Management eHome America Money Management, with income-based scholarships available.