Kent County Administrator's Digest - Advancements In Recycling Technology, New Deer Management Tool, and more!

It’s been an exciting month, and I’m proud of the progress we continue to make together across Kent County. Our Board of Commissioners recently approved a balanced FY 2027 budget which will make strategic investments in public safety, infrastructure, parks and our employees. We also maintained our AAA credit ratings for the 28th consecutive year - a strong reflection of the County’s continued financial strength and stability.

On a more personal note, I was honored to be recognized with a five-year service pin, at our most recent Board of Commissioners meeting. I’m proud of what we’ve accomplished as a team over these five years as County Administrator, but even more excited about what’s ahead.

Last week, I participated in the ribbon cutting for the Gerald R. Ford International Airport’s newly completed Terminal Enhancement Project. This exciting expansion will improve efficiency, increase capacity and enhance the guest experience, including a transformed ticketing area and new technology that increases baggage processing capacity from 600 to nearly 1,000 bags per hour. The airport is the first in the nation to pair this technology with a self-service bag check process, something our entire community will value when traveling. Congratulations to Tory and his entire team on this accomplishment. 

Thank you to everyone who continues to contribute to the work we do and make our County such a great place to live, work and visit. As always, please let us know if you have articles, topics, or ideas that you would like to include in future newsletters.

- Al Vanderberg

Our Public Works Department’s partnership with AMP is gaining national attention for an innovative approach to recovering recyclable materials. The project was recently highlighted in a national recycling industry newsletter, which also featured an interview with our Public Works Director Dar Baas.

Our team is installing AMP’s AI-assisted sorting technology at the Waste-to-Energy Facility to identify and remove recyclable materials, initially focusing on cardboard and plastics, before they reach the combustion process.

With the County’s recycling rate remaining around 10% and an estimated 75% of recyclable materials still ending up in the trash, the technology will provide another opportunity to recover valuable materials and reduce waste. To read the full article, visit here.

A new tool to help address Michigan’s deer population is coming to Kent County. Deer Connection is an online platform designed to connect eligible large property owners with hunters, creating more opportunities for safe, legal and responsible deer management on private land. The pilot also helps connect hunters and landowners with organizations seeking donated venison.

Our pilot program supports recommendations from the Kent County Deer Management Coalition’s Grand Valley State University study and is supported by the Kent County Deer Management Coalition, Michigan Department of Natural Resources and National Deer Association. Learn more at deerconnections.com.

Two open houses will be held: 5 - 7 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 17, at the Kent County Road Commission North Complex in Cedar Springs, and 8 - 10 a.m. Friday, Sept. 18, at the South Complex in Grand Rapids. Learn more about the Deer Management Coalition here.

Our Health Department team offers free vision and hearing screenings to help identify potential concerns that could affect a child’s learning and development.

Screenings are available for children ages 3 through high school and are routinely provided in schools throughout Kent County. Individual screenings are also available by appointment for children who need one.

If a child is referred for additional evaluation following a hearing screening, they may be eligible to participate in a Health Department-supported otology clinic for further care.

Early identification of vision or hearing concerns can help connect children and families with the resources they need to support their health and success in the classroom and beyond.

To schedule an individual screening or learn more, visit here or call 616-632-7047.

Our Community Action team is looking for volunteers to help prepare meals for our Home Delivered Meals program, which provides nutritious meals to older adults in our community. Volunteers will help fill and seal meal trays that are then delivered to local older adults. No cooking experience is necessary - just a willingness to lend a hand and make a difference.

Volunteer opportunities are available Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 1 - 3 p.m. at our building located at 121 MLK Jr. St. SE in Grand Rapids. This is a simple way to give back while helping ensure older adults in our community have access to nutritious meals.

To register, you can visit our SignUpGenius page by clicking here, which lists all our events through the end of the year. We are also looking for help for our September 2^nd, 3^rd, and 11^th food packing days. Every hour you give brings us closer to ending hunger in our community.

Kent County, the City of Wyoming, and Ada Township are teaming up to offer a paid, 9- to 12-month Municipal Fellowship for a motivated student pursuing a bachelor’s or master’s degree in public administration, public policy or a related field.

As a fellow, they will rotate through all three organizations, spending approximately 3 - 4 months with each. You’ll work alongside local government professionals (minimum 10 hrs a week), contribute to meaningful projects, attend leadership and public meetings, and gain a firsthand look at how county, city and township governments serve their communities.

This is a great opportunity to build your skills, expand your professional network and explore a career in local government management.

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.

Current vacancies are posted online, and residents are encouraged to review and apply for those opportunities. 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. The application deadline is September 30. 

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

Looking for a fun way to spend a Friday evening while supporting a great community resource? Join Kent/MSU Extension staff and volunteers for the 2026 Shindig for the GIG from 5:30 - 8 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 18, at the Grand Ideas Garden at 775 Ball Ave. NE in Grand Rapids.

Kent County’s partnership with MSU Extension helps bring valuable educational programs, resources and community connections to residents throughout the county - including the Grand Ideas Garden (GIG). This annual fundraiser will feature live music, food, a mocktail and a silent auction with plants, gifts, merchandise and services. 

Tickets are $10 per person, and pre-registration is required by Sept. 15. The event will take place rain or shine. Proceeds help support the garden and its programs for the coming year.

Members of our Board of Commissioners recently toured AYA Youth Collective in Grand Rapids to learn more about its work supporting young people experiencing housing instability and homelessness.

Kent County has supported AYA’s efforts through grants to expand its Comprehensive Health Initiative, an investment that is producing measurable results, including expanded facilities and staff, health fairs reaching more than 3,000 young people and support for hundreds of youth. AYA has also seen a significant decline in the average time young people experience homelessness.

Thank you to the AYA team for welcoming our commissioners and for the important work you do every day for young people in our community.

While guests see the John Ball Zoo’s animals enjoying their meals, there’s a dedicated team working behind the scenes to make sure every animal gets exactly what it needs. On a typical day, their commissary team prepares diets for nearly 100 animals, working closely with veterinary and animal care staff, nutrition experts, and AZA recommendations to create species-specific diets. From fresh produce and hay to specialized foods and even medications hidden in jelly, every meal is thoughtfully prepared to meet the individual needs of each animal. Even Boo Boo the bear has her favorites; blueberries are a special treat!

The commissary team also plays an important role in enrichment, selecting food items that encourage natural behaviors and provide mental stimulation. With about $1,200 worth of produce moving through the commissary each week, food safety and quality are top priorities. As longtime volunteer Karen puts it, “If I won’t eat it, I won’t give it to them.” From Boo Boo’s blueberries to specialized diets and enrichment treats, there is an incredible amount of thought and care behind every meal served at John Ball Zoo.

Kent County offices and Health Department clinics will be closed on Monday, September 7, in observance of Labor Day. We will reopen and resume regular business hours on Tuesday, September 8.

If you’re planning to visit a County office, clinic, or need assistance with County services, please plan accordingly. We appreciate your understanding as our employees take time to observe the holiday.

For more information about County services, visit www.kentcountymi.gov.