Kent County, MI

Kent County Family and Children's Coordinating Council (KCFCC)

Board of Public Works

Board of Public Works

Board of Public Works

The Kent County Board of Public Works is meeting to discuss and decide on several operational items, including a revised timeline for the Materials Management Plan, a presentation on waste-to-energy equipment placement, and acceptance of a state recycling grant. The board will also hear a presentation from Purpose Energy and receive the director's report, which includes a food waste collection grant application and the July dashboard. The agenda includes consent items for minutes and monetary outlays, and a public comment period.

• Revised Materials Management Plan approval timeline
• AMP ONE equipment placement overview at waste-to-energy facility
• 2026 stack test results compared to new MACT standards
• EGLE FY2026 Recycling Infrastructure Grant (RCY-26-013) acceptance
• EGLE Food Waste Collection Grant application

Election Commission

Agricultural Preservation Board

The Kent County Agricultural Preservation Board is meeting to discuss property and staff updates, a gift of development rights policy, and 2026 preserved farmland road sign redesigns. The agenda is mostly discussion items with no votes or public hearings listed.

• Discussion of Gift of Development Rights Policy
• 2026 Preserved Farmland Road Sign Redesigns
• Property updates
• Staff updates

Fire Commission

The Kent County Fire Commission will vote on approving the Sand Lake/Nelson Township membership, the 2027 meeting schedule, and routine financial reports. The board will also discuss the potential purchase or rental of an attenuator trailer (a mobile crash cushion) to protect fire apparatus on highways, a topic tabled from the May meeting. The agenda includes several action items requiring board approval.

• Sand Lake/Nelson Township membership approval
• 2027 proposed meeting schedule (Jan 15, May 21, Aug 20, Oct 15)
• Attenuator trailer discussion: $800/month rent or $35,000 purchase
• Approval of financial reports and May 2026 minutes
• Activity report: $1,512,188.66 in invoices paid May–July 2026

Materials Management Planning Committee

The Kent County Materials Management Planning Committee will review and finalize edits to the draft Materials Management Plan, then vote on whether to approve it. If approved, the plan will move to the Board of Public Works and Board of Commissioners for further review and adoption. The meeting also includes approval of prior minutes and public comment.

• Vote to approve the draft Materials Management Plan
• Review and finalize edits to the plan
• Approval of July 16, 2026 meeting minutes
• Public comment period scheduled for September 1-30, 2026
• Plan to be reviewed by Board of Public Works on September 3, 2026

VEBA Trust Board

The Kent County VEBA Trust Board will review the quarterly performance report from Asset Consulting Group, noting the portfolio's market value of $75.3 million as of June 30, 2026. The board will take action to renew the fiduciary liability insurance and approve the minutes from the February 18, 2026 meeting. The agenda also includes receiving and filing the audit report for the period ending December 31, 2025, and local retirement reporting.

• Approval of minutes from the February 18, 2026 meeting
• Renewal of fiduciary liability insurance
• Review of quarterly performance report showing $75.3 million portfolio value
• Receipt of audit report and SAS letter for period ending 12/31/25

Department of Health and Human Services Board

The Kent County Department of Health & Human Services Board is meeting to approve minutes, hear public comment, receive director reports, and review proposals for the Kent County Unmet Needs Program (CUNP) in closed session. The board will then submit recommendations on the proposals to the County Board for action. The meeting is largely procedural, with the main substantive item being the CUNP review and recommendation submission.

• Approval of minutes from July 15th, 2026
• Public comment period
• Director's reports from James Geisen and Noelle Bair
• Closed session to review Kent County Unmet Needs Program (CUNP) proposals
• Submission of CUNP recommendations to the County Board

Kent County Community Action Governing Board

Kent County Veterans Services Advisory Committee

The Kent County Veterans Services Advisory Committee is meeting to approve July minutes, hear success stories and reports, and discuss new business including a Veterans Outreach Program, an MVAA grant, a WWII Veterans 100th Birthday card, and an SSR policy discussion about HOA/debt. The agenda is mostly routine administrative and informational items.

• Approval of July meeting minutes
• Veterans Outreach Program discussion
• MVAA grant discussion
• WWII Veterans 100th Birthday card
• SSR policy discussion about HOA/debt

County Building Authority

The Kent County Building Authority will review and approve invoices totaling $735,474.60 for the Fuller Administration Building project, plus two contracts: $5,100 for asbestos inspection services and $5,000 for geothermal incentive services. They will also receive updates on the Medical Examiner and Fuller Administration projects. The meeting includes public comment and approval of prior minutes.

• Approve $5,100 asbestos inspection proposal from Environmental Resources Group
• Approve $5,000 geothermal incentive services proposal from Catalyst Partners
• Approve Fuller Administration project invoices totaling $735,474.60
• Medical Examiner project update
• Fuller Administration Building project update

Board of Public Works

The Kent County Board of Public Works will discuss a consultant’s strategic review of long-term governance options for the Department of Public Works’ solid waste system. The review evaluates four models—maintaining current operations, converting to a full county department, forming an independent public authority, or privatization—and highlights unresolved environmental liabilities, including PFAS contamination. No decisions will be made at this meeting.

• Raftelis strategic review of DPW governance models
• PFAS contamination identified as major long-term liability
• 3Degrees Group contract amendment for solid waste operations
• FY2026 year-to-date financial overview presented
• Food Waste Collection Program update

Board of Canvassers

The Board of Canvassers will meet to review and certify the returns from the August 4, 2026 election. The body will also certify ballot storage containers and approve previous meeting minutes.

• Certification of ballot storage containers
• Canvass of August 4, 2026 Election Returns
• Certification of final canvass documents

Agricultural Preservation Board

The Agricultural Preservation Board will discuss property and staff updates and identify preservation areas of focus. The board is also reviewing the PDR Signage Project and considering an appraisal request for the Robinson property.

• Appraisal request for Robinson property
• PDR Signage Project
• Identification of preservation areas of focus

Kent County Community Action Advisory Board

The Kent County Community Action Advisory Board will hold a routine meeting with action on approving prior minutes and informational updates. Staff will present a customer satisfaction survey summary, a director's report covering program and monitoring updates, and fiscal and programmatic reports. No votes on ordinances or contracts with dollar amounts are scheduled.

• Review and approval of May 21, 2026 meeting minutes
• Presentation of Customer Satisfaction Survey results (Org. Standard 1.3)
• Director's Report with staff updates, assistance activities, and monitoring updates for 2025-2026
• Fiscal Report (Org. Standard 8.7) presented by Financial Supervisor Carrie Irwin
• Programmatic Report (Org. Standard 5.9) presented by Chad Coffman, Rachel Kunnath, Sherrie Gillespie

Materials Management Planning Committee

The committee will approve the May 21 and June 18, 2026 meeting minutes, receive an update on the Materials Management siting process and outline next steps for 2026, and discuss enforcement and ordinance matters for the Fishbeck area. Public comments will be heard before adjournment.

• Approval of the 5.21.26 minutes
• Approval of the 6.18.26 minutes
• Siting Process Review Update
• Next steps for the 2026 Materials Management plan
• Fishbeck enforcement and ordinance discussion

The committee approved minutes from May and June, and reviewed the draft materials management plan with edits from Fishbeck, including changes to enforcement and administration language. The plan is expected to be voted on in August, with a timeline for public comment and board approvals. No final plan was approved at this meeting.

• Approved 5.21.26 minutes with minor change (unanimous)
• Approved 6.18.26 minutes with minor change (unanimous)
• Directed Fishbeck to add committee duties to Administration section
• Directed Fishbeck to create list of sources for recycling rate
• Set August 20th as vote day for draft plan
• Set public comment period September 1-30
• Set Board of Public Works vote for November 5
• Set Board of Commissioners vote for December 3

Department of Health and Human Services Board

The Kent County Department of Health & Human Services Board will consider two Community United Neighborhood Program (CUNP) funding presentations: one from Mel Trotter for intensive case management for homeless individuals, and one from Exalta Health to sustain core services, hire bilingual staff, and expand mobile health capabilities. The board will also approve the June 17th, 2026 minutes and receive director reports.

• Mel Trotter CUNP presentation: funding for intensive case management for homeless populations (employment readiness, fixed-income benefits, support seekers)
• Exalta Health CUNP presentation: funding for core services, bilingual staff, Community Health Workers, and mobile health expansion in high ER-usage neighborhoods
• Approval of June 17th, 2026 meeting minutes
• Director's reports from James Geisen and Noelle Bair
• BSC 3 Director Board Reviews

Kent County Veterans Services Advisory Committee

The Kent County Veterans Services Advisory Committee will hold a regular meeting with standard procedural items, including approval of minutes, reports, and a discussion about changing the committee's meeting time and day.

• Discussion of KCVSAC meeting time and day

The Kent County Veterans Services Advisory Committee approved the June minutes and decided to move its regular meetings one hour earlier, starting with the August 13 meeting at 1:00 p.m. The committee also heard staff reports on veteran success stories, community outreach events, and a monthly activity report showing over $5 million in retroactive and monthly benefits awarded to veterans. No other substantive decisions were made.

• Approved June minutes as written (all in favor, none opposed)
• Changed meeting time to 1:00 p.m. starting August 13, 2026 (2nd Thursday of month)

County Building Authority

The Kent County Building Authority will review and approve the Medical Examiner Project invoice of $17,753.75 and the Fuller Administration Building Project invoices totaling $55,773.13. The meeting also includes project updates for the Medical Examiner facility on Cedar Street and the Fuller Administration building, as well as a public comment period.

• Medical Examiner Project invoice – TowerPinkster INV 84306 – $17,753.75
• Fuller Administration Project invoice – Clark Construction – $51,918.27
• Fuller Administration Project invoice – Catalyst Partners – $2,654.86
• Fuller Administration Project invoice – Catalyst Partners – $1,200.00

The Authority approved a $609,134.74 change order for Erhardt Construction to cover additional asbestos abatement costs. Members also authorized Fishbeck to perform an environmental site assessment at 1401 Cedar Street. The meeting included updates on the Medical Examiner project and the Fuller Administration building.

• Approved May 13, 2026 minutes (Unanimous)
• Authorized Fishbeck to perform Environmental Site Assessment at 1401 Cedar Street (Carried)
• Approved Erhardt Construction Change Order No. 1 for $609,134.74 (Carried; 1 opposed)
• Approved Erhardt Construction Pay App. 4 for $266,427.98 (Unanimous)
• Approved Progressive Companies Invoice 209948 for $168,963.96 (Unanimous)

Community Health Advisory Committee

The Community Health Advisory Committee will meet to review the Health Officer's report and conduct two exercises. These include an 'Ideal Health Department Exercise' and a 'Parade of Convenings Exercise'.

• Health Officer’s Report by Dr. Adam London
• Ideal Health Department Exercise
• Parade of Convenings Exercise

Kent County Insurance Authority

The Kent County Insurance Authority will consider giving a 90-day notice to the Michigan Municipal Risk Management Authority (MMRMA) by the June 30 deadline, with a final decision on withdrawal scheduled for August. The board will also vote on hiring ACG as investment consultant and adopting an amended investment policy. Re-votes are planned on a Memorandum of Coverage and Rider 1 from a December 2025 meeting, as well as elections from January 2026, after procedural concerns were raised.

• Motion to approve ACG as investment consultant and adopt amended Investment Policy
• Discussion and suggested motion to provide MMRMA 90-day notice of withdrawal with final decision in August 2026
• Re-vote on Memorandum of Coverage and Rider 1 from December 3, 2025 meeting
• Re-vote on Elections from January 28, 2026 meeting
• Large loss update (Steven)

Kent County Community Action Governing Board

The board will vote to approve previous meeting minutes as the only action item. The majority of the meeting consists of information items including a director's report with staff and program updates, an audit report on organizational standards, financial reports, and programmatic reports. No major policy decisions or contracts are on the agenda.

• Approval of April 20, 2026 meeting minutes (action item)
• Audit report on Org Standard 8.3-8.4
• Financial reports on Org Standard 8.7
• Programmatic report on Org Standard 5.9
• Director's report with monitoring updates and potential conflicts of interest

Brownfield Redevelopment Authority

The Kent County Brownfield Redevelopment Authority will consider approving its FY27 budget. Staff also report on a presentation to the East Grand Rapids City Commission and are evaluating additional users and a module for the Neighborly software platform.

• Action: Approve the KCBRA FY27 Budget
• Staff presented to the East Grand Rapids City Commission on June 15
• Evaluating addition of users and an extra module to the Neighborly software contract

Materials Management Planning Committee

The Kent County Materials Management Planning Committee will discuss an update on Round Two funding reimbursements—one received ($16,925.19) and one pending ($20,797.39)—and review a proposed work program budget totaling $655,570. The committee will also continue goal planning for the Materials Management Plan, including targets to increase the county recycling rate from 16% to 25% by 2035 and organics diversion to 15% by 2035. Additionally, a presentation from the Department of Public Works education program is scheduled.

• Reimbursement Request 2 ($16,925.19) received June 8, 2026; Request 3 ($20,797.39) not yet received
• Proposed work program budget of $655,570, including personnel, contractual services, cart enclosures ($80,000), and education/travel costs
• Goal 1: Increase recycling rate from ~16% to 25% by 2035; Goal 2: Increase organics diversion to 15% of estimated organics waste stream by 2035
• Goal planning discussion also covers multifamily housing recycling, public space recycling, and business park materials processing
• DPW Education Program Presentation (no details provided in agenda)

The committee did not have a quorum, so the motion to approve the June 21 minutes was not passed and the minutes will be reviewed at the next meeting. The group received round‑two funding and heard a presentation on the Department of Public Works education programs. Goal planning for recycling, organics, multifamily, public health, and hazardous waste was discussed, but no formal actions were adopted.

• Quorum not reached; minutes to be reviewed at next meeting (motion passed)

Kent County Veterans Services Advisory Committee

The committee will review activity and outreach reports and discuss the Veterans Court. The agenda also includes a new business item regarding the Burial Fund.

• Discussion of Veterans Court
• Discussion of Burial Fund
• Review of Community Outreach and Monthly Activity reports

The committee approved increasing the Soldier and Sailors relief burial allowance and the marker reimbursement. Additionally, members voted to maintain current funding levels for the Veteran Treatment Court.

• Approved May meeting minutes
• Maintained Veteran Treatment Court funding at $100k
• Increased Soldier and Sailors relief burial allowance from $300 to $1,000
• Increased marker reimbursement from $80 to $200

Department of Health and Human Services Board

The board will approve minutes from May 20, hear a presentation on the Open Door Women's Center Emergency Shelter and Supportive Services, and receive updates on child welfare and from directors. A miscellaneous item covers CUNP budget allocations.

• Approval of minutes from May 20, 2026
• Presentation by James Geisen and Thelma Ensink on Open Door Women's Center Emergency Shelter and Supportive Services
• Child Welfare Update presented by Scott Orr with guests Rob Peck and Laura Turner Bush
• Director's reports from Noelle Bair and James Geisen
• Miscellaneous: CUNP Budget Allocations

The board unanimously approved reallocating unspent CUNP contract funds from Catholic Charities to the Community Food Club, contingent on their ability to use the funds to purchase food within fiscal year 2026. If the Food Club cannot use the funds, SECOM is the recommended secondary agency. The board also unanimously approved the minutes from the May 20 meeting and entered closed session to discuss the reallocation before voting in open session.

• Approved minutes of the May 20 board meeting unanimously.
• Approved reallocating unspent CUNP funds from Catholic Charities to the Community Food Club, contingent on their use for food purchases within fiscal year 2026.
• Designated SECOM as secondary agency if Community Food Club cannot utilize the funds.
• Requested expedited approval by the Kent County Board of Commissioners if required.
• Entered closed session under Open Meetings Act section 8h to discuss the reallocation.
• Adjourned meeting at 9:48 a.m.

Election Commission

The Kent County Election Commission will review recall petition language submissions for three Lowell Township officials: Supervisor Jerry Hale and Trustees Mark Anderson and William Thompson. The commission may approve or reject the petition language. The meeting also includes approval of prior minutes and public comment.

• Review recall petition language for Jerry Hale, Lowell Township Supervisor
• Review recall petition language for Mark Anderson, Lowell Township Trustee
• Review recall petition language for William Thompson, Lowell Township Trustee
• Approve minutes of June 2, 2026
• Public comment period

County Building Authority

The Kent County Building Authority will review and vote on a $609,134.74 change order for additional asbestos abatement at the 750 Fuller demolition project, and discuss transferring the courthouse title to Kent County. They will also hear updates on the Medical Examiner project and approve over $435,000 in invoices for the Fuller project.

• Approve Erhardt Construction Change Order No. 1 for $609,134.74 for additional asbestos abatement at 750 Fuller
• Discuss transfer of courthouse title from the Building Authority to Kent County
• Medical Examiner project update, including potential Cedar Street facility and budget of $20 million
• Approve Fuller Administration project invoices totaling $435,391.94
• Review and approve minutes from May 13, 2026

The Kent County Building Authority approved a $609,134.74 change order for Erhardt Construction for additional asbestos abatement at the Fuller Administration Building, increasing the project cost from $2.8M to $3,415,548.74. The board also authorized a Phase 1 Environmental Site Assessment at 1401 Cedar Street for up to $10,000 as part of the Medical Examiner project. The courthouse title transferred automatically to the County after the final bond payment on June 1.

• Approved Erhardt Construction Change Order No. 1 for $609,134.74 (motion carried, Conners opposed)
• Authorized Fishbeck to perform Phase 1 Environmental Site Assessment at 1401 Cedar Street, not to exceed $10,000
• Approved Fuller Administration project invoices: Erhardt Construction Pay App. 4 ($266,427.98) and Progressive Companies INV 209948 ($168,963.96) (unanimous)
• Approved minutes from May 13, 2026 (unanimous)

Revolving Loan Fund Committee

The Kent County Revolving Loan Fund Committee is meeting to review the current loan pipeline report and receive updates from IFF (a community development financial institution). The meeting also includes public comment and approval of previous minutes. No specific loan applications or funding decisions are listed on the agenda.

• Approval of March 10, 2026 meeting minutes
• Review of loan pipeline report
• Updates from IFF

Board of Public Works

The Board of Public Works holds a work session to receive a presentation from Raftelis Financial Consultants on a strategic review of the department. They will also consider approval of the minutes from the May 7, 2026 meeting. No other substantive decisions are on the agenda.

• DPW Strategic Review presentation by Raftelis Financial Consultants
• Approval of May 7, 2026 meeting minutes

The Board of Public Works heard a presentation from Raftelis Financial Consultants on a strategic review of Kent County's solid waste system. The study evaluates four governance options: maintaining current operations, making DPW a full county department, creating an independent authority, or selling the system. No decision was made; the consultants will finalize a technical memorandum and conduct further public engagement before any recommendations.

• Approved consent agenda including May 7, 2026 minutes (unanimous)
• Heard Raftelis presentation on solid waste governance options (no action taken)

Agricultural Preservation Board

The Agricultural Preservation Board will consider preliminary scoring for 2026 purchase-of-development-rights (PDR) applications, discuss PDR signage, and hear a presentation from the Kent Conservation District Executive Director. The board will also approve minutes from the previous meeting and receive a staff update.

• Consideration of preliminary scoring for 2026 PDR applications
• Discussion of PDR signage
• Presentation by Kent Conservation District Executive Director Erin Sloan-Turner
• Approval of minutes from May 6, 2026, meeting

The Kent County Agricultural Preservation Board approved the preliminary scoring and ranking of 2026 PDR applications, recommending the top two parcels be submitted for federal and state grant funding. The board also discussed new signage for preserved farms and received updates on an NRCS grant for 109 acres in Solon Township. No other substantive decisions were made.

• Approved 2026 PDR application ranking and recommended top two parcels for grant funding (unanimous, chair abstained)
• Directed staff to develop a plan for updated preserved farm signage and report back in July or August

Election Commission

The Kent County Election Commission will meet to approve minutes, candidate and proposal lists, precinct delegate lists from both major parties, and ballots for the upcoming August 4 election. The meeting includes a public comment period.

• Approve candidate and proposal list for August 4, 2026 election
• Approve Republican and Democratic Party precinct delegate lists
• Approve ballots for the August 4, 2026 election

The Kent County Election Commission approved the amended candidate and proposals list, the Democratic and Republican precinct delegate lists, and the ballots for the August 4, 2026 primary election. All motions passed unanimously. Ballot printing approval is contingent on the state Bureau of Elections' conditional approval of the ballot proofs and the June 5 state proposal deadline.

• Approved amended candidate & proposals list (unanimous)
• Approved Democratic and Republican precinct delegate candidate lists (unanimous)
• Approved ballots for printing, contingent on state conditional approval (unanimous)

Kent County Family and Children's Coordinating Council (KCFCC)

The Kent County Family and Children's Coordinating Council will vote on proposed updates to its bylaws at this meeting. Members will also hear a presentation on the Invest in Families initiative and receive updates from the Childcare Taskforce, the Community Health Needs Assessment & Opioid Taskforce, and Time Limited Food Assistance.

• Vote on proposed updates to KCFCC bylaws
• Invest in Families presentation by Dr. Anissa Eddie
• Childcare Taskforce updates
• Community Health Needs Assessment & Opioid Taskforce update
• Time Limited Food Assistance update