[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6214003,"mediaKeyId","3671798-560674b4d3df30ea1a62b42720d75eb6","parentId",3671798,"title","Finance committee forwards Dean Lake $2.9 million special-assessment bond to full board","audioSeconds",5159,"startMs",337000,"endMs",5496000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3671798-560674b4d3df30ea1a62b42720d75eb6&start=337&end=5496","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3671798-560674b4d3df30ea1a62b42720d75eb6/thumbnail_337000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6214003/Kent-County/Michigan/Finance-committee-forwards-Dean-Lake-29-million-special-assessment-bond-to-full-board","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6214003-59251dd0f9f595459e434fe904e9bac5/orig.mp4?Expires=1772967015&Signature=gE5~H6KSmK-vaQWFgfgSDZjfPGSneDbAvhSGmA~FWRoNILMF5sJ1XsIk03lB-KjbFQC8Rzshyy4eeac1juE-BF1MrowyfI6H8NqpM5tE9Yz3cGIsuBJf~4U-CBemm7BvEMVq2T~yHZD-9KKTakfZnMxVi2DxajnAdIr2~tjcs1dPCKSSc28VCGUiaF8JlJaeGnmiLH8uAMozJvl~EGeY8y23e7F6sxsSJLSXODZHic~PKpVOVsGHK8AiJEvQwEqa0xiGA92d8mJo3WWexVWAP2uYl7nXOV84wvnyHO8cfn8~h31jAPhvWY1M3-6Ei3aGtskGw-0zAkIVLGyGpIciZw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Kent County MI ","date","2025-06-03T00:00:00Z","article","The Kent County Board of Commissioners Finance Committee voted to forward to the full Board a recommendation to approve the Dean Lake Lake Level Special Assessment District roll and authorize the issuance of Dean Lake Lake Level Special Assessment District Bond Series 2025 in a principal amount not to exceed $2,915,588.32.

The recommendation matters to about 134 assessed parcels in the district: the Drain Commissioner’s computation of costs for the improvements is $2,915,588.32, a figure that residents and commissioners noted has risen sharply from earlier estimates. The Drain Commissioner and staff said the bond would be repaid from special assessments on benefited properties, with a proposed 20-year repayment term and an estimated annual payment in the neighborhood of $1,000 before interest for some parcels.

Property owners voiced concern at public comment that the project cost had “skyrocketed” from an earlier, preliminary estimate of roughly $1.1 million to the current $2.9 million computation. Brian Walters, president of the Dean Lake Association, told the committee, “the math isn't mathing,” and asked for a deeper analysis of why the project cost increased and whether alternatives exist. Other residents said they support a lake outlet to prevent repeated flooding but want more explanation of scope changes and financing.

At the committee meeting the Drain Commissioner outlined the statutory process governing established lake levels under Part 307 of the Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act and explained that the county board is ultimately responsible for approving project costs, the assessment rule and any financing. Drain district counsel Stacy Hissen (Fahey Schultz Bersick Rhodes) summarized the role of the county, the delegated authority and the circuit court; she noted the court previously established the normal lake level by order dated Oct. 27, 2022.

Kevin Grutters, project manager for the consulting engineer, said scope changes and construction details—most notably deciding some sections of outlet pipe must be installed under road pavement rather than in roadside sod—added significant cost because roads would need replacement and buried utilities could be impacted. Grutters also cited inflation in pump‑station and municipal construction costs and said, “we've seen ... 15 to 20% a year” on similar projects, which, compounded over several years, materially increased the project estimate. Staff and bond counsel explained contractors’ bid holds and permitting timelines also constrain how long the county can delay awarding a contract without risking higher prices.

Committee members asked for and staff agreed to provide property owners a more detailed cost breakdown and the invoice/bid documentation on request or by a consolidated briefing through the Dean Lake Association. Staff explained property owners may prepay assessments to avoid interest that will accrue once bonds are sold; they also noted property owners who participated in last week’s hearing retain appeal rights to contest their assessment amount in circuit court.

After discussion, Vice Chair McLeod moved and Commissioner Oliver King supported forwarding the recommended special assessment roll and bond authorization to the Board of Commissioners for final action; the committee voice vote carried. The Board is scheduled to consider the measure at its next meeting. If the Board approves the roll and special assessment, affected property owners who appeared at the assessment hearing or filed written objections may pursue appeals under the statute.

If the board proceeds, next steps described by staff include: posting the official notices required by statute, offering the prepayment window, concluding any bond sale and closing within the contractors’ 90‑day bid holds so construction can begin this fall. The Drain Commissioner and engineer said the project timing is tied both to permitting and to road‑work schedules in the neighborhood; staff warned that delaying another full season could increase costs further and might jeopardize permit outcomes.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Kent County Board of Commissioners - Finance Committee Meeting 06/03/25","oneSentenceSummary","The Kent County Board of Commissioners Finance Committee voted to forward to the full Board a recommendation to approve the Dean Lake Lake Level Special Assessment District roll and authorize the issuance of bonds not to exceed $2,915,588.32.","taxTitle","Kent County, Michigan","taxId",2830,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6213983,"Resident praises county support for youth esports league and requests continued investment",201,895000,1096000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3671798-560674b4d3df30ea1a62b42720d75eb6&start=895&end=1096","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3671798-560674b4d3df30ea1a62b42720d75eb6/thumbnail_895000.jpg","/articles/6213983/Kent-County/Michigan/Resident-praises-county-support-for-youth-esports-league-and-requests-continued-investment","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6213983-7438912494fd610ebaf802f14ca006a4/orig.mp4?Expires=1772967015&Signature=ZOAqLxY3QsBDwOSozHh0TKKh4KRihohu-zsidlImsRo2UGbUM8HNvnA213xIAvAw4UQG-ADZPZHwLM1M0e3zf9LitwGUvw~pRHQvGwmcRIY2lwY5y44~r0gEdz6ESCvC1t~dwY6p3bS5nKuZFIQrv8fNBX4PhjkAC4ZtKav5Ga9FN9-meTMLrZRwXilMGXdoamJaAXGlBViRaCT3GRQ2Qa8BiN8Sv5-5UoF8qoynWWpXn~~2~v6qIQYT1lkU8zfmUYg-1RWU51ZuqkE03e4Wom1MzFVikuoWx0XzDlPc583KBZsfDjvvSvmH3pZk9k5C60THrFiBzQjL~Ddnmo6oXw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","During public comment, Dee Jones described the Youth Justice Influence Esports League he established and thanked county staff and commissioners for recent support that helped sustain the program.

Jones said he has run the league for more than a year, has taken youths to Grand Rapids Gold games and to the Detroit Lions facility, and will restart the league next week. He said the county purchased video games and is contributing equipment: Jones said an outside funder offered $10,000 to the county and the county will use $3,000 of that to buy televisions and PlayStation 5 consoles for the program. Jones also told the committee he had advocated for repairs to the juvenile services center basement to create an esports lab and thanked staff and officials for that work.

Jones framed the program as a youth‑engagement and violence‑prevention initiative and described planned partnerships and training opportunities tied to colleges and industry. His comments were delivered as public comment; no county action on the subject was before the committee at this meeting.","A resident and program developer told the Finance Committee that the county has supported an Esports league for youth; he thanked the county for funding equipment and urged continued investment in youth services.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6213988,"Finance committee recommends $753,001 in annual operations funding for Kent County Community Action",184,1729000,1913000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3671798-560674b4d3df30ea1a62b42720d75eb6&start=1729&end=1913","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3671798-560674b4d3df30ea1a62b42720d75eb6/thumbnail_1729000.jpg","/articles/6213988/Kent-County/Michigan/Finance-committee-recommends-753001-in-annual-operations-funding-for-Kent-County-Community-Action","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6213988-00ab49386eecd351c22e0f7758596b48/orig.mp4?Expires=1772967015&Signature=IyrO7zHJJfiYaQtcopfNPs4omMZaL5h4shEfIdlvy31qgLmA5Jb3GaAL5e9tEPq5tHmiXvrLkC~wqgnIHDRuhBiGW-dSFUBWcv6ktsj7xJ6Vl7P-x14GSrKDMPtYkZzdImc05604K8GeuV1Sk~nU6obsYTDBcIq08FJPna9H5WuIFabZ9CCl9ZfeKsfPoMDwg6Ho~1LWQItx3y47hhEtrXk-N1DhnFmo6x~9k6uemMiuy7j23iNAigYF8fhHBYm5bbs4Q8IS9WWSCAlnQYjjUZH0ZIqLshiJdKjbB4vzhHOrHBuROvVEdqPkdtLyYkZ6Yo-Db8qEU4~RR0QH~9i4SA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Finance Committee recommended that the Board accept and appropriate $753,001 in annual operations funding for Kent County Community Action (KCAA), covering two funding streams: a $130,000 Municipal Partnership allocation from the City of Grand Rapids (CGRS) for administrative and supportive expenses and $623,001 from the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services under the U.S. Department of Energy Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP).

Staff said the WAP allocation represents KCAA’s 52nd consecutive year of participation in the program and that KCAA expects to complete 53 dwellings with the WAP funds during the 07/01/2025–06/30/2026 program year. Funds cover administration, supportive services, technical training, labor and materials, and health and safety measures installed in beneficiary dwellings. Agreements will be reviewed by assistant corporate counsel for form prior to execution.

Vice Chair McLeod moved and Commissioner Steck supported forwarding the appropriation to the Board; the committee approved by voice vote.","The committee recommended the Board accept and appropriate $753,001 to Kent County Community Action: $130,000 for City of Grand Rapids CGRS annual operating funding and $623,001 for the Department of Energy Weatherization Assistance Program; KCAA expects to complete 53 units.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6213993,"Finance committee recommends approval of Kent County 2025–26 CDBG and HOME Annual Action Plan totaling $2.59 million",246,1584000,1830000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3671798-560674b4d3df30ea1a62b42720d75eb6&start=1584&end=1830","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3671798-560674b4d3df30ea1a62b42720d75eb6/thumbnail_1584000.jpg","/articles/6213993/Kent-County/Michigan/Finance-committee-recommends-approval-of-Kent-County-202526-CDBG-and-HOME-Annual-Action-Plan-totaling-259-million","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6213993-6899a862f4bf5316433adad4a0a2513d/orig.mp4?Expires=1772967015&Signature=Fm7~NswwlrTKJHiZLfEhlUCWjOZgf-naS76pmGwWw7B3VZUWx6p-~sVzZDioG29S8jWhPXqsf7tR7mlGZWqTalzgKZOzX6PfrteAIGCEeQqaC90ct6-1To6UWsZoZk03mgqRmPN8XH7YCmxDlqvaWMZsAUp-LVwsA6x66mDVTtuTcb8dhIXT2dpeWvZT~B4edgHol~pUq~qiDNtJ5R24t3M0C7dt37IyZ-qw6fU~~t-9boiPsXTPVk9uBRCSq4fHpzt4sBJtl3Pq4KuRgTUpHJwCegwKQQf~ZKCRZw8vJoUTp4MB-~VfQSaDvuYy9U1XPjxpILf9B2MkHdIUA3W7qw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Kent County Finance Committee recommended that the Board of Commissioners approve the Community Development Annual Action Plan (AAP) for the 2025–26 program year and accept and appropriate $2,587,654.02 in anticipated U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) funding.

The AAP is the annual grant application and budget document tied to the county’s five‑year consolidated plan (07/01/2021–06/30/2026). The packet lists anticipated federal funding totals of $1,673,365 for Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) activities and $884,289.02 for HOME Investment Partnerships Program activities, plus estimated program income of $25,000 (CDBG housing rehabilitation) and $5,000 (HOME program income).

Staff said the plan includes a needs assessment, market analysis and proposed projects from local units of government that the county manages as an urban entitlement. Assistant corporate counsel will review grant agreements for form before signature.

Vice Chair McLeod moved and Commissioner Oliver King supported recommending Board approval; the committee approved by voice vote. The AAP covers the period 07/01/2025 through 06/30/2026 and must accompany HUD grant documents to receive entitlement funding for the county’s 44th year as an urban county entitlement.","The committee recommended the Board approve the Kent County Community Development Annual Action Plan for 07/01/2025–06/30/2026 and accept and appropriate $2,587,654.02 in anticipated HUD CDBG and HOME funds; the plan is part of the county's five‑year consolidated plan and serves as the formal HUD grant application.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6213998,"County health department to accept $245,337 Michigan State Police SCIP grant to fund intensive mentoring program",533,1121000,1654000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3671798-560674b4d3df30ea1a62b42720d75eb6&start=1121&end=1654","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3671798-560674b4d3df30ea1a62b42720d75eb6/thumbnail_1121000.jpg","/articles/6213998/Kent-County/Michigan/County-health-department-to-accept-245337-Michigan-State-Police-SCIP-grant-to-fund-intensive-mentoring-program","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6213998-ae0a99dd8dd75d5dd558ea7215f592c4/orig.mp4?Expires=1772967015&Signature=arN46UPqmHHr9E~oU8~t~B6G6arCKHHgzD6MqH1XfTclWo54bBJVxdwE1QL3BndTemfgrzLrVGXEeTiDomVJjJBhw4uSyI0EBjKFr172qPiYr0dk~smIWWH7pf39930aQH9OYSiz1sSmwArBrBgFwing-iyAvRBL067x4Y6vZH1Fc2ZirzIacjr3RQnEGX9KJDB109NVTPO~hb7fWk4yV2svPwNIiirUmleSdS5rgYne9IMatIAsYRxWniY6XlApPTkHoDwaood600cF9rLoMrv9yjDitpSiXf-nZ4ZJOfyKdxDVfD2RT~f457bJcdIhSxm0V57gl6ahg9uJnBgQcQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Kent County Health Department received a two‑year grant of $245,337 from the Michigan State Police under the State Crisis Intervention Program (SCIP) and the Finance Committee recommended that the full Board accept and appropriate the award to the 2025 health fund budget.

The department selected Realism Is Loyalty as the community‑based partner to deliver the Each 1 Teach 1 intensive mentoring program. Health Department staff said the program blends intensive mentoring with mental‑health services and requires both youth and caregiver participation. Program elements described at the meeting include 6–9 hours per week of direct engagement with trained mentors, weekly group activities and at least two hours of one‑on‑one mentoring therapy with a mental‑health clinician over a 36‑week cohort.

Health Department staff told commissioners the grant is intended to support violence prevention and intervention with a focus on gun violence. Staff said the program anticipates serving up to 17 youth per year (and caregiver participation for those families), for an estimated total of about 34 youth over the two‑year grant period. Referrals to the program come through open referrals, schools and word‑of‑mouth; Realism Is Loyalty staff said mentors engage in schools and outreach in the Martin Luther King and Union Street area.

Commissioner Stack asked whether the county or the State Police selected the partner; Health Department staff said the county selected Realism Is Loyalty after reviewing community programs that met grant criteria. Commissioner Sparks spoke in support of the choice, noting the group’s track record working with local partners.

Commissioner Sparks moved and Commissioner Oliver King supported the motion to recommend acceptance and appropriation of the grant; the committee approved the recommendation by voice vote. Staff noted the grant period runs 05/01/2025 through 03/31/2027 and that corporate counsel will review the agreement prior to signature.","The Finance Committee recommended the Board accept a $245,337 two‑year SCIP grant from the Michigan State Police to contract with community‑based organization Realism Is Loyalty for an intensive mentoring program aimed at reducing gun‑related youth violence.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Finance committee forwards Dean Lake $2.9 million special-assessment bond to full board

Resident praises county support for youth esports league and requests continued investment

Finance committee recommends $753,001 in annual operations funding for Kent County Community Action

Finance committee recommends approval of Kent County 2025–26 CDBG and HOME Annual Action Plan totaling $2.59 million

County health department to accept $245,337 Michigan State Police SCIP grant to fund intensive mentoring program