[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-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],{"_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",6461109,"mediaKeyId","5825849-15391b8fe3b55a376499d5943fe4f702","parentId",5825849,"title","Commissioners approve one-year medical examiner contract with Michigan State University and appoint deputy medical examiner","audioSeconds",287,"startMs",2490000,"endMs",2777000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5825849-15391b8fe3b55a376499d5943fe4f702&start=2490&end=2777","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5825849-15391b8fe3b55a376499d5943fe4f702/thumbnail_2490000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6461109/Kent-County/Michigan/Commissioners-approve-one-year-medical-examiner-contract-with-Michigan-State-University-and-appoint-deputy-medical-examiner","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6461109-0ac71776cdaea894d96fa13fbba37597/orig.mp4?Expires=1771138104&Signature=nPQsqtfRHStU5W0SmRHIAHuah9Ch7q~ix10kKeTBAOakieoyasUUHseEXzWssozOH1r67qfq4wMg8s-DK3K~T0QyvgfUCCBImW5HWi8zdr1zQ5pvEoJW1oxsftkmwWsfII9n2qvRJmfJkgl7LSgTO58WpsDD7WavsEf8VDYWG~PPd16jc3Z-RpgCzzsr3~EcbyHzo4tEMrzaajeSttWEK2KZpOXZ0uq1T1LCyZ-XvaZ1IBuw82xI6Yks6T3AquXH0Z1fc27~34ZU7851-0rYOt3X3Bd5EIGrF5xrvt9Hww0ceLcGXKPAmG9PZlmkdblL6cQLBhYZGWnhnySSROc3AQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Kent County","date","2025-09-25T14:07:05.1Z","article","The Kent County Board of Commissioners voted unanimously to adopt a one-year contract with Michigan State University for medical examiner services and to appoint a deputy medical examiner at a regular meeting.

Commissioner Al Hennessy moved adoption of Resolution 78, the contract for medical examiner services, and noted the county received notice from the previous provider (MPS) that it would not continue the contract. Hennessy identified Michigan State University as the county\u001as new partner and thanked MSU officials and county staff for negotiating the agreement. He described the proposed county contract as similar to the prior MPS contract and said the board would revisit the arrangement after one year to address any operational issues.

Hennessy said Dr. Stephen Cole has signed on with Michigan State University and that Dr. David Start has retired; Hennessy said Dr. Joyce DeJonge agreed to step into the deputy medical examiner role and that MSU would perform autopsy services for the county. Hennessy described the MSU partnership as a \"game changer\" that will provide closer ties to the medical school and students, and he recommended the board approve the contract.

Commissioner Stack said the partnership is a strong opportunity but raised the need for a robust conflict-of-interest policy in the agreement because the university relationship could increase potential conflicts. Other commissioners thanked MSU for stepping forward.

The resolution for the contract passed in a roll-call vote recorded as 21 yeas, 0 nays. Later in the meeting Commissioner Hennessy moved Resolution 82 to appoint Dr. DeJonge as deputy medical examiner; the appointment carried by voice vote.

County staff and MSU representatives were present to answer commissioner questions during the discussion.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Kent County Board of Commissioners Meeting 09/25/25","oneSentenceSummary","The Kent County Board of Commissioners unanimously approved a one-year contract with Michigan State University for medical examiner services after MPS terminated its longstanding contract; the board also adopted a resolution appointing Dr. Joyce DeJonge as deputy medical examiner.","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},6461114,"Flat River Outreach Ministries proposes 17-unit housing expansion; Kent County opens and closes Brownfield public hearing",59,2078000,2137000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5825849-15391b8fe3b55a376499d5943fe4f702&start=2078&end=2137","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5825849-15391b8fe3b55a376499d5943fe4f702/thumbnail_2078000.jpg","/articles/6461114/Kent-County/Michigan/Flat-River-Outreach-Ministries-proposes-17-unit-housing-expansion-Kent-County-opens-and-closes-Brownfield-public-hearing","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6461114-9172b47218b3e1a7ddfb3f7e4346ac59/orig.mp4?Expires=1771138104&Signature=SO7trWYifDtk7XEqUkmPtKy5JkN~ql5JD-UNQ0RJG1HLOKRSbnaVL2HfFAXxQO9eA127SVU8SyOxWntF2F7p49fprAscGRXQJle-HwABgUZcXC-XVJiFiDI4qS9t0JYD1YGtpERyfXkbEsBNS-0SPJCYWA3QRNQcLAFjdM2GEpYMsZGa8jQJpqjO2wsagbS8D7W~iFpS3jp1ilkpprRq2hUQXw08hD~VfTtI-ESwe9ueZClXDSM1sKOKuUktXC8wXqrh-fWyQXcEtMGKIkRQ4fvCxdc1E-ZZxj1ukszTTA3KFQc5oTI6CZZ5MzrQew6GeZ28fdmG6nKiV0~P3YacQg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Kent County Board of Commissioners opened a public hearing on a Brownfield Redevelopment Plan for a housing project proposed by Flat River Outreach Ministries and heard from Wendy Price, the ministry\u001as executive director.

Price described Flat River Outreach Ministries as a 27-year-old local developer and operator of housing services in Lowell. She said the project would expand the ministry\u001as existing housing from a 10-unit building of efficiency and one-bedroom units to add 17 new units that can serve families of up to four people.

The board opened the hearing after a motion by Commissioner Hildebrand, supported by Commissioner LeGrand; a voice vote carried to open the hearing. Price spoke in favor of the project and outlined the housing need in Lowell and Kent County generally.

After testimony there were no other public comments and the hearing was closed on a motion by Commissioner Hildebrand, supported by Commissioner Oliver King; a voice vote carried to close the hearing.

The hearing was a procedural step to allow the board and the Brownfield Redevelopment Authority to gather public comment on the plan prior to any later board action.","Flat River Outreach Ministries presented a Brownfield Redevelopment Plan to the Kent County Board of Commissioners proposing 17 new housing units to expand from existing efficiency units to family units that can serve households of up to four people; the board opened and then closed the public hearing with unanimous voice votes.",{"_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},6461119,"60th/3rd District Court reports steady caseload growth, MyFile rollout and plans for expanded specialty courts",466,1106000,1572000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5825849-15391b8fe3b55a376499d5943fe4f702&start=1106&end=1572","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5825849-15391b8fe3b55a376499d5943fe4f702/thumbnail_1106000.jpg","/articles/6461119/Kent-County/Michigan/60th3rd-District-Court-reports-steady-caseload-growth-MyFile-rollout-and-plans-for-expanded-specialty-courts","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6461119-f146ca8c66a9a78befbcbffd48ec4a3c/orig.mp4?Expires=1771138104&Signature=jQ5xwiebLt6XbtKPVl19-ft93QFlP0jvWFqvyY1UkMn2hWEAxGC-4E2qtukY5pjkbPU3~pKftLA4mzYiya5-gbPap-Zz5HnBpGnb~f7-lMwT9RuxtvopXjjp957Q33geXcBh-EqNbBTUWzNttIhfVB94gLoXv-W8b7KFfPbMqBoXEipx3MKNdaC~cnZWTLGHXOhoHUmYZNbAtMN0dbjx-94m9~3ZXDAhrhioWgK8zRZz3DHfohMh3BkviraFlNLjSaFXdqOrXsKQZh2Zks-SnnluHZSYlkqoZeArvCxww1F-SH2e-YcojLnfqZ3faA-CS0ccDVPXc3HzbHNyxpbXdg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","At a Kent County Board of Commissioners meeting, Danielle Castillo, court administrator for the 60th/3rd District Court, reported rapid caseload growth at the court, progress implementing the state\u001aMyFile electronic filing system and plans to seek funding to sustain and expand specialty court programs.

Castillo said the court has taken in about 8,000 new cases over five years, a roughly 47% increase in filings tied to population and development in the court\u001as jurisdiction. She told commissioners the court saw nearly 1,500 additional civil filings between 2023 and 2024, more than 400 new misdemeanor cases and about 550 more civil infractions in the same span.

The court rolled out the state\u001as MyFile e-filing system on June 12 and, according to Castillo and deputy court administrator Tricia Finney, staff have processed about 25,000 documents and opened roughly 2,500 new cases through the system. Castillo said the change has helped a small civil filings team catch up from backlogs and reduced the manual paperwork burden.

Castillo described staffing and operations: the court has 17 court clerks and three judicial clerks in case management; five full-time probation officers and two probation clerks run the probation department and related programs; the court\u001as bench includes Chief Judge Jeffrey O'Hara, Judge Kirsten Holtz (appointed February 2024) and Judge Daniel O'Hara (recently elected and beginning his term in January). Alex Grimes is the court\u001as full-time attorney-magistrate, Jacqueline DeHaan is chief probation officer and Cara DL is case management supervisor.

The court\u001as recovery court (an OWI-related problem-solving court) is at capacity with 30 active participants, Castillo said, and the court is concluding a seated grant that funded recovery court operations. She said the court will seek other funding sources to continue and possibly expand recovery court services, and judges have expressed interest in creating a separate mental-health specialty court. Castillo said best practice guidance sets a recovery court capacity at about 30 participants, which is why expansion would likely require additional funding and staff.

Commissioners asked questions after the presentation. Commissioner Ponstein asked whether other district courts in the county fund themselves and whether courts collaborate; Castillo said the county-funded 60th/3rd is unique in Kent County but that court administrators meet regularly to coordinate services. Commissioner Stack praised the MyFile rollout and asked that conflict-of-interest language be considered in future agreements when the court pursues partnerships; Commissioner Pacla asked about priorities on the court\u001as horizon, and Castillo repeated plans to seek funding to sustain recovery court and pursue a mental-health court. Commissioner LeGrand and others voiced support for problem-solving courts as a way to reduce recidivism.

The presentation included a public-satisfaction survey summary that rated the court highly and a staff-focused overview of case management operations and technology upgrades.

Castillo and Finney stayed after the presentation to take individual commissioner questions and offered to return with further details on funding options for specialty courts.","Court administrator Danielle Castillo told the Kent County Board of Commissioners the 60th/3rd District Court has seen roughly 8,000 new cases over five years, implemented the state MyFile electronic filing system on June 12 and is seeking funding to continue and expand its recovery court and pursue a mental-health specialty court.",{"_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},6461104,"Votes at a glance: Kent County Board adopts consent agenda, several resolutions and enters closed session",369,2403000,2772000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5825849-15391b8fe3b55a376499d5943fe4f702&start=2403&end=2772","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5825849-15391b8fe3b55a376499d5943fe4f702/thumbnail_2403000.jpg","/articles/6461104/Kent-County/Michigan/Votes-at-a-glance-Kent-County-Board-adopts-consent-agenda-several-resolutions-and-enters-closed-session","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6461104-844cde78db0253d347cfbb45dfb6a94f/orig.mp4?Expires=1771138104&Signature=mEKcnzzx6kWsy29EyWoSPv-84sT8W8QXE1LxQzELcIoXX8c2V2k5TFbcJm~LYZVijgn8hRUIgTuZWDBnWvpwM8uPUKXKKqKOb1E9jO6vkfdaKkl2lVWYgDgzcX5Sp6hDSmVv5Vs9geFgOxu~b4w8VbXrlQNEahvWnPPn3v0Yd-WmSWLt4eyFaWRjaBFrnYqauOyl89duCP0g3UL4JKw03i~L8G86T8CxBFMhbMdmVD~KgSFJ-FbuuKETb9GIoWnuqjDZL2S1Z5Doillt1eV9SMC9jUX8tY0W4x7HC9hj3e22d98ky9qshFGa25kbByiLDIymgbqDmZwidcx70~FHPQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Kent County Board of Commissioners voted on multiple agenda items during the meeting. Below are each action, the mover/second when recorded and the outcome as reflected in the meeting record.

- Consent agenda: Moved by Commissioner Womack, supported by Commissioner Hildebrand. Roll-call vote recorded as 21 yays, 0 nays. Outcome: adopted.

- Resolution 77 (acquisition of property for public safety communications purposes): Moved by Commissioner Ponstein; supported by Vice Chair Burrell. Voice vote carried. Outcome: adopted.

- Resolution 78 (contract for medical examiner services): Moved by Commissioner Hennessy; supported (Halstead recorded among supporters). Roll-call vote recorded as 21 yays, 0 nays. Outcome: adopted. (See separate article for details on the MSU partnership and deputy appointment.)

- Resolution 79 (acquisition of property for the Kent Trails Corridor purposes): Moved by Commissioner Faber; supported by Commissioner Pacla. Voice vote carried. Outcome: adopted.

- Resolution 80 (purchase of development rights 2025 application scores and ranking): Moved by Commissioner Morse; supported by Commissioner Hildebrand. Voice vote carried. Outcome: adopted.

- Resolution 81 (adoption of a combined code of ethics and conflict of interest policy): Moved by Commissioner DeBoer; supported by Commissioner Womack. Voice vote carried. Outcome: adopted.

- Resolution 82 (appointment of deputy medical examiner, Dr. Joyce DeJonge): Moved by Commissioner Hennessy; supported by Commissioner Pacla. Voice vote carried. Outcome: adopted.

- Brownfield public hearing motions (Flat River Outreach Ministries): Motion to open hearing moved by Commissioner Hildebrand, supported by Commissioner LeGrand; voice vote carried. Motion to close hearing moved by Commissioner Hildebrand, supported by Commissioner Oliver King; voice vote carried. Outcome: hearing opened and closed; no board action on plan at hearing.

- Motion to enter closed session (Open Meetings Act MCL 15.268(1)(d)) to consider purchase of real property: Moved by Vice Chair Burrell; supported by Commissioner Coleman. Roll-call vote recorded as 21 yeas, 0 nays. Outcome: board entered closed session.

Where recorded, roll-call tallies and voice-vote outcomes are reflected above. No listed resolution failed. Several items were procedural or involved staff reports and did not require additional board action beyond adoption.","The board approved the consent agenda, several property- and policy-related resolutions, a medical examiner services contract with Michigan State University and appointed a deputy medical examiner; the board also entered a closed session to consider a property purchase. Most measures passed unanimously or by voice vote.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Commissioners approve one-year medical examiner contract with Michigan State University and appoint deputy medical examiner

Flat River Outreach Ministries proposes 17-unit housing expansion; Kent County opens and closes Brownfield public hearing

60th/3rd District Court reports steady caseload growth, MyFile rollout and plans for expanded specialty courts

Votes at a glance: Kent County Board adopts consent agenda, several resolutions and enters closed session