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Fiscal committee approves routine grants, contracts and payroll report; comptroller flags charter deviation
Summary
The fiscal committee approved grant reimbursements, contract authorizations and staffing training for the police department, and received the comptroller’s warrant report, which included a comptroller statement that funds had been issued not in accordance with the city charter.
The Grand Rapids fiscal committee on March 25 approved a set of routine resolutions that included grant reimbursements, contracts for community services and authorization for police recruit training, and received a comptroller’s warrant report covering city payments.
Among the approved items, the commission: - Adopted a resolution recognizing Sacred Beginnings as a local civic organization to allow fundraising and lottery events. - Authorized Grand Rapids Police Department recruit class 25-02 to attend the Grand Valley State University police academy at a cost not to exceed $96,200. - Approved a three-year subaward agreement with Grand Rapids Community College for regional expansion of the West Michigan Water Career Program, reimbursing costs up to $298,671. - Authorized a $125,000 contract with Cure Violence Global to provide training and technical assistance for the Cure Violence model, with the Grand Rapids Urban League as the local implementer. - Approved a $60,000 agreement with Baxter Community Center for summer day camp services at Joe Taylor Park. - Approved a PEG grant reimbursement of $17,471.63 to Grand Rapids Public Schools. - Authorized payment of $166,311.66 from the service-charge option to the Grand Rapids Affordable Housing Fund administered by the Grand Rapids Community Foundation.
The committee also received the comptroller’s warrant report for Feb. 25–March 10, 2025, reporting payments totaling $33,682,297.98. Comptroller Mr. Confort noted that payments had been released that were “not issued for payment by individual and the city comptroller” and cautioned that not following the city charter risks undermining public trust.
The committee received the city treasurer’s report on the city’s investment portfolio, which the treasurer described as “incredibly conservative,” with the portfolio at approximately $721,000,000 earning a purchase yield of 3.22 percent.
Votes at a glance (selected items) - GVSU police academy authorization — outcome: approved; vote: unanimous (voice aye) - GRCC West Michigan Water Career Program subaward — outcome: approved; vote: unanimous (voice aye) - Contract with Cure Violence Global ($125,000) — outcome: approved; vote: unanimous (voice aye) - Baxter Community Center day camp contract ($60,000) — outcome: approved; vote: unanimous (voice aye) - PEG grant reimbursement to Grand Rapids Public Schools ($17,471.63) — outcome: approved; vote: unanimous (voice aye) - Payment to Grand Rapids Community Foundation for Affordable Housing Fund ($166,311.66) — outcome: approved; vote: unanimous (voice aye)
Ending: Committee members expressed general support for the items and acknowledged the comptroller’s warning about adherence to charter procedures.
