Commission approves two refunding bond ordinances, a multi‑item budget amendment and a workers’‑comp settlement

The Grand Rapids City Commission took several formal actions Oct. 21, approving two separate bond ordinances, a multi‑item budget amendment and a settlement of a pending workers’‑compensation and labor grievance matter.

Sanitary sewer system revenue refunding bonds Commission action: The commission approved an ordinance authorizing the issuance and sale of one or more series of sanitary sewer system revenue refunding bonds, the principal and interest of which are payable from sanitary sewer system revenues. Commissioner Robbins moved the item after a fiscal committee briefing; a roll‑call vote recorded “yes” from Commissioner Robbins, Commissioner Perdue, Commissioner Knight, Commissioner Belcek, Commissioner Kilgore and Mayor LeGrand. The motion carried. Commissioners also approved an immediate‑effect motion.

Water supply system revenue refunding bonds (Series 2025) Commission action: The commission approved an ordinance authorizing issuance of the Water Supply System Revenue Refunding Bond, Series 2025. Commissioner Robbins moved the ordinance; a roll‑call vote recorded unanimous “yes” votes from the commissioners present and Mayor LeGrand. The commission approved immediate effect for the ordinance.

Budget ordinance amendment for FY2026 (Ordinance 2025‑11, Amendment No. 3) Commission action: The commission approved an amendment to section 1 of the budget ordinance 2025‑11 for fiscal year 2026 (amendment No. 3). Commissioner Knight presented details. The amendment packages six items into the budget and was approved by roll call with affirmative votes recorded from Commissioner Knight, Commissioner Belcek, Commissioner Kilgore, Commissioner Robbins, Commissioner Perdue and Mayor LeGrand. Items included in the amendment are: - 60 First District Court: recognition and appropriation of a federal Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) grant award of $400,000 to continue the drug sobriety court program for defendants with substance use disorders. - Police department: appropriation of $140,000 from federal forfeiture fund balance to replace protective helmets for the special response unit and to support vice‑unit vehicles. - Engineering department: grant award to support extension of the ELC primary circuit and Wealthy Street infrastructure to enable a future solar array at the Butterworth Landfill (detail: grant referenced; amount not specified in the transcript). - Engineering department: alley/area abandonment at 30 Division North with removal of concrete/curb and construction of a retaining wall (scope summarized in packet). - 60 First District Court carry forward: budget amendment of $53,010 to carry forward unexpended FY2025 appropriations to pay a vendor invoice for Microsoft government migration that was not completed by June 30, 2025. - Fiscal services: general fund appropriation from fund balance of $690,500 to fund FY2026 expenditures related to the Oracle implementation project. Commissioners also approved immediate effect for the budget amendment.

Workers’ compensation and grievance settlement (resolution) Commission action: The commission suspended rules and approved a resolution authorizing settlement of a pending workers’ compensation case, Shane Kimball v. City of Grand Rapids, and a pending labor grievance, GRFFU Local 336 Kimball v. City of Grand Rapids. Commissioner Perdue presented the resolution. The commission approved settlement in the amount of $79,750 plus zero cents in statutory costs and fees; the motion carried on a voice vote.

Other routine items The commission also received routine reports — including a comptroller’s warrant report for 09/23/2025–10/06/2025 totaling $41,148,527.02 — and approved consent agenda items that had passed unanimously out of committee.

Votes below reflect entries as recorded in the meeting roll call and public record.