Kent County holds public hearing on 2026 budget; commissioners approve diaper bank and three grant amendments

The Kent County Board of Commissioners opened a public hearing on the proposed fiscal year 2026 budget and heard public comment before adopting four grant-related resolutions at its meeting on Aug. 14 in Grand Rapids.

Administrator Al Vandenberg presented the proposed budget, describing it as “more than just a set of numbers. It's our road map for the year ahead.” He said total sources of revenue for fiscal 2026 are $659,600,000 and the county’s all-funds budget is about $668,000,000. He told commissioners that 37% of revenue comes from taxes, with $212,000,000 from current property tax collections, and that the general fund proposed total is $254,800,000. Vandenberg said the county employs just over 2,000 full-time positions under the proposal.

Vandenberg outlined major functional allocations in the proposed budget: about $136,000,000 for public safety; $78,600,000 for judicial services; $123,300,000 for social services; $122,400,000 for general government and debt service; $72,600,000 for public works; $27,400,000 for community and economic development; and $25,800,000 for cultural activities. He noted Kent County holds a top credit rating and said a AAA rating lowers borrowing costs.

The administrator reminded the board that state statute requires a public hearing on the budget before…