Kent County approves Consumers Energy easement for North Kent recycling center and accepts $194,188 EGLE materials‑management grant

The Kent County Board of Commissioners approved two Department of Public Works items: a utility easement with Consumers Energy to supply upgraded electrical service to the North Kent Transfer Station recycling facility and acceptance of a 2025 Materials Management Planning Program grant from the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) for $194,188.57.

Al, a Department of Public Works staff member, summarized the Consumers Energy easement request, saying the transfer station’s new baling and densifier equipment requires upgraded electrical service. Dar Bass, DPW staff, told commissioners the upgraded amperage will allow the facility to run the densifier and baling equipment at the same time: "Consumers Energy is going to upgrade the amperage so that we can run all the equipment simultaneously." Commissioner Pacwa moved the easement motion with support from Commissioner Womack; the board approved it by voice vote.

The board then voted to accept the EGLE Materials Management Planning Committee (MMPC) grant of $194,188.57. The DPW submitted a work program, schedule and budget that the state approved; staff said the county qualified for up to roughly $360,000 but chose the $194,188.57 budget for the first year. The DPW described the grant as 100% state funded and part of a three‑year planning process: year one for a gap analysis, year two to draft the plan and conduct community engagement, and year three to seek board approval and then the required approvals from two‑thirds of local communities before forwarding the plan to the state.

Commissioner Pacla asked whether indirect costs were included in the grant budget; DPW staff said that was a choice, explaining the budget does include a portion of staff time and some consulting dollars but did not include a separate indirect‑cost line item. DPW staff also said the state’s guidance is evolving: the state has reaffirmed diversion goals (30% by 2030) and recently provided guidance on measuring access to curbside recycling and on required accessibility; staff said the guidance does not yet fully address multifamily housing collection challenges.

DPW staff warned that unspent grant funding in year two might not be guaranteed in year three and said the county may propose a larger budget in year two to ensure infrastructure or implementation funding is not lost. Commissioner Womack moved acceptance of the grant and Commissioner Faber provided support; the board approved the grant by voice vote.

Ending: Commissioners and staff said they will return with recommended next steps for the MMPC process, including a community‑engagement plan and possible infrastructure spending proposals for subsequent years.