The City of Grand Rapids' Fiscal Committee met Dec. 2 and approved a package of operational contracts, budget substitutions and personnel ordinances.

Employee benefits manager Michael Srin presented results of an RFP for employee assistance program services and recommended continuing with the incumbent EAP. "They've also been our EAP for the last 3 years, and they do, just a really wonderful job," Srin said; the committee approved a three-year contract (administration cost described in the agenda materials).

Deputy HR director Michelle Eddie asked commissioners to approve a one-year extension for AJ Gallagher as the city's agent of record for property and casualty insurance to provide runway for a full competitive RFP in 2026. "I am respectfully requesting your approval of this 1 year extension," Eddie said; the committee carried the motion.

The committee also approved a $28,136.57 payment to the Kent County Drain Commission for the Saddlebag Drain assessment following a presentation by Dan Taber, stormwater manager, who said the work includes pump-station construction, dredging and maintenance in a drainage area that spans Grand Rapids, Grand Rapids Township and Kentwood. Taber stated the project is on the county's schedule to be completed this year.

Two budget substitutions were approved: $500,000 to cover a gap for replacement switchgear at the filtration plant caused by an August lightning strike, and $3,265,506 for the Steven Steele to Randolph project after bids showed groundwater contamination increased water-related project costs. Staff said IIP funds will cover the gaps.

Personnel actions approved included a salary ordinance formalizing updated schedules for non-represented management employees of the 60th District Court (effective July 1, 2025) and classification and range changes in Mobile GR parking roles and creation of a parks planning and project manager classification; HR said the civil service board reviewed those changes on Nov. 18, 2025.

Commissioners received the comptroller's warrant report for Nov. 4–17, 2025, totaling $27,402,640.67; the deputy comptroller added payroll and income-tax warrant details. The treasurer and finance staff presented a broader financial update and noted use of a GVSU forecasting model to improve revenue estimates ahead of the February budget update.

Where agenda materials and presenter remarks differed, staff flagged clarifications: the EAP provider named in the RFP materials and the name cited in the presentation differed (agenda referenced a different vendor name than the presenter); the AJ Gallagher extension amount in the materials differed from the figure cited in the presentation. Staff indicated they would ensure accurate vendor and dollar-amount details in the final ordinance and contracts.