Committee approves up to $14.43 million refusal‑disposal bond resolution to fund PAS pre‑treatment and treatment improvements

The Kent County Finance and Infrastructure Committee voted to recommend a resolution allowing the county and the Department of Public Works to issue refuse disposal system bonds (Series 2026) in an amount not to exceed $14,430,000 to fund PAS pre‑treatment and wastewater processing and treatment improvements serving the Kentwood, North Kent and South Kent landfills.

Staff presented the proposed resolution and said the bonds are authorized under Public Act 185 of 1957 as amended. The agenda summary said bond proceeds "will be used to pay for necessary improvements, including but not limited to PAS pre‑treatment and wastewater processing and treatment improvements" and that "the principal of and interest on the bonds will be payable from the funds of the Kent County Refuse disposal system." Staff anticipated a June 2026 closing.

Commissioners raised several clarifying questions before the committee voted. Commissioner Ponstein welcomed the project but criticized the administrative and legal cost of borrowing and asked staff to be mindful of issuance expenses. Commissioner Coleman asked for a concise "stat card" showing how the bonds fit into the county's larger debt portfolio and requested packet detail on issuance costs (she recalled approximately $400,000), an estimated interest rate (she referenced about 3.79 percent) and total lifetime costs.

Public works staff (addressed in discussion as Dart) said the need for the improvements is driven by legacy PAS materials disposed decades ago that leach into waste streams and require treatment. Staff identified multiple regulators and permit holders involved in discharge and stormwater permits (the Grand Rapids and Wyoming wastewater treatment plants, the North Kent Sewer Authority and the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality/Eagle). On repayment, staff said the bonds will be secured by and repaid from refuse disposal system revenues and tip‑fee revenue; they said the county has built debt service into the 2026 and 2027 budgets but may later recommend an adjustment to the waste surcharge (currently $1.68 per ton) to cover ongoing 20‑year debt service.

Staff described project financing details: the full PAS pre‑treatment project cost is roughly $18 million with about $4.8 million to be funded from public works cash reserves and the remainder requested through bonding. Staff also noted approximately four years of overlap with an existing 20‑year bond for the recycling education center (with roughly $900,000/year remaining) before that legacy debt rolls off in 2030.

After discussion the committee held a voice vote and the motion passed; no roll‑call tally was recorded in the meeting transcript.

Votes at a glance

- DPW refuse disposal system bond resolution (Series 2026): recommended to full board; motion moved by Commissioner Paclo and supported by Commissioner Wulmack; outcome: passed by voice vote. Bond amount not to exceed $14,430,000; proceeds to fund PAS pre‑treatment and wastewater improvements; repayment from Kent County refuse disposal system revenue and tip fees.

- Community Development Block Grant program income appropriation: recommended to full board; approved $21,124 of CDBG program income for FY26 community development federal project fund; motion passed by voice vote.

- Summer 2026 general operating property tax levy: recommended to full board; authorized levy of 4.0142 mills for the 2026 summer tax billing (tax levy date July 1, 2026); motion passed by voice vote.

Next steps: the committee recommended the bond resolution to the full Kent County Board of Commissioners for final consideration and staff said bond documents have been reviewed by bond counsel and a closing is anticipated in June 2026.