Kent County to add six assistant prosecutors with $4.82 million state grant, committee approves

The Finance and Infrastructure Committee approved a recommendation to accept and appropriate $4,820,980 from the State of Michigan for the local prosecutor support grant created by Public Act 22 of 2025 and to add six assistant prosecuting attorney (APA) FTE positions. Materials state the program allocated $2,359,353 for FY24 and $2,461,627 for FY26 to Kent County, totaling $4,820,980; the grant funds are intended to reduce attorney caseloads and are contingent on receipt and execution of the grant agreement.

Presenters said the grant is a response to advocacy to rebalance resources between prosecutor and public-defender offices; initial written response from the Michigan Department of Treasury indicated approval of the APA positions while seeking clarification on some non–personnel costs. The prosecutor's office said it has posted positions and identified qualified applicants who could start in July 2026, noting several applicants still must pass the bar or meet other hiring contingencies.

Commissioners asked about the permanence of funding and where the state is finding the revenue; presenters said the expectation among advocates is to continue the program but that continued funding would depend on legislative action. The committee approved the recommendation on a voice vote; positions are grant-funded and would be eliminated if the grant is discontinued unless continuation funding is approved.