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City Council reviews budget presentations, questions cemetery contracting and BPW capacity
Summary
On March 30, 2026, Zeeland City Council heard department budget presentations from the city attorney, finance, public safety, utilities and BPW; members pressed officials about cemetery contracting, BPW capacity planning to 2030 and hydrant maintenance. No formal votes were recorded.
ZEELAND, Mich. — Zeeland City Council on Monday reviewed a series of department budget presentations and asked for clarifications on contracting and utility planning as staff outlined priorities for the coming year.
Finance Director Kevin Plockmeyer led the session’s fiscal overview and department heads presented their proposed budgets. City Attorney Jim Donkersloot opened the presentations with his office’s budget, followed by marketing and economic development budgets presented by Marketing Director Abby DeRoo and the Police Department budget presented by Police Chief Tim Jungel. Clean Water Plant Superintendent Doug Engelsman presented the Clean Water Fund portion and addressed related capital work, including the Church Street capital improvement project. BPW General Manager Andy Boatright and Power Supply Manager Mulder joined Plockmeyer to present BPW budgets.
Council members focused questions on several operational items. Mayor VanDorp asked whether cemetery fertilization is contracted out; Plockmeyer said those services are performed by a third‑party contractor. Mayor Pro‑Tem Gruppen asked whether the cemetery maintenance totals cover both sites; Plockmeyer confirmed the cost figures include both the Lincoln and Felch Street cemeteries. The transcript does not specify contract vendor names, contract amounts, or line‑item budget totals.
During the BPW presentation, councilors discussed capacity requirements through 2030 and the long‑term needs of the electric and water systems. Water Operations Manager Postma described the hydrant maintenance program as part of routine water operations. Council members also discussed the profitability of the water and electric funds and the cash balances that have accumulated in those funds; the transcript records the discussion but does not include specific fund balances or profitability figures.
Plockmeyer also addressed the Church Street capital improvement project during the Clean Water Fund presentation. The agenda notes that capital projects and purchases for major and local streets, facilities, and motor pool will be discussed on day two of the budget review; no capital project votes or approvals are recorded in the transcript provided.
Councilors closed the session by noting recent downtown events, including a weekend Easter Egg Hunt, and praising staff for assembling the budget. The meeting included a scheduled break and is set to continue discussion of capital projects and operational fund purchases on the following day.
What’s next: capital projects and purchases for the funds listed on the agenda are scheduled for day two of the budget review; the transcript does not record any formal motions or votes on budget items during this session.
