Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the State Of The City topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Big Rapids mayor touts infrastructure upgrades, housing projects and $8 million wastewater plan in State of the City
Summary
Mayor Fred Gunther said Big Rapids is financially stable, highlighted housing starts and road and water projects, and reported progress on an $8,000,000 wastewater treatment upgrade. He also noted recruiting for a new police chief and federal help toward a new fire truck.
Mayor Fred Gunther delivered the City of Big Rapids’ 2026 State of the City on July 6, saying the municipality remains financially stable and is moving forward on several infrastructure and housing projects. "Our city remains financially stable," Gunther said, noting work on water mains, sidewalks and planned paving on State Street next spring.
Gunther highlighted housing developments he said are moving ahead, including a forthcoming San Diego development and the Hanchette senior housing project. He identified housing as "a major concern for all cities" and said the administration is focused on supporting new residential starts and downtown economic improvements.
On utilities, Gunther said the city’s "huge $8,000,000 wastewater treatment plant improvement plan is progressing well," and noted that a new pump station for the Hills of Mitchell Creek is completed and that water-main replacement work is entering final preparation. Public-works staff later described a change order to take advantage of contractors already onsite to add safety stairs and improved lighting to the wastewater plant; staff said a $75,000 grant will help pay for lighting improvements.
Gunther also noted ongoing cooperation with county and state road partners on recent paving projects and thanked public-safety and public-works crews for rapid responses to recent water-main breaks. He said the city is recruiting a new police chief following the departure of Daniel Haynes and thanked staff for their service.
The mayor acknowledged a federal contribution covering roughly half of a new fire truck, saying the city received about $500,000 after local staff requested support; a photo opportunity with a federal representative was scheduled for the week following the meeting. "We should all thank our police, fire, and emergency medical people and public works teams for their dedicated service," Gunther said.
The commission did not take additional policy votes tied directly to the State of the City remarks; items on funding and capital projects were considered subsequently as separate agenda items.
