Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Intergovernmental Services topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Council approves two‑year pilot to provide assessing services to Walker, citing cost savings and shared-services goals
Summary
Grandville approved a two‑year pilot allowing its city assessor, Charlie Decatur, to provide assessing services to neighboring Walker under a 60/40 cost‑split; staff said the arrangement could save Grandville about $40,000 annually and will include contract language adjustments to address liability concerns.
The Grandville City Council voted on July 13 to enter a two‑year pilot agreement under which Grandville would provide assessing administration services to the city of Walker through Grandville’s city assessor, Charlie Decatur.
Griffin, the city manager, said the intergovernmental arrangement would have Walker compensate Grandville monthly and that the proposed cost split is 60% Walker, 40% Grandville. "Our goal is... to create efficiency," Griffin said, adding the arrangement is expected to save Grandville about $40,000 a year while including pay adjustments and some part‑time help to maintain resident-facing service.
Charlie Decatur, identified as the city assessor, said he is prepared to administer both communities' assessing work and acknowledged the arrangement will be a challenge. City legal staff recommended modest contract edits to avoid language that contractually guarantees every single assessment will be accurate and to add housekeeping provisions and appropriate authority citations.
Council supported the pilot subject to the city attorney's recommended tweaks to liability and housekeeping language; council then voted to approve the agreement. Administration said staff will provide a finalized contract reflecting the discussed modifications and monitor performance through the two-year pilot.
