Issue of the Month: County Economic Development Policy

Over the years the Commission has encouraged economic development activity in the county. The more economic growth, the more property tax revenue we will receive— and that helps us perform our mission of enhancing quality of life for our citizens. We have taken an active role in funding the Right Place Program which aids development, funded the VanAndel and DeVos buildings, and partially fund Experience Grand Rapids which brings visitors and conventions to our area. The Downtown Development Authority Act of 1975 authorized formation of geographic districts that could receive partial property tax exemptions with the stipulation these funds would be used to enhance economic development activities. Over the years this practice has begun to negatively effect county revenue. The Commission adopted a policy in 2007 that set limits on how much of our county’s taxes could be siphoned off for such activities. We have set limits on the amount of taxes allowed to be ‘captured’ in each municipality, and we have begun to exercise our right to ‘opt-out’ of allowing complete capture of all taxes in some districts. While this may mean less money for the DDA, it does mean the County can control its future revenue stream a bit more by deciding how much and how long the capture of its taxes is allowed. This practice is often criticized as the county not favoring economic development, but just the opposite is intended.

Issue of the Month: County Budget for 2015

In October I reported the Commission had adopted the first portion of the FY 2015 budget of $70 M for Oct. 1 through Sept. 30, 2015. This is the portion that is partially funded by State funds, and runs the same fiscal year as the State. We recently passed the remainder of the budget which runs from Jan 1 through Dec. 31, and is primarily funded by county tax dollars and other local sources. The budget for this additional portion next year is $160 M operations, $12 M debt payments, and $5.4 M for capital improvements. Combined this is $250 M funds under Commission accountability. The County levies 4.2803 mills to cover approximately 54% of that total, plus special millages for the Correctional Facility, Seniors, and Veterans. Nearly 50% of the budget is used for public safety and justice services. A challenge every year is being able to live within a very small increase in revenue from property taxable values, while needing to absorb ever increasing costs for operations of the county functions. The Commission has been able to operate within a ’structurally balanced’ spending plan in recent years—which means anticipated expenditures are never more than anticipated income. With this spending discipline we have been able to maintain a healthy fund balance, with one advantage being the county and municipalities use our AAA credit rating when it comes time to borrow money for major capital projects.

Issue of the Month: Senior Meals on Wheels Program

I want to highlight a program that is not a formal Kent County operated program, but one which serves a large portion of our county’s citizens. This is the Senior Meals program, a Kent County based Michigan non-profit organization operating independently from any county General Fund tax funding. I am a Board member of Senior Meals, and actively involved in overseeing its services to seniors in our county. The Senior Meals program in Kent County is primarily funded through contracts with the Area Agency on Aging with funds received from Michigan’s Older Michiganians Act, and the federal government’s Older Americans Act. Senior Meals is also one of the major recipients of Kent County’s Senior Millage. Senior Meals serves over 500,000 meals annually to Kent County clients who are low income with 400,000 of those going to seniors who are living alone in their homes. Our state’s emphasis—and older adults’ desire—to remain living independently in their own homes as long as possible is made possible by the preparation and delivery of nutritious and well planned meals. In addition to the home delivered meals, Senior Meals provides food to 14 congregate meal sites in senior housing complexes and community sponsored Senior Centers. It also has a pantry giving low income seniors the ability to shop twice per month for a wide variety of nutritious foods including diary and fresh produce.

Issue of the Month: Kent County Veterans Millage

Kent County voters will be asked to vote on a special dedicated millage of .05 mills for veterans assistance on the November 4 ballot. The County Commission decided to ask the voters for extra money over and above what is currently allocated from the General Fund because our county has the 4th largest veteran population but is ranked 50th out of our state’s 83 counties in obtaining federal funds to help veterans. Since we’ve established our own Department of Veteran Affairs in 2008 we have significantly enhanced our services to veterans, but we still find there are many more needs out there that our limited staff cannot help. This dedicated source of funds will enable us to do a much better job of outreach to veterans, and will aid in providing more emergency service assistance to needy veterans and their families. Specifically, the proposed new millage funds will help provide (1) more emergency utilities help, grocery purchases, rent, and transportation assistance, (2) improve outreach services to locations where veterans live and need services, (3) assistance in filing claims for VA benefits, (4) burial services will become funded, and (5) helping female veterans transition back into the civilian community. The added tax for the average homeowner will only be $5 per year based on a home valued at $100,000. For more information visit the Vote Yes for Vets website www.kentcountyvets.com.

Issue of the Month: Kent County Veterans Affairs Department

Six years ago the County Commission created a new department for Veteran’s Affairs in Kent County. Prior to the creation of this new Department the county provided only the services mandated by the State in the Sailors and Soldiers Relief Act. In 2008 the Commission set about creating a more central and fully staffed department whose mission was to “...provide a central, accurate, efficient, timely service to ensure delivery of benefits to Kent County veterans and their families.” We appointed a separate Advisory Committee of veterans to help in accomplishing this new expanded purpose. The prior Soldiers and Sailors Relief mission was enfolded into the new Department. Since 2008, the Veterans Affairs Department has now become the ‘go to’ place for veterans seeking answers to their VA issues, and seeking emergency support through tough times—as a result of their prior military participation. The County has gradually increased the operating budget assigned to the Department and creatively added several part-time and intern staff to help out. Since 2008 the Department has increased it’s services and output by 300%, and has helped bring in more than $18 million of financial benefits to veterans and their dependents. But we are not able to keep ahead of the demand, and thus are seeking additional funding through a small millage we are asking citizens to approve in November. I will be telling more in my October Newsletter.

Issue of the Month: Kent County Sports Commission—2nd Edition

In May 2013 I wrote about the Kent County Sports Commission, and the purpose of that body for our citizens. During the past fifteen months there have been many activities of the Sports Commission that I want to tell you about. The Sports Commission recently opened the Art Van Baseball field near Rockford. This new resource for baseball and softball for all levels of ability is already fully scheduled for the rest of the year. The new Miracle Field, built as part of the baseball/softball complex, will make it possible to hold games at which players with disabilities will be able to compete. The Sports Commission has gradually grown in influence and economic impact within the West Michigan area. The 5th Meijer State Summer Olympics this year had 39 sport offerings with 7,000 athletes participating, and nearly $2.8 million in direct spending by families and participants with hotels, meals, and other purchases. This was the 1st year the Sports Commission offered the Meijer State Winter Olympics with 12 sport offerings and another 2,000 participants—with its accompanying boost to our local economy. While we may not all agree we should spend our time and effort on sports—when we have many other issues to solve—we cannot dismiss the basic economic engine this Commission has had on our local economy, and the improvement in quality of life as a result. Visit www.accesskent.org for more information.

Issue of the Month: Kent District Library Millage

Each of us will have to weigh in on two special tax millages on the ballot August 5. I will highlight the second of these—Kent District Library millage—this month. On August 5, Kent District Library residents will vote on a 1.28 mills ballot proposal to provide funding for KDL for 10 years. The 1.28 millage rate consists of a renewal of the current 0.88 mill, which has been in place since 2000, and an additional 0.4 mill. The property tax millage provides 90% of KDL’s funding for services offered to more than 400,000 people at 18 branch locations throughout the county. During the past ten years KDL has made more than $1.6 million in budget cuts to live within a diminishing budget. If passed, the August 5 KDL operating millage will cost the average home owner a total of $8.50 per month, which is an increase of only $2.50 per month over what they currently are paying. The average cost per home owner of about $100 per year for the entire millage will be less than purchasing five new books. The proposed millage rate will allow KDL to offer additional materials and necessary technology upgrades and more convenient hours at all of its branches. It will expand services to the Blind and Handicapped and expand wireless services. The library patron’s use of E-books is the largest in the state, and more users are turning to this convenient but expensive system for their book needs. Visit www.yes4kdl.com for more information.