Kent County Governmental Organization
Kent County Board of Commissioners
The chief legislative and policy-making body of Kent County Government is the 19-member Board of Commissioners. Commissioners are elected to 2- year terms from districts that are roughly equal in population.
Regular meetings of the Board of Commissioners are open to the public and are held in the Board of Commissioners’ Room on the third floor of the County Administration Building. Items that appear on the Board of Commissioners’ agenda are usually first considered by one of two standing committees, the Finance and Physical Resources Committee and the Legislative and Human Resources Committee. Membership of the standing committees is composed of Commissioners, who are appointed by the Board Chair at the beginning of each new year.
The Board welcomes the public to express their ideas or concerns about issues affecting Kent County Government during meetings of the Board or its Standing Committees. A citizen may speak by approaching the podium and being recognized by the Board Chair during the “Public Comment” item on the meeting agenda.
Duties of the Board of Commissioners:
- Approving a mission statement for the County;
- Adopting the annual County budget. This includes approving the annual budgets of other, independently elected, County officials: the Sheriff, the County Clerk, the Drain Commissioner, Judges of the 17th Circuit Court and 63rd District Court, the Prosecutor, and the Treasurer;
- Raising the money to fund the County’s operations by levying property taxes, setting fees, selling bonds or borrowing;
- Selecting a County Administrator/Controller to supervise the day-to-day operations of County departments;
- Determining the sites of County buildings, and purchasing or disposing of Countyowned property and facilities;
- Representing the County, and managing its property and business by adopting rules, regulations, ordinances and policies; and
- Appointing citizen members to County boards, commissions, and committees, which provide oversight for significant County services.
Other Elected Officials
The following officials are elected to four-year terms in the general presidential election.
The County Clerk manages County elections, serves as the Register of Deeds, manages vital County records, and serves as the Clerk of the Circuit Court.
The County Treasurer serves as the custodian of all County funds and is responsible for receipting, recording, and investing all money deposited.
The Drain Commissioner administers the location, construction, and maintenance of drains and lake levels in the County.
The Prosecuting Attorney appears on behalf of the State or the County in proceedings brought before the Circuit Court, District Court, and Probate Court. The Prosecuting Attorney shares jurisdiction with the Michigan Attorney General for any crime committed in Kent County, but is independent of that state office.
The Sheriff oversees the provision of law enforcement and corrections programs and services to the community as mandated by Statute or dictated by the Board of Commissioners and County citizens.
The voters of Kent County also elect Circuit, District, and Probate Court Judges.
