Boards, Commissions & Committees - Citizen Appointments
An Opportunity for Citizen Involvement
The Kent County Board of Commissioners annually seeks (typically in September) Citizens interested in serving the community through appointment to its boards, commissions and committees. Interested citizens may apply for service by submitting the required Resume Form or by contacting the Board of Commissioners' office at 616-632-7580.
Aeronautics Board
The principal responsibility of the Aeronautics Director, the Aeronautics Department, and the Aeronautics Board is the operation, financing, maintenance, and development of the Gerald R. Ford International Airport to provide safe and adequate air transportation facilities for the citizens of Kent County, and to develop sufficient revenue to meet operating expenses, capital improvements, and contractual bond obligations. The Aeronautics Board meets once a month in the Airport Board Room, 5500 – 44th Street SE. For specific meeting dates and times visit .www.flygrandrapids.org. There are three citizen members.
- Dean Agee - Commissioner
- Ted Vonk – Commissioner
- Dick Vander Molen - Commissioner
- Joseph Tomaselli
- John VanLaar
- Floyd Wilson
Agricultural Preservation Board
The Board of Commissioners adopted a Purchase of Development Rights Ordinance on November 26, 2002, which included the establishment of a County Agricultural Preservation Board. Per statutory/ordinance guidelines, the Board shall consist of one County Commissioner, three representatives with agricultural interests, one representative from township government, one individual with real estate or development interests, and one individual representing local conservation interests. The Board shall oversee the County's farmland preservation program and shall be responsible for, among other things, establishing selection criteria for the ranking and prioritization of application to the program, reviewing and providing oversight in scoring all applications according to the adopted selection criteria, and establishing the price to be offered to the property owner and authorize negotiations for the purchase of development rights and agricultural conservation easement, subject to approval of the Board of Commissioners. The Agricultural Preservation Board usually meets once a month at the Kent/MSU Extension Office, 775 Ball Ave. For more information visit www.accesskent.com/Yourgovernment/BOC/PDR or contact Kent/MSU Extension at 336-3265.
- Tom Antor - Commissioner
- Carlton Blough
- Jerry Davis
- Gabe Hudson
- Dennis Heffron
- Sister Lucille Janowiak
- Suzie Reinbold
Area Agency on Aging of Region VIII - Advisory Council
The Advisory Council is an advocacy group that focuses on legislative
issues of importance to older adults. The Council meets the first Monday
of the month at 1:00 p.m. For meeting location visit:
www.aaawm.org/AAAWMCalendar.htm.
There is no meeting in January or May. There is one citizen member who
must be 60 years old or older.
- James Vaughn - Commissioner
- Frederick Deane
Area Agency on Aging of Region VIII - Board of Directors
The Board makes policy decisions for Area Agency on Aging of Western Michigan which is a non-profit planning, funding, and advocacy organization for older adult programs. The Board of Directors meets eight times a year on the fourth Monday of the month at 1:30 p.m. For meeting location and specific dates visit www.aaawm.org/AAAWMCalendar.htm. There is one citizen member who must be 60 years old or older.
- Carol Hennessy - Commissioner
- Albert Page
City/County Building Authority
The charge of the City/County Building Authority is to construct and monitor facilities to completion as contracted jointly by the City of Grand Rapids and Kent County. There are two citizen members.
- Daryl Delabbio
- Carl Eschels
Community Corrections Advisory Board
The Community Corrections Advisory Board (CCAB) was established in 1988 under Public Act 511 and was given the power to adopt a comprehensive corrections plan in order to reduce the number of admissions to prison and the prison commitment rate of non-violent felony offenders. This Board advises the Office of Community Corrections. The CCAB meets during the months of February, May, September and November at 7:30 a.m. on the 5th Floor of the County Courthouse, 180 Ottawa Ave. (meeting day subject to change). There are two citizen members, one of whom is from the business community.
- Gary Rolls - Commissioner
- Denise Allsberry
- Judge David Buter
- Randy Demory
- William Forsyth
- Judge Patricia Gardner
- Kristen Gietzen
- Judge Donald Johnston
- Alecia Lewis
- Richard Mattice
- Rusty Merchant
- Tanda Newland
- Christine Tober
Community Health Advisory Committee
The Community Health Advisory Committee (CHAC) was established by the Kent County Board of Commissioners on April 3, 2001, in order to expand community participation in public health issues, to function as Health Department ambassadors in the community and to be the Health Department’s “eyes and ears” in the community. CHAC operates in an advisory capacity and provides input targeted towards specific health issues identified by the Health Department. Committee members include two members of the Board of Commissioners, one member of the Healthy Kent 2010 Board, one member from a faith-based organization, two members from community-based organizations, three members from health care providers, and one member each from the Kent Intermediate School District and the Kent County Department of Human Services. The Committee shall meet at least four times per year. Annually, CHAC will evaluate its effectiveness with the submission of a performance self-assessment related to CHAC’s purpose, and the level of member support lent to Health Department initiatives. It will also be asked to provide input to the County Administrator/Controller regarding the effectiveness of the Health Officer and the Medical Director.
- Brandon Dillon - Commissioner
- Pete Hickey - Commissioner
- Suzan Couzens
- Candace Cowling
- Ron Koehler
- Dr. Joseph Moore
- Norine Mulvilhill
- Lori Pearl-Krause
- Savator Seldon-Johnson
- Dr. Mark Swan
- Denise Zoeterman
Community Mental Health Authority Board (CMH)
The Community Mental Health Authority Board has the responsibility and authority to enhance the quality of life for individuals and families of all ages and residents of Kent County whom require mental health services. The Board manages state and county funds to provide services to mentally ill and persons with developmental disabilities. The Board meets the first Monday of the month at 4:30 p.m. at Network180, 728 Fuller NE. There are nine citizen members.
- Stan Ponstein - Commissioner
- Jim Talen - Commissioner
- Keith Courtade - Commissioner
- Charles Brown
- Brian Chisholm
- Helen Hillman
- Ralph Honderd
- Larry Oberst
- Clyde Sims Jr.
- Felicia Shabazz
- William Ver Hulst
- John Walker
Concealed Weapons Licensing Board
Per State statute, the Board of Commissioners shall appoint a Concealed Weapons Licensing Board consisting of the County Prosecuting Attorney (or a certified arms instructor), the County Sheriff, the Director of the Department of State Police, and the County Clerk who shall serve as the clerk of the Concealed Weapons Licensing Board. Except as otherwise provided in the enabling act, the Concealed Weapons Licensing Board has exclusive authority to issue, deny, revoke, or suspend a license to carry a concealed pistol. They meet the first Thursday of every month at 9:00 a.m. on the 3rd Floor of the County Administration Building, 300 Monroe Avenue NW.
- Wallace Duffin
County Building Authority
The charge of the County Building Authority is to construct and monitor facilities to completion as assigned by the Kent County Board of Commissioners. Projects are usually financed by an appropriation from the Board of Commissioners through the sale of bonds. The Building Authority meets the first Wednesday of the month at 8:30 a.m. in the County Administration Building, 300 Monroe Avenue NW. There are five citizen members.
- Sean Fitzgerald
- Daniel Koorndyk
- Steve Pestka
- Richard Rankin
- David Simmonds
Department of Human Services
The Department of Human Services Board and the Department of Human Services (DHS) are responsible for the administration of social service programs and the distribution of funds as appropriated by the State Legislature for public assistance grants. The DHS Board is also responsible for discretionary fund allocations to community-based human service agencies. This Board generally meets on Wednesdays of each month at 8:00 a.m. at the Department of Human Services, 415 Franklin SE. Contact the Department of Human Services at 247-6005 for specific dates. There are two citizen members.
- Julia Guevara
- Jerry Kooiman
- Bruce McCoy
Fire Commission
Operating under MCLA 45.3 and MCLA 124.1, the Fire Commission provides a means for the participating units of government to purchase fire apparatus. It also provides a centralized bidding system for various supply items and insurance. All seventeen participating departments are staffed by volunteer firefighters. The Fire Commission meets at the Kent County Road Commission Offices, 1500 Scribner NW, on the second Friday of each month at 9:00 a.m. The Fire Commission also holds one evening meeting during the year at a select location. Members are from the units of government that participate in the financing and support of fire departments.
- Tom Antor - Commissioner
- Art Tanis - Commissioner
- Don Hilton
- Dennis Hoemke
- James McIntyre
- Mark Rambo
- Jean Wahlfield
Foreign Trade Zone Board
A foreign trade zone is a site within the United States where foreign and domestic merchandise are considered by the U.S. Government as not being within the U.S. customs territory but in international commerce. The Foreign Trade Zone Board was created with the sole purpose of applying for and obtaining the privileges of establishing, operating, and maintaining foreign trade zones in Kent, Muskegon, and Ottawa Counties. This board consists of representatives from the three counties (four from each county) and meets on a quarterly basis. The meeting place is determined at the beginning of each year. There are three citizen members.
- Pete Hickey - Commissioner
- Daryl Delabbio
- Paul Howland
Friend of the Court Citizens Advisory Committee
This Committee advises the Circuit Court and the County Board of Commissioners regarding the Office of the Friend of the Court, its duties and performance, and on the community’s needs relative to the services provided by the Friend of the Court. This Committee also reviews randomly selected grievances from the Office of the Friend of the Court. The Committee meets the first Monday of every other month beginning in January at Noon in Room 311 of the County Administration Building, 300 Monroe Avenue NW. There are six citizen members: an advocate for children, a representative of custodial parents, a representative of non-custodial parents, a family law attorney, a mental health professional, and a member of the general public. (More information can be found at Friend of the Court).
- Bruce McCoy
- Leah Brinks
- Sandy Harmon
- Nicole Thompson
- Lt. Scott Nibbelink
- Judy Ostrander
- Lupe Ramos-Montigny
- Chuck Riley
- Mark Vermeer
Grand Rapids-Kent County Convention Arena Authority
Kent County and the City of Grand Rapids established the Grand Rapids-Kent County Convention/Arena Authority in March 2002 pursuant to Act 203 of the Public Acts of Michigan of 1999, MCL 141.1401. By taking such action, the County agreed to assist in the development, construction, and operation of a new convention center in downtown Grand Rapids, and oversee the operation of the VanAndel Arena. There are two citizen members appointed by the County, including one from the private sector, having experience in economic development. The Authority meets the fourth Wednesday of each month at 8:00 a.m. in Room 310 of the County Administration Building, 300 Monroe Avenue NW.
- Steven Heacock
- Joseph Tomaselli
Grand Valley Metropolitan Council
The mission of the Grand Valley Metropolitan Council is to advance the current and future well-being of the people of the Grand Rapids metropolitan community by bringing together public and private sectors to cooperatively advocate, plan for, and coordinate the provision of services and investments which have environmental, economic, and social impact. The Metropolitan Council usually meets once a month on Thursday at 8:30 a.m. in Room 310 of the County Administration Building, 300 Monroe Avenue NW.
- Dick Bulkowski - Commissioner
- Sandi Parrish - Commissioner
- Daryl Delabbio
Housing Commission
The Housing Commission obtains federal (HUD) funds to assist low-income families living in Kent County find and pay for affordable rental housing. Meetings are held at 9:00 a.m. on the second Wednesday of each month at the Housing Commission Office located at 82 Ionia Avenue NW, Ste. 390. There are five citizen members.
- Lawrence Bergen
- Daryl Domke
- Thomas Dann
- Terri Weekly
- Raymond Dewey
Human Services Committee
This Committee was formed in 1974 to provide effective working relationships between local social services departments, local health departments, and local community mental health boards. The function of this Committee is to exchange information and to explore ways in which the various local agencies dealing with human services can work together efficiently and effectively. There are no citizen members on the Human Services Committee.
John Ball Zoo Advisory Board
The charge of the Zoo Advisory Board is to review and make recommendations with respect to the John Ball Zoological Garden; to the Board of Commissioners on the annual Zoo budget; the Zoo’s long range plan; annual capital outlay budget; Zoo staffing plan as it relates to the annual budgeting process; major programs and service contracts; and the fee structures for the Zoo. The Zoo Advisory Board meets quarterly in the Administration Board Room at the Zoo, 1300 West Fulton. There are six citizen members. For specific meeting times, contact the John Ball Zoo at 336-4301.
- Dick Bulkowski- Commissioner
- Gary Rolls - Commissioner
- Chris Brown
- James Burr
- Jon Nunn
- Dean Pacific
- Carole Pettijohn
- Jessica Tyson
Jury Commission
The Jury Commission consists of three qualified electors of the County appointed by the Board of Commissioners on recommendation of the Kent County Circuit Court Judges. Board members serve six-year terms. The Jury Commission selects the names of prospective jurors from current driver's licenses and state identification cards. They meet quarterly, beginning in February on the second Wednesday of the month at 1:00 p.m. in the Kent County Courthouse, 180 Ottawa Ave. – Jury Assembly Room.
- Wayne Bentley
- John Strauss
- Roosevelt Tillman
Kent County Family & Children's Coordinating Council
This Council serves as a forum for service providers to work together to coordinate and improve services for children, youth, and families in Kent County. The Council is made up of the directors of the County and State departments that provide services to families in Kent County and representatives from businesses, private agencies, private funding organizations, consumers, and advocates. The Council meets seven times per year and its committees meet monthly. For more information, go to www.accesskent.com/YourGovernment/BOC/.
- Cynthia Gladyness, Advocate/Consumer
- Savator Selden-Johnson, Vice Chair, Kent County Department of Human Services
- Susan Broman, Steelcase Foundation
- Candace Cowling, Child & Family Resource Council
- Tom Czerwinski, Area Agency on Aging
- Beverly A. Drake, Area Community Services & Employment Training
- Lynnette Ferrell, Frey Foundation
- William A. Forsyth, Kent County Prosecutor
- Robert Haight, Heart of West Michigan United Way
- Lynn Heemstra, Consumer/Advocate
- Judge Patricia Gardner, 17th Circuit Court Family Division
- Dr. Bernard Taylor, Grand Rapids Public Schools
- Paul Ippel, network180
- Ronald Jimmerson, Cascade Engineering
- Sharon Loughridge, DA Blodgett
- Cathy Raevsky, Kent County Health Department
- Diana Sieger, Grand Rapids Community Foundation
- Patti Warmington, Life Guidance Services
- Kevin Konarska, Kent Intermediate School District
- Andrew Zylstra, Kent County Department of Human Services
Kent District Library Board
The Kent District Library Board consists of eight members with each member representing a certain region of the County. The district identifies its participating municipalities as 26 units of government (excluding City of Grand Rapids and Cedar Springs) which have approved the District Library Agreement. The Board meets once a month at the District Headquarters, 814 West River Center, Comstock Park, as well as at participating libraries. For more information on meeting times and locations visit www.kdl.org.
- Shirley Bruursema
- Charles Fry
- C. Francis Gilcrest
- Vickie Hoekstra
- Charles Myers
- Scott Petersen
- Carol Simpson
- Denise Van Eck
Kent Hospital Finance Authority
The Kent Hospital Finance Authority was created and incorporated by the City of Grand Rapids and the County of Kent to provide certain private, nonprofit hospitals with the ability to finance, refinance, and refund indebtedness related to hospital facilities. The Authority meets annually and at such additional times as required by such hospitals. Meetings are held at the offices of legal counsel for the Authority, Rhoades McKee, 600 Waters Building, 161 Ottawa Avenue NW, Grand Rapids, which are open to the public.
- Harry Baxter
- Scott Buhrer
- Richard Fabiano
- C. David Mohan
- Hattie Patterson
- H. Edward Paul
- James Saalfeld
- Robert White
Land Bank Authority
The Land Bank Fast Track Authority was created as a public body corporate and politic within the Michigan Department of Energy, Labor and Economic Growth under the Land Bank Fast Track Act, 2003 PA 258, MCL 124.751 to 124.774, and is authorized to enter into intergovernmental agreements with county foreclosing governmental units providing for the creation of a county authority to exercise the powers, duties, functions, and responsibilities of an authority under that act. The Treasurer of Kent County is a foreclosing governmental unit under the Land Bank Fast Track Act. The Board of Commissioners established an Authority for Kent County as a separate legal entity and as a public body to exercise the powers, duties, functions, and responsibilities of an authority under the Land Bank Act for the benefit of the County and the State. The County Land Bank Authority shall consist of the following members: County Treasurer; one member of the County Board to be appointed by the County Board; one member of the Grand Rapids City Commission to be appointed by the County Board; one township board member located in Kent County to be appointed by the County Board; and one city council or commission member for any city located in Kent County, other than Grand Rapids, to be appointed by the County Board. There are no citizen members on the Land Bank Authority.
Local Development Financing Authority
The City of Grand Rapids recently established a high-tech SmartZone. The SmartZone will emphasize the biotechnology industry by encouraging business development related to the Van Andel Institute. The new SmartZone legislation allows the City to create a Local Development Financing Authority, which can capture approximately 50% of new taxes in a designated area, or areas, to fund incubator space, infrastructure improvements, and marketing. (The State will make up any school tax increment captured by the Authority). The Authority is to be appointed by the taxing units of the district. The Mayor, with the approval of the City Commission, will appoint seven. The Grand Rapids Public Schools Superintendent has two appointments. The Chair of the Kent County Board of Commissioners and Grand Rapids Community College President will each have one. City staff will provide administrative support. There are no citizen members on the Local Development Finance Authority.
Millennium Park Architectural Advisory Review Board
Millennium Park Architectural Advisory Review Board acts to ensure Millennium Park's architectural/design remains consistent with its Master Plan and as a clearinghouse for the numerous ideas regarding the Park development. Membership includes representation from the "Design Community" (1) and the "Business Community" (3) as well as County Commissioners (3).
- Dean Agee - Commissioner
- Sandi Parrish - Commissioner
- Art Tanis - Commissioner
- Vern Ohlman - Design Community
- David Custer - Business Community
- Peter Secchia - Business Community
- Francisco Vega - Business Community
Officers' Compensation Commission
Pursuant to Public Act 485 of 1978, the Kent County Board of Commissioners established an Officers' Compensation Commission to determine the compensation of non-judicial elected officials of the County (i.e., County Commissioners, Sheriff, Prosecutor, Clerk/Register of Deeds, Drain Commissioner, and Treasurer). The statute authorizes the Commission to meet every even year to determine the compensation for the following two calendar years. There are seven citizen members on the Commission.
- John Buchan
- Amy Freeburg
- Leland Mellendorf
- Susan Molhoek
- Dan Pfeiffer
- Dave Powers
- James Saalfeld
Pension Board
The Pension Board is charged with overseeing the investments of the Kent County Employees’ Retirement System and hiring investment managers. The Board consists of two citizen members, three County employees, and two County Commissioners. The Pension Board meets at 8:00 a.m. on the third Wednesday of February, May, August and November in the 2nd Floor Training Room of the County Administration Building, 300 Monroe Avenue NW.
- Roger Morgan - Commissioner
- Harold Vorhees - Commissioner
- Michael Dubay
- David Kok
- David Reglin
- William Walker
- Mark VanderMolen
Public Works Board
The Department of Public Works is a county service agency authorized under Act 185 of the Public Acts of 1957 as amended. The department has the ability, based on contractual arrangements with a municipality (or municipalities) to design, construct, inspect, and finance public improvements in the areas of water supply and treatment, sanitary sewage collection and treatment, storm sewers and industrial waste collection and treatment. The Department of Public Works also manages the Waste-to-Energy Incinerator, the North and South Kent Landfills, and the Residential Recycling Materials Recovery Facility. The Public Works Board oversees the various duties of the Department of Public Works. The Public Works Board meets the first Wednesday of each month at 8:30 a.m. at the Kent County Road Commission Offices, 1500 Scribner NW. There are no citizen members on the Public Works Board. For more information, go to www.accesskent.com/YourGovernment/PublicWorks/dpw_board.htm.
- Art Tanis, Chairman - Commissioner
- Ted Vonk, Vice Chairman - Commissioner
- Bill Byl, Secretary - Drain Commissioner, Board Member by virtue of office
- Dave Groenleer - Appointed by the Kent County Road Commssion
- Gary Rolls - Commissioner
- Bob Synk - Commissioner
- Richard Vander Molen - Commissioner
Road Commission Board
The Board of Road Commissioners is a five person board (all citizens) which is responsible, along with the Managing Director, for overseeing road planning, design, construction, and maintenance of the 2000 mile network of County primary and local roads. The Board meets twice a month beginning in January at the Kent County Road Commission Offices, 1500 Scribner NW. Visit www.kentcountyroads.net for specific dates and times.
- Dave Groenleer
- Patrick Malone
- Mark Rambo
- William Stellin
- John Weiss
Veterans’ Affairs Committee
The Veterans’ Affairs Committee is required by state law to review and approve requests from veterans for emergency assistance, to disburse funds from the County’s veterans’ emergency fund to support indigent veterans and their families, and to oversee the activities of the County’s Veterans’ Affairs Department. The Committee appoints a veterans’ affairs office manager to staff the Veterans’ Affairs Department and ensures that services funded by the County to assist veterans are provided appropriately and equitably. The Committee, comprised of five honorably discharged veterans who have served in wartime, is appointed by the County Board of Commissioners for staggered four-year terms. This Committee meets once a month.
- Fred Chambers
- Mary Johnson
- Harold Mast
- Bill Milzarski
- Paul Potter
