2004 State of the County Address
February 12, 2004
David Morren, Chair
Good morning. I am pleased and honored, as Chair of the Board of Commissioners, to present this 2004 State of the County address, which represents my second address to the Board and to the community. It is hard to believe that it's been a year since I presented the last State of the County; it seems like only yesterday. My goal this morning is to provide you with an overview of our accomplishments in 2003, the commitments we have made moving forward into 2004, and plans for what to expect in the next twelve months and beyond for Kent County.
I would, initially, like to extend my heartfelt gratitude to my fellow Commissioners for your outstanding work and service on behalf of the residents and businesses of Kent County during the past twelve months. I have enjoyed serving as Board Chair, and with the able assistance of Vice Chair and Finance Committee Chair Roger Morgan, and Legislative Committee Chair Dan Koorndyk, look forward to what is already beginning to look like a very busy and challenging 2004! Your continued support is valued and appreciated, and has made my role as Chair both and privilege and a joy. Again, my sincere thanks to all of you.
I would also like to express my thanks to our excellent staff and employees. As I stated last year, I can't do it alone; the Board can't do it alone. Our dedicated and professional employees take our decisions and convert them into action to serve our citizens. And Kent County continues to be recognized as a leader in its ability to innovate, even in what has become a challenging economic environment. Commissioners should recognize and thank the employees of our County for their outstanding efforts.
Finally, I would like to extend a word of appreciation to our citizens for placing their trust in each of us to faithfully and diligently serve as their representatives on this Board. I appreciate this opportunity, and I know that each of you appreciates it as well. We have been given a rare and important privilege, and based upon what has transpired during the past twelve months-which I will outline in a moment-the community has been well-served. The support and encouragement I have received from my constituents has helped me throughout this past year, as well as my previous eight on the Board. We all owe a debt of gratitude to the people we serve.
While the state of Kent County remains healthy, we have been challenged during the past 18 months by Michigan's financial shortfalls. State revenues account for about 30 percent of the County's total budgeted revenues, and during the past 18 months we have seen declining revenues from the state. From what we have all seen from the reports coming from Lansing, this will not change over the next 12 to 18 months. I would like, however, to extend my gratitude and compliments to the directors of the various County departments, both elected and appointed, for recognizing and understanding the fiscal constraints with which we have been operating. Their management efforts during 2003 resulted in operating budgets spending less than what was originally anticipated. You have proven, once again, your abilities to manage our resources well.
Fortunately, because of the strong tradition of fiscal conservancy and careful financial stewardship that the County has practiced for many years, we continue to have a healthy fund balance. We will, however, be faced with the task of more critically reviewing proposals and funding requests, and we will continue to look at more creative ways to fund shortfalls. To assist in this effort, I reconvened the Fund Balance Review Subcommittee, comprised of Commissioners Morgan and Koorndyk, myself, Administrator/ Controller Daryl Delabbio, Fiscal Services Director Bob White, and Facilities Planning and Management Director Bob Mihos. My commitment, and our commitment, should be to keep the County in the strong financial position that we enjoy. Before sharing the County's agenda for 2004, I would like to spend a couple of minutes reviewing our accomplishments during the past 12 months.
Among the many accomplishments that took place in 2003, two appear to stand heads above the others, and both involved grand openings! The first is Millennium Park, where Phase I was opened to the public (and to rave reviews) in August. This is a crown jewel, not only for the County's parks system, but for the County as a whole. The response to its opening was nothing short of overwhelming. While this is a County-owned facility, it is truly a community project. Funding has come from the County, the State, and-through the tireless and relentless efforts of Ambassador Peter Secchia-private contributions! County residents and visitors have an outstanding facility to enjoy, including a beach, picnic shelters, beach house, and other amenities. And this is just the beginning! There is much work being planned for the future of what should be the premier public urban park in Michigan, the Midwest, and perhaps the nation.
The second opening was the DeVos Place convention center. The County, through the Hotel/Motel Tax, is the primary funding partner for this $220 million project. The County has contributed $92 million toward the construction of DeVos Place. And along with the City of Grand Rapids and the State of Michigan, is a partner of the Convention/Arena Authority. Once again, however, this project could not be completed in a vacuum, and $33 million was raised through private sources, along with funds from the State, the City of Grand Rapids Downtown Development Authority, the Convention/Arena Authority, and federal grants. But it should not be lost in all the fanfare that without the County's participation, both financially and as a member of the Convention/Arena Authority, this project would not be reality. And I would like to take this opportunity to not only thank you all, but also past Board Chair Steve Heacock, for his leadership and vision, bringing the County into the fold of this impressive accomplishment.
These two projects, like many before it, exemplify the significant level of public-private collaboration and cooperation that exists in the greater Grand Rapids area. These two projects reaffirm our ability to work together toward the greater good-which separates this area from others!
Other accomplishments, which are important and should not be lost in the grandeur of Millennium Park and DeVos Place, include:
New Cooperative Extension Facility: After many years in cramped space, the $1.2 million renovation of the former District Library Headquarters on Ball Street was completed in the spring, and now the Kent/MSU Cooperative Extension Office has the space and functionality it needs to effectively serve our community.
South Substation: In cooperation with Gaines Township and its new Township Hall, a new Sheriff South Substation opened in the spring of 2003. The continued presence of the County's law enforcement arm in this state-of-the-art facility reaffirms our commitment to bringing the services to the people.
CMH Authority: In April, the County's Community Mental Health Department became a full-fledged autonomous authority, capping a two-year planning and organizing effort designed to improve mental health and substance abuse services to our community. Through the efforts of the Board of Commissioners, CMH Board, and our excellent staffs, the transition went smoothly and without interruption of services to clients.
West Nile: While not ours alone to take in terms of credit, the Health Department's outstanding public education and outreach efforts contained the West Nile Virus to a virtually non-existent issue in 2003. We planned and educated early, and the public embraced the information and acted appropriately.
In addition to these accomplishments, there are a number of ongoing projects in which the County is still involved and which we are committed to completing.
Wildlife Park/Zoo: In 2003, the Board of Commissioners reviewed a staff report on the potential for a wildlife park in Grand Rapids Township. This option was created as a result of Fred Meijer's generous offer to donate the land he purchased in Grand Rapids Township, as well as a matching "grant" of $25 million, to develop a wildlife park. A task force chaired by Commissioner Tom Postmus, and co-chaired by Commissioner Dean Agee, met in the spring to review the feasibility of the proposed location. As a result of the findings of the task force, along with the final report issued by the staff, the Board of Commissioners voted to move forward and place on the ballot in 2004, a millage question to fund construction and some operations for a new wildlife park. The Board will be presented with the formal language for a millage question in the very near future.
The County is also participating on a John Ball Zoological Gardens Reclamation Task Force created and chaired by Grand Rapids City Commissioner Roy Schmidt to review options and make recommendations on the future uses for what is currently the John Ball Zoo and park, in the event that the millage vote is successful to enable the move of the zoo to a new wildlife park. Commissioners Postmus and Dick Bulkowski have graciously agreed to serve on this task force, which once again is indicative of our interest in working with the greater community to develop sound plans for a treasured asset.
Central Dispatch: As mentioned in my first State of the County address, the County has worked with local police and fire departments, the Sheriff Department, State Police, and EMS companies to develop a plan for consolidating the County dispatch and several local unit dispatch centers into a countywide dispatch authority. Much work has been done during the past three years and a report with recommendations will be presented to the Board in the very near future. Public health and safety remain core values of Kent County, and a countywide 911 system is essential to maintain and improve our public safety efforts. Such a system, however, will not come without costs. The forthcoming recommendation will include a funding proposal that will likely require a vote of our citizens in order to adequately finance the development and ongoing operations for such a system.
Facilities Needs Plan: In 1990 and again in 1999, a Building Needs survey was completed in an effort to plan for the future of the County facilities. In last year's State of the County, I indicated that we should look at County facilities strategically, not only as "places" to work, but also as the way in which the County can and should do business in the future. Over the past three years, we have seen significant improvements to the County's facilities. In 2001, our Courthouse was opened. In 2002, we saw a renovated and expanded Sheriff facility. And in 2003, we experienced several milestones with Phase I of Millennium Park, the opening of DeVos Place, a "new" Cooperative Extension Office facility, and a new Sheriff South Substation. Design Plus was retained to assist the County in updating its Facility Needs Plan. Commissioner Fritz Wahlfield chaired (and chairs) an Administration Building Task Force, along with Commissioners Roger Morgan and Dick VanderMolen. This task force has been reviewing options related to the long-term future of the Administration Building. In addition, the County and City of Grand Rapids again showed how cooperation and collaboration can work: joining efforts to make improvements to the former Cooperative Extension office on Fuller to become a facility that will be used by Area Community Service and Employment Training (ACSET). This work is expected to be completed in early spring.
As we continue to pay close attention to our facilities and service practices, this year we are also making extensive renovations to the Health Department facility, as well as the Health Department's Sheldon Clinic. And, continuing our practice of working with local units of government, the County has entered into an agreement with the townships of Ada, Cascade, and Grand Rapids to lease space for the Sheriff Department East Precinct. The East Precinct was created over a year ago and has received an extremely favorable response from the residents and businesses in the townships. By placing a facility in a centrally-located area for the townships, we can expect to see even more improved service to the residents of that particular area.
We have done all of this by maintaining our total tax levy to 5.3140 mills.
The County, as you can see, had a busy and productive 2003. On February 3, 2004, we met as a Board in a planning session to help determine our agenda for 2004. Many of the things I have referred to are issues that will still have to be addressed this year. Issues such as Prevention, Health Care for People of Color, and Urban Growth have been "institutionalized" and made part of the County's "way of doing business." But we must continue to move forward, and based upon the discussion that took place with you, the following represents our collective thoughts related to 2004 in Kent County.
As part of the continued emphasis on planning for the County's facilities and infrastructure, the Administration Building Task Force, chaired by Commissioner Wahlfield, with the assistance of Commissioners Morgan and VanderMolen, has been meeting on a regular basis to discuss the future of the building we now sit in. Recommendations are being developed and will be presented to the Finance & Physical Resources Committee and Board in the near future regarding some property acquisition.
While we had nothing short of a spectacular response to the initial opening of Millennium Park, there is still much work to be done. Phase I will open in its entirety in 2004, and a community group has been formed to begin planning for that event. We still have property acquisitions to make, environmental concerns to address, and development of facilities to ensure that this Park remains a significant part of the recreational opportunities available to residents of, and visitors to, Kent County. I plan to extend an invitation to Governor Granholm to personally tour the Park with me, so that further support from the state can be gained.
In last year's State of the County address, I requested that the County begin to develop a set of strategic guidelines that would provide a framework for County decision making, particularly as we face declining revenues. The proposed process involves a three-phase approach to building upon the County's mission, goals, and traditional way of doing business, as well as priorities and strategies for each functional area. This process will involve 1) the Board of Commissioners providing strategic direction to the department directors and elected officers; 2) facilitating discussions among the functional areas of County government to identify the environments in which we operate, an analysis of strategic factors, and development of various alternatives and recommendations; and 3) the Board reviewing the recommendations and establishing priorities for action. The intent is to develop a concerted effort to plan more strategically so that our decision making is not made in a vacuum, but in a way that is forward thinking and guided by our mission and values.
Given the state of the economy, which has significantly affected Kent County, as well as the entire state, I would like us to look at ways to help the economy. We are active participants in The Right Place, Inc., but that is not enough. I'm not suggesting that economic development be the County's mission, but we must look at ways to "not get in the way," by undue regulations. We must look at County government performing functions that the private sector doesn't perform; not duplicating the services that are offered. We must recognize that a vibrant economy creates the mechanism for us to have a high quality of life, and that high quality of life attracts the businesses and workforce required for a strong economy. This is more a philosophical dialogue, but one that I believe the County should at least begin to consider.
Our plate is full. Significant issues will be addressed in 2004 that will define the character of Kent County for many years to come. Some of the questions that exist at this time will be clarified. We will know if there will be a Wildlife Park in our future and how the existing John Ball Zoo might be utilized if the Wildlife Park becomes reality. We will also know if there will be a countywide 911 dispatch system in the near future. We will continue to make significant improvements to the beauty of Kent County through ongoing work at Millennium Park. We will continue to be effective stewards of the public funds we are entrusted to manage. And we will have a process in place to prioritize future projects as we continue to convert dreams into reality.
We are in an enviable position, and our desire is to remain in a position that will allow us to meet the challenges we know are before us. We are continuing to plan for the future.
In conclusion, I am honored and humbled to present this 2004 State of the County address to you. Kent County is a tremendous place to live, work, and recreate. The County organization is exceptional and excellence-driven, led by a Board that is willing to look long-term. Again, I want to extend my appreciation to the Board of Commissioners, to all of the dedicated citizens who volunteer to serve on our appointed Boards, Committees, and Commissions, to our exceptional County workforce, and most important to our outstanding citizens for making Kent County what it is. And while we have much to be proud of, we have many exciting challenges facing us in the near future.
God bless you all.
