Drain Commissioner
William R. Byl, Drain Commissioner
1500 Scribner NW
Grand Rapids, MI 49504
Phone: (616) 336-3688
Fax: (616) 336-3575
Mission Statement
The mission of the Kent County Drain Commissioner’s office is to improve and maintain stormwater drainage for the public safety, convenience, and welfare of the citizens of Kent County and also to be an effective and efficient steward of our natural and fiscal resources.
Staff Contacts
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Overview
The Drain Commissioner is elected to a four-year term to perform a number of duties assigned by State law. The Office of the Drain Commissioner is responsible for the administration of the State Drain Code as it applies to the receipt of petitions for the establishment, improvement or maintenance of over 533 miles of County Drains and 355 stormwater detention ponds in Kent County. Under the Subdivision Control Act, this office reviews stormwater plans for 50 plats a year and maintains records on over 1,800 plats. Other duties include the administration of 19 lake levels under the Lake Level Act, participation in the NPDES Phase II program and participation on lake improvement boards, maintenance of the GIS system as it pertains to County Drains, and the resolution of citizen complaints.
In 2007, the office facilitated the creation of stormwater master plans for two more townships and worked with FEMA to complete the mapping and analyses of several floodplains throughout the County. Also in 2007, the office worked with the State and FEMA on the York Creek hazard mitigation project to help control flooding in the area, assisted local units of government with watershed studies and completed a number of drain projects.
Goals
- Administer the Drain Code (Act 40, PA of 1956) as it pertains to the establishment and maintenance of drains in Kent County
- Administer the Subdivision Control Act (Act 288, PA of 1967) as it applies to stormwater management
- Administer Inland Lake Levels under Part 307 of the Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act (Part 307, Act 451, PA of 1994) as it pertains to the establishment and maintenance of lake levels in Kent County
2008 Adopted Uses: $679,832

2008 Adopted Revenues: $95,166

Selected Performance Measures
Performance Measure |
2005 |
2006 |
2007 |
2008 Goal |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Drainage problems resolved | 118 |
95 |
145 |
130 |
| Drain permit applications reviewed | 34 |
48 |
35 |
40 |
| Major drain and lake level projects | 5 |
8 |
8 |
18 |
| Intercounty drain board participation | 6 |
9 |
6 |
10 |
| Site plans reviewed | 116 |
65 |
90 |
70 |
| Lake Levels monitored | 16 |
17 |
17 |
17 |
Department History of Uses
| Uses | 2005 Actual |
2006 Actual |
2007 Adopted |
2008 Requested |
2008 Adopted |
Adopted % Change |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Personnel | $389,176 | $392,145 | $519,714 | $546,852 | $546,852 | 5.22% |
| Commodities | 13,964 | 17,342 | 17,110 | 17,110 | 14,719 | -13.97% |
| Contractual Services | 281,613 | 172,255 | 160,787 | 139,261 | 113,761 | -29.25% |
| Capital Outlay | 1,400 | 36,072 | 4,500 | 9,500 | 4,500 | 0.00% |
| Other Charges | - | - | - | - | - | NA |
| Total Uses | $686,153 | $617,814 | $702,111 | $703,723 | $679,832 | -3.17% |
| Personnel FTE | 7 | 7 | 6.5 | 6.5 | 6.5 |
Significant Budget Issues
There are no significant budget issues to report.
History of Uses (in millions)

