Department of Public Works
1500 Scribner NW
Grand Rapids, MI 49504
Phone: (616) 336-3694
Fax: (616) 336-3338
Mission Statement
The Kent County Board and Department of Public Works acquires, improves, enlarges, operates, and maintains water supply systems, sewage disposal systems, and refuse systems to promote and protect the health and welfare of its residents and the environment.
Household Waste Guide
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Overview
The Department of Public Works is an enterprise fund department established by the Board of Commissioners to provide solid waste management services and water and sewer system construction, inspection, and maintenance under contract with some local units of government. The department is divided into four divisions: Utility Services, Finance and Accounting, Waste-to-Energy and Solid Waste. In addition to general administration and budgetary oversight, the department also helps local municipalities to secure funding for water and sewer projects.
To accomplish the above services Department of Public Works is divided into two divisions. They are:
Strategic Goals
- Develop and implement a strategy for sustainable solid waste recovery, processing, and recycling services and systems
- Budget and operate without the use of Kent County General Fund support
- Participate in the economic development and planning efforts of the region
- Implement approved Solid Waste Management Plan goals and objectives that include expanded solid waste recovery prior to disposal in recycling services and systems
- Expand South Kent Landfi ll capacity with initial priority on ash monofi ll requirements
- Expand public and private customer service area for single stream recycling.
Operational Goals
- Ensure availability of long-term disposal services and transfer capacity for Kent County residents
- Accept and process increased curbside recycling tonnage at the Material Recovery Facility
- Accept all solid waste delivered and process solid waste for energy recovery or transfer in a cost effective, environmentally responsible and sustainable manner
- Provide reliable cost-effective sanitary and storm sewer operations and maintenance services for contracted communities and County departments
- Provide services to permit and inspect new sanitary sewer installations in accordances with MDEQ Act 98 permit requirements
2010 Adopted Uses: $42,473,811
2010 Adopted Revenues: $42,473,811
Selected Performance Measures
|
Uses |
2008 Actual |
2009 Actual |
2010 Actual |
2011 Expected |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Work plans completed | 9 | 7 | 6 | 6 |
| Electricity sold (Mwh) | 102,168 | 100,195 | 104,000 | 101,632 |
| Tons of solid waste landfilled | 190,545 | 182,602 | 251,107 | 200,000 |
| Tons Processed (Materials Recycling Facility) | 14,492 | 15,493 | 14,940 | 18,000 |
| Number of households’ served/year (HHW) | 2,053 | 2,361 | 2,761 | 2,500 |
| Tons of solid waste processed (Waste to Energy) | 187,135 | 186,290 | 188,000 | 187,000 |
| Linear feet of new sewer pipe and epoxy lining inspected | 46,998 | 24,726 | 3,200 | 1,000 |
| Net cost/ton processed (Material Recovery Facility) | $75.56 | $73,48 | $90.22 | $78.00 |
| Cost per pound collected (Household Hazardous Waste) | $1.32 | $1.12 | $1.12 | $1.50 |
| Cost per ton for processing - SKL | $19.35 | $18,94 | $4.81 | $19.00 |
| Cost per ton for processing - NKTS | $23.84 | $24.00 | $22.18 | $24.00 |
Department History of Uses
| Uses |
2008 Actual |
2009 Actual |
2010 Adopted |
2011 Adopted |
||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Personnel |
$ |
4,402,986 |
$ |
4,412,962 | $ |
5,181,120 |
$ |
5,167,670 |
Commodities |
156,877 |
145,923 |
177,525 |
182,300 |
||||
Contractual |
37,551,271 |
23,891,985 |
28,236,105 |
29,364,074 |
||||
Operating Capital |
522,487 |
646,120 |
881,508 |
922,600 |
||||
Other Expense |
5,181,457 |
2,209,982 |
7,997,553 |
2,469,155 |
||||
Total Uses |
$47,815,078 |
$31,306,972 |
$42,473,811 |
$38,105,799 |
||||
Personnel FTE |
71.5 |
70.5 |
61.8 |
66.4 |
||||
Significant Budget Issues
2011 personnel increased by 4.6 FTEs to allow for a potential reorganization of the department.
Significant Accomplishments
Completed construction and opened the Single Stream Residential Recycling and Education Center. In conjunction with this achievement, the Department entered into a contract with the City of Grand Rapids for the purchase of 40,000 recycle carts.
Designed and implemented an unwanted pharmaceutical program in collaboration with the cities of Grand Rapids and Wyoming, and the North Kent Sewer Authority (www.wmtakebackmeds.orga>).
The Department received the “2009 Community Partner of the Year Award” at the Landfill Methane outreach program sponsored by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the Silver Landfill Management Excellence Award from the Solid Waste Association of North America.
The Utility Services Division rebuilt a Courtland Township lift station and installed a grinder system at the 4-mile Road lift station.
The Waste-to-Energy Facility 20-year bonds were paid resulting in a $25 per ton decrease in the disposal fee.
Resource Recovery public education programs included the promotion of the new recycling website (www. recyclekent.org), production of an informational recycling video with Maranda, participated in Maranda’s Park Parties and had a booth at the West Michigan Home & Garden Show.
History of Uses (in millions)
