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 tax owner and authorizing 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/Departments/BOC/PDR or contact Kent/MSU Extension at (616) 632-7865.

Community Action Agency Advisory Governing Board

The Community Action Agency Advisory Committee is a tripartite board with representation from the public, private and consumer sectors equally. Most importantly, the Committee oversees the provision of services to persons with low incomes in Kent County to assist in the alleviation of poverty. The Committee members are charged with providing recommendations regarding organizational, fiscal, and program policies. Committee members are also responsible for accepting the annual, programmatic and fiscal reports throughout the year. The Advisory Committee meets every other month at Noon on the third Wednesday of the month starting in January.

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 Kent County Courthouse, 180 Ottawa Avenue NW (meeting day subject to change).

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 at large, 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 Health and Human Services. 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. The Committee meets five times per year.

Community Mental Health Authority Board (network180)

The Community Mental Health Authority Board (Network180) 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 developmentally disabled persons. The Board meets the first Monday of each month at 5:15 p.m. at Network180 with the exception of holidays. All meetings are held at 790 Fuller Avenue NE apart from the annual public hearing in April, which is held at 2500 S. Division Avenue. There are eight citizen members.

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 County 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.

Experience Grand Rapids Board of Directors

Appointed by the Chair of the Board of Commissioners. One year term.

Fire Commission

In order to be considered for this appointment you must be a local elected official from a unit of government that participates in the financing and support of fire departments. Meetings are held on the second Friday of the month at 8:30 a.m. at the office of the Road Commission (1500 Scribner) unless otherwise posted.

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 two citizen members.

Friend of the Court Citizens' Advisory Committee

The Friend of the Court Citizens Advisory Committee advises the Circuit Court and the Kent County Board of Commissioners regarding the Office of the Friend of the Court, its duties and performance, and needs of the community 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 odd numbered month (excluding holidays) at noon in the County Administration Building, 300 Monroe Avenue NW. There are six citizen members: a representative of custodial parents, a representative of non-custodial parents, a family law attorney, a mental health professional, and two members of the general public. More information can be found at www.accesskent.com/Courts/FOC/advisory.htm.

Gerald R. Ford International Airport (GRFIA) Authority Board

The principal responsibility of the Executive Director, the Aeronautics Department, and the Gerald R. Ford International Airport (GRFIA) Authority 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 GRFIA Authority Board meets at 8:30 a.m. on the last Wednesday of the month in the Airport Board Room, 5550 44th Street SE. There are four citizen members. Three shall be Kent County residents, and one shall be an individual living outside Kent County (Allegan, Barry, Ionia, Mecosta, Montcalm, Muskegon, or Ottawa) and shall represent private sector businesses.

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 Public Act 203 of 1999, MCL 141.1401, as amended. By taking such action, Kent 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 Van Andel Arena. The Authority meets the first Friday of each month (except March, July, and September) at 8:30 a.m. in Room 310 of the County Administration Building, 300 Monroe Avenue NW. There are two citizen members, including one from the private sector, having experience in economic development.

Housing Commission

The Housing Commission obtains Federal Housing and Urban Development (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.

Kent County Family & Children's Coordinating Council

The Kent County Family & Childrens Coordinating 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 six times per year at noon in the County Administration Building, 300 Monroe Avenue NW . For more information, go to www.accesskent.com/Community/KCFCCC.

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 27 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.

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 nonprofit hospitals and nonprofit health care providers with the ability to finance, refinance, and refund indebtedness related to hospital facilities, all in accordance with the Michigan Hospital Finance Authority Act, MCL 331.31 et seq. The Authority meets annually and at such additional times as required by any such hospital or health care provider. Meetings are held at the offices of Rhoades McKee, 55 Campau Avenue NW, Suite 300, Grand Rapids and are open to the public. There are eight citizen members of the Authority, four of whom are appointed by the City of Grand Rapids and four of whom are appointed by Kent County Board of Commissioners.

Lakeshore Regional Partners Substance Abuse Oversight Policy Board

The Lakeshore Regional Partners Substance Abuse Oversight Policy Board shall provide advice and consultation to the Board of Directors of the Lakeshore Regional Entity in order that it may carry out its responsibilities as outlined in the Mental Health Code, assuring the development and maintenance of a comprehensive regional network of effective substance abuse prevention and substance use disorder treatment and recovery support services. The advice and consultation shall concentrate on matters relating to the planning, funding, and implementation of the comprehensive regional network. The Oversight Policy Board shall meet four times per year, but not less than two times per year.

Land Bank Authority

5 Members. 4 appointed by the Board of Commissioners. County Treasurer (by virtue of office), one County Commissioner, one City of Grand Rapids Commissioner, one township elected official, one city elected official (other than the City of Grand Rapids). Two-year term.

Millennium Park Architectural Advisory Review Board

The 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 Park development. Membership includes one representative from the Design Community, three representatives from the Business Community, and three Kent County Commissioners. The Board meets on an as-needed basis in the County Administration Building, 300 Monroe Avenue NW.

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.

Remonumentation Peer Review Group

Remonumentation Peer Review Group members review corners present before Kent County accepts them for filing. Peer Review Group members will also be called upon to update the County Remonumentation Plan as required by the amended Public Act 345 of 1990. Members must be Professional Surveyors. The Peer Review Group meets on an as-needed basis.

Road Commission Board

The Board of the County Road Commissioners is a five-member board (all citizens) which is responsible, along with the Managing Director, for overseeing the planning, design, construction and maintenance of the 1,958 mile network of County primary and local roads which includes 172 bridges. In addition, the Kent County Road Commission maintains 1,139 lane miles of interstate freeways and state highways under contract with the Michigan Department of Transportation. 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.

Solid Waste Management Planning Committee

The Kent County Solid Waste Management Planning Committee is established by Kent County under Part 115 of Public Act No. 451 of 1994 as amended. The Kent County Board of Commissioners appointed the Kent County Board of Public Works to serve as the designated planning agency. Appointments to the committee are for two years and may be reappointed for an additional two years. The committee provides advice, consultation and assistance to the designated planning agency for preparation of the solid waste management plan as needed. The committee shall consist of four representatives of the solid waste management industry, one representative from an industrial waste generator, two representatives from environmental interest groups from organizations active in the County, one representative from county government, one representative from township government, one representative from city government, one representative from the regional solid waste planning agency, and three representatives from the general public who reside within the county. The committee meets as needed to fulfill duties and responsibilities.

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VEBA Trust Board

Kent County allows retirees to participate in its medical insurance coverage at specified rates and it assumes the liability for any premium in excess of the employee payment. The VEBA Trust Board facilitates compliance with the pre-funding standards of Governmental Accounting Standards Board (GASB) which allows Kent County to invest trust funds in the same manner as pension funds thereby helping to mitigate its cost of providing post-retirement health care.

Veterans Services Committee

The Veterans Services Committee will ensure that County funded veterans assistance is provided appropriately and equitably. This committee is comprised of seven honorably discharged veterans who served active duty in the United States Armed Forces. At least one member must represent a congressionally chartered veterans organization and be recommended by the posts of each chartered organization with the County. Each member will be appointed to a four year term. Committee meetings are held once a month in the Veterans Services Office, 836 Fuller Avenue NE. For additional information visit www.accesskent.com/Departments/VeteransServices.