Board of Commissioners

Boards, Commissions & Committees

An Opportunity to Get Involved

The Kent County Board of Commissioners annually seeks (beginning in August) residents interested in serving the community through appointment to its boards, commissions and committees. Interested residents may view all current vacancies and apply online for appointment. Applicants are able to include a cover letter and professional resume in .PDF file format. For more information, please contact the Board of Commissioners' office.

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List of Boards, Commissions & Committees

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 Agricultural Preservation 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 board meets once a month on the first Wednesday at 11:30 a.m. at the Kent County building at 300 Monroe Ave NW, Grand Rapids, MI 49503. Board members serve for three-year terms. For more information visit the Purchase Development Rights (PDR) page or contact Agricultural Preservation staff at (616) 632-7593.

  • Lisa Oliver-King - Commissioner
  • Russ Slater - Agricultural Interest Representative
  • Dennis Heffron - Agricultural Interest Representative
  • Jessica Marks - Agricultural Interest Representative
  • Carolyn Johnson - Conservation Representative
  • Suzie Reinbold - Real Estate / Development
  • Edward Robinette - Township Representative
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Area Agency on Aging of Western Michigan - Advisory Council

The Advisory Council is an advocacy group that focuses on legislative issues of importance to older adults. One member must be age 60 or older. The Council meets the first Monday of the month at 1:00 p.m. For meeting locations and specific dates visit aaawm.org. Typically there is no meeting in January or August.

  • Monica Sparks - Commissioner
  • Bob Dunlap
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Area Agency on Aging of Western Michigan - Board of Directors

The Board of Directors makes policy decisions for the Area Agency on Aging of Western Michigan which is a non-profit planning, funding, and advocacy organization for older adult programs. There is one citizen member who must be 60 years old or older. 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.

  • Carol Hennessy - Commissioner
  • Nancy Nielsen
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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. CCAB meetings are open to the public and are generally held quarterly on Wednesday mornings at 8:00 AM in the 3rd Floor Conference Room in the Kent County Courthouse, 180 Ottawa Avenue NW. For more information, visit Community Corrections Advisory Board.

  • Carolyn Sutherby - Business Community
  • Mark Trusock - Circuit Court Judge
  • Ivan Diaz - Commissioner
  • Laura Joyce - Defense Attorney
  • Michael Distel - District Court Judge
  • Angela Morales - Media Representative
  • Tiffany Newman - Member
  • Kimberly Koster - Police Chief
  • Patricia Gardner - Probate Court Judge
  • Christine Witters - Probation Representative
  • Chris Becker - Prosecuting Attorney
  • Michelle Bryk - Service Provider
  • Lyndsie Cole - Sheriff's Designee
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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 & 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.

  • Lisa Oliver-King - Commissioner
  • Lindsey Thiel - Commissioner
  • Andy Johnston - At-Large Member
  • Angela Cunningham-Burrows - Community-based Organization
  • Amaad Hardy - Community-based Organization
  • Andrew Bossardet - Faith-based Organization
  • Mark Swan - Health Care Provider
  • Jayne Courts - Health Care Provider
  • Jenny Bush - Health Care Provider
  • Tracey Silas - Kent DHHS Representative
  • Ron Koehler - Kent ISD Representative
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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 persons with developmental disabilities.  The Board meets the first Monday of each month at 4:45 p.m. at network180 with the exception of holidays. All meetings are held at 3310 Eagle Park Drive NE. Currently meetings are a hybrid of virtual and in-person. 

  • Stan Stek - Commissioner
  • Melissa LaGrand - Commissioner (Filling unexpired term of Jim Talen)
  • Katie DeBoer (Filling unexpired term of Stan Ponstein)
  • John Matias
  • Shellie Cole-Mickens
  • Thomas Dooley
  • Larry Oberst
  • Joe Stone
  • Emily Helder
  • Donna Brown
  • Caroline Dellenbusch
  • Jon Campbell
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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 second Wednesday of the month at 8:30 a.m. in the County Administration Building, 300 Monroe Avenue NW. There are five citizen members.

  • Robert Myers
  • Mike Jaskula
  • Sean Fitzgerald
  • Dennis Mosson
  • Colin Schiefler
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Department of Health & Human Services Board

The Department of Health & Human Services Board and the Department of Health & Human Services (DHHS) 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 DHHS 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 Health & Human Services, 121 Martin Luther King Jr. St SE Suite #200. Contact the Department of Health & Human Services at (616) 248-1000 for specific dates.

  • Jerry Kooiman
  • Bruce McCoy
  • Betty Zylstra
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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. The Fire Commission Board meets the 3rd Fridays of January, April, September, and 2nd Friday of December rotating between member department locations.

  • Tom Antor - Commissioner
  • Walter Bujak - Commissioner
  • Carlton Blough
  • Jacqueline Smith
  • James Morris
  • Julius Suchy
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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 for duty purposes, rather still within international commerce. The U.S. Foreign Trade Zone Board was created with the sole purpose of allowing qualifying businesses to apply for and obtaining the federal pre-approved privileges of establishing, operating, and maintaining a foreign trade zone project in Kent, Muskegon, and Ottawa Counties. This board consists of representatives from the three counties, as well as Grand Valley State University, and meets on a quarterly basis. The meeting dates and place is determined at the end of each calendar year. There are two citizen members for Kent County.

  • Al Vanderberg
  • JJ McGrath
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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 odd numbered month (excluding holidays) at noon in Room 311 of the County Administration Building, 300 Monroe Avenue NW. The committee is comprised of a custodial parent, a non-custodial parent, a family law attorney, a mental health professional who provides family counseling, and two members of the general public, the Sheriff or designee, Prosecuting Attorney or designee, and the director of the Department of Health and Human Services or designee. More information can be found at Friend of the Court.

  • Jeffrey Arnson - Attorney who engages primarily in Family Law
  • Elizabeth Heaton - Custodial Parent
  • Amy Wright - DHHS Designee
  • Felicia Clay - Mental Health Professional
  • James Sikkes - Non-Custodial Parent
  • Michelle Smith-Lowe - Prosecuting Attorney Designee
  • Dave Bulkowski - General Public Representative
  • Malique Grear - General Public Representative
  • Chuck DeWitt - Undersheriff

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Gerald R. Ford International Airport (GRFIA) Authority

The principal responsibility of the Gerald R. Ford International Airport (GRFIA) Authority 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 meets once a month in the International Room at the Gerald R. Ford International Airport, 5550 - 44th Street SE. For specific meeting dates and times, visit Gerald R. Ford International Airport. The Board consists of seven members. No more than three members may be elected officials, and at least one shall be an individual living outside Kent County (Allegan, Barry, Ionia, Mecosta, Montcalm, Muskegon, or Ottawa) and shall represent private sector businesses.

  • Dan Burrill - Commissioner
  • Emily Brieve - Commissioner
  • Dan Koorndyk
  • Birgit Klohs
  • Michael Verhulst
  • Doug Small
  • Peter Beukema

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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, as amended. 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 Van Andel Arena. For meeting dates and times, visit Grand Rapids-Kent County Convention / Arena Authority. There are two citizen members - including one from the private sector, having experience in economic development.

  • Mandy Bolter
  • Richard Winn
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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 bimonthly at 8:30 a.m. on the third Thursday of each month at the Housing Commission Office located at 121 Franklin St SE, Ste. 110. There are five members:

  • Joshua Lunger
  • Jason Grinnell
  • Heather Grit
  • Courtney Panter
  • James Peacock III
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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 Clerk selects the names of prospective jurors from current driver’s licenses and state identification cards. They meet annually in May in the Jury Assembly Room in the Kent County Courthouse, 180 Ottawa Avenue NW. Call (616) 632-5045 for specific meeting times, or check the event calendar at www.accesskent.com.

  • Kenyatta Brame
  • Anthony Torres
  • Jacqueline Smith
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Kent County Community Action Advisory Governing Board

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

  • Kim Moore - Consumer Sector
  • Catherine Aldridge - Consumer Sector
  • Hattie Patterson - Consumer Sector
  • Reyna Quintino - Consumer Sector
  • Kendrick Heinlein - Consumer Sector
  • Tricia VanderHaar - Private Sector
  • Jean Ramos - Private Sector
  • Dan VanderMolen - Private Sector
  • Christina Swiney - Private Sector
  • Wende Randall - Private Sector
  • Jessica White-Hatinger - Public Sector
  • Samarhia Giffel - Public Sector
  • Krashawn Martin - Public Sector
  • James Geisen - Public Sector
  • Christopher Smith - Public Sector
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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 six times per year. For more information, visit KCFCCC.

  • Jacob Maas - ACSET Director
  • Adam London - Administrative Health Officer
  • Mandy DeWilde - Advocate / Consumer
  • Candace Cowling - Advocate / Consumer
  • Tara Aday - Advocate / Consumer
  • Carissa Judy - Advocate / Consumer
  • Kendrick Heinlein - Area Agency on Aging Director
  • Jason Loepp - Business Representative
  • Tracey Silas - DHHS Director - Children's Services
  • James Geisen - DHHS Director - Public Welfare
  • Leadriane Roby - GRPS Superintendent
  • Ron Koehler - KISD Superintendent
  • Scott Smith - KISD Superintendent At-Large
  • Bill Ward - Network180 Executive Director
  • Maureen Kirkwood - Private Agency Rep
  • Kristin Gietzen - Private Agency Rep
  • Mary Muliett - Private Agency Rep
  • Bryana Hopkins - Private Funding Rep
  • Joas Occes - Private Funding Rep
  • Trudy Ngo-Brown - Private Funding Rep
  • Michelle Van Dyke - Private Funding Rep
  • Tracie Coffman - Private Funding Rep
  • Madelyn Hall - Private Funding Rep
  • Deborah McNabb - Judge
  • Chris Becker - Prosecutor
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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, Cedar Springs and Sparta) which have approved the District Library Agreement. The Board meets once a month at the KDL Service and Meeting Center, 814 West River Center, Comstock Park, as well as at participating libraries. For more information on meeting times and locations visit kdl.org.

  • Tracy Chrenka - Region 1
  • Andrew Erlewein - Region 2
  • Sarah Weller - Region 3
  • Nicole Lintemuth - Region 4
  • Carla Hotz - Region 5
  • Shirley Bruursema - Region 6
  • Peter Dykhuis - Region 7
  • Sheri Gilreath-Watts - Region 8
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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, being 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, Michigan 49503, which meetings 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 the County of Kent.

  • Hattie Patterson
  • Joe Gavan
  • Jeff Dood
  • Gregory Sanial
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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 the planning, funding, and implementation of the comprehensive regional network. The Oversight Policy Board meets four times per year on the first Wednesday of the month at 4:00 PM at various locations throughout the region.

  • Stan Ponstein - Commissioner
  • Shellie Cole-Mickens
  • Bethany Fisk
  • Patrick Sweeney
  • Sarah Sobel
  • Julie Sanford
  • Martha Burkett
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Materials Management Planning Committee

The Kent County Materials Management Planning Committee was 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 (DPA) responsible for developing the Materials Management Plan (MMP) for Kent County. The MMP guides the management of materials, with an emphasis on increasing sustainable practices, such as recycling and composting, in addition to ensuring safe disposal options for solid waste generated in the county. Initial appointments to the Committee are for five years and after the initial 5 years there should be a period of staggered appointment terms (2, 3, 4, 5 year terms).

Materials Management Planning Committee Duties: Direct the DPW in the preparation of the MMP; Reviews and approves the planning process; Identifies relevant local priorities and policies; Ensures coordination in the preparation of the MPP; Advises county and municipalities, Ensures that the DPW is fulfilling all the requirements and rules for plan content and public participation; Approves the MMP prior to public comment; Provides the final level of approval before it is presented to the Kent County Board of Commissioners for approval.

The Committee shall consist of: one materials recovery facility operator; one compost or anaerobic digestor facility operator; one waste diversion, reuse, or reduction facility operator; one environmental interest group; one elected official for each: County; Township; and City or Village; one solid waste disposal facility operator; one managed materials hauler; one Individual that generates a managed material; one regional planning agency representative; an adjacent community business representative.

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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.

  • Jon Nunn
  • Callie Baser
  • Joe Gavan
  • Alisa Cardenas
  • Amy Freeburg
  • Holly Zandstra
  • Tom TerMaat
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Pension Board

The Pension Board is charged with fiduciary responsibility for the assets of the Kent County Employees Retirement System including but not limited to the hiring and monitoring of professionals such as investment managers, attorneys, consultants and accountants. The Board consists of two citizen members, three County employees, and two County Commissioners. The Pension Board meets at 8:15 a.m. on the third Wednesday of February, April, May, August, October, and November in the County Administration Building, 300 Monroe Avenue NW.

  • Stan Ponstein - Commissioner
  • Lindsey Thiel - Commissioner (BC)
  • Adam Waskelis - Employee Member
  • Scott Lee - Employee Member
  • Matt Woolford - Employee Member
  • James Laramy
  • Steve Beukema
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Public Works Board

The Kent County Department of Public Works and Board of Public Works were created by the Kent County Board of Commissioners, as authorized by Public Act 185. The Department of Public Works is considered an agency of the County under the general control of the Kent County Board of Commissioners and under the immediate control of the Board of Public Works. The Kent County Board of Commissioners appoints the 7 member Board of Public Works members, made up of 5 elected County Commissioners, the elected Drain Commissioner and a Road Commissioner. For more information, visit Board of Public Works.

  • Kris Pachla (Filling unexpired term of Dave Bulkowski)
  • Michelle McCloud
  • Dan Burrill
  • Emily Brieve
  • Ben Greene
  • Ken Yonker
  • Cynthia Janes
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Remonumentation Peer Review Group

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

  • Dan Pratt
  • Ken Vierzen
  • Randall Jonker
  • Paul Schutter
  • Daniel Elzinga
  • Jim Leitch
  • Bill Byl
  • Cindy Koster

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Road Commission Board

The Board of the County Road Commissioners is a five person board responsible for, along with the Managing Director, 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, 1900 4 Mile Road NW, Walker, MI. Visit www.kentcountyroads.net for specific dates and times.

  • Roger Morgan
  • Dave Medema
  • Rob VerHeulen
  • David Morren
  • Cynthia Janes
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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 the Veterans Services page.

  • Mary Johnson
  • Mike Blundell
  • Phil Yeiter
  • Melvin Bauman
  • Reginald Howard
  • Christopher Kamps
  • Jill Wolfe
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