UNANIMOUS APPROVAL FOR AMPHITHEATER CLARIFICATION
On Tuesday night the Grand Rapids City Commission unanimously approved necessary tweaks to restore the original intent of the Acrisure Amphitheater noise exemption.
- The public comment was as expected (painful) – a lot of comments leaned into anti–free market sentiments, and the vilification of businesses continues to grow.
- A number of our Local Government Committee members and other business leaders took time to call, text and email elected officials. Thank you!
- There was also a paid opposition effort including text messages, social media, and a website.
- I am asking our members to send a short thank-you to the Commission.
The City Commission also discussed four positions funded through expiring grants or temporary funding and expressed a desire to permanently dedicate funds to pay for them.
- The positions (descriptions below) total $566K annually and are only funded through the end of the year.
- The General Fund, which only had $144K of net revenue in FY2027, is forecasted to have growing deficits and is the only certain source of funding.
- The Commission discussed pursuing grants or dedicating public safety trust fund dollars (from the state) for the equity admin position.
FY2027 Description of Positions and Programs
Office of Equity & Engagement: | Executive Office / Sustainability: Admin |
Administrative Services Officer I • Supports equity and capacity-building for minority- and women-owned businesses. • Supports work associated with major projects and partnerships, including Grand Rapids WhiteWater, DGRI and Engineering. • Administers Third Ward Equity Fund programs and supports equitable economic-development strategies. • FY27 General Fund cost $78k; approximately $156k annually. | Analyst I, Energy & Carbon Specialist • Provides dedicated capacity for data collection, analysis and support for energy savings and greenhouse gas reduction initiatives across City operations. • Manages accountability for the City’s renewable energy and greenhouse gas emission goals. • Administers the community-wide greenhouse gas emissions inventory for the CAAP • FY27 General Fund cost $63k; approximately $126k annually. |
Enhanced Communications Support | Our Community’s Children: Administrative |
• Contracted services through December • For continued service in FY27, General Fund cost $50k; annualized costs of $100k. | Services Officer I
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The draft Grand Rapids Parks & Recreation Strategic Master Plan has been released (warning: 186 pages).
- Comments can be sent to parkinfo@grcity.us or at the December 1 public hearing.
- If you have thoughts you’d like the Chamber to consider, please let me know!
The GRPS Board of Education announced two finalists, conducted interviews and hired Dr. Allison Tingwall as the next GRPS Superintendent.
- Dr. Tingwall currently serves as the Executive Director of Principal Quality for Chicago Public Schools.
- She will take leadership of the district in 2027-2028 and step into a position dealing with issues that include:
- Troubling student achievement – Michigan is lagging most of the country
- Disposal of school property
- Staff/leadership challenges
- Uncertain board politics – 15 candidates are vying for 5 spots
THE ELECTION IS FINALLY HER
The election is Tuesday and while a number of people have already voted, I want to flag three ballot proposalsthat have implications for West Michigan businesses and our communities.
- Proposal 1 – Constitutional Convention
- This one comes up automatically every 16 years and asks voters whether Michigan should hold a constitutional convention. If approved, 148 delegates would be elected to consider changes to the state Constitution.
- And we’re not talking about a few minor edits. Everything from property taxes and education funding to minimum wage and workplace regulations could be on the table.
- From the Chamber’s perspective, that’s a lot of uncertainty for businesses trying to plan, invest and grow. It’s a bit like opening Pandora’s box, and nobody really knows what might come out.
- Proposal 2 – Michigan Money Out of Politics
- This one is a little more complicated. It’s marketed as targeting utilities and restricting political contributions from businesses with government contracts.
- The concern for the business community is that these restrictions could extend beyond the companies themselves to owners, executives, employees and even family members.
- What isn’t well understood is this isn’t just about large corporations. Local businesses that contract with government could be affected, too. It also applies to subcontractors of organizations (non-profits are included) and businesses who receive $250K+ in state contracts/grants.
- It does nothing, however, to limit out of state interests which continue to spend millions in Michigan elections.
- Kent County Corrections and Detention Millage
- This is a renewal and increase of the millage that helps fund Kent County’s jail and corrections system.
- The additional funding would also help address aging facilities, growing medical and behavioral health needs, and programs aimed at reducing repeat offenses – all things that have an impact on public safety and our communities.
- The county’s centralized booking and detention system. Communities have relied on this partnership for decades, saving them the cost of operating their own facilities.
- And one last thing…
- We’ve got more information on all three proposals, along with key races and other election resources, in our 2026 General Election Center.
- And if you’re not interested in staying up until 2 a.m. watching election returns, let us do the work for you! Join us for a special post-election First Friday Update on November 6 at 10 a.m. We’ll break down the key races, ballot results and what it all means for our region.
This Week in Local Government is your insider update on what’s happening behind the scenes in the City of Grand Rapids. Explore the full archive: Local Government, or subscribe to receive it in your inbox every Friday by emailing josh@grandrapids.org