Board of Commissioners

Kent County Mission Statement

Through responsible budgeting and thoughtful planning, Kent County government is committed to providing resources and services that promote a high quality of life for the entire community.

The Kent County Board of Commissioners is the chief legislative and policy-making body of Kent County Government.

Commissioners are elected to 2-year terms from districts that are roughly equal in population. A chair and vice-chair are elected at the first meeting of each new year by the Commissioners. The chair appoints each Commissioner to one of two standing committees: the Finance and Physical Resources Committee or the Legislative and Human Resources Committee.

2024 Chairs and Vice-Chairs

Duties

The Commissioners' duties include:

  • Approving a mission statement for the County.
  • Adopting the Annual County Budget. This includes approving the annual budgets of other, independently elected, County officials: the County Clerk, the Drain Commissioner, Judges of the 17th Circuit Court and 63rd District Court, the Prosecutor, and the Treasurer.
  • Raising the money to fund the County's operations by levying property taxes, setting fees, selling bonds or borrowing.
  • Appointing County residents to serve on various County boards, commissions and committees, which provide oversight for significant County services. These include the Gerald R. Ford International Airport Authority Board, the Community Health Advisory Committee, the Community Mental Health Authority Board (Network180), the Road Commission, and the Veterans Services Committee.
  • Selecting a County Administrator/Controller to supervise the day-to-day operations of County departments.
  • Determining the sites of County buildings, and purchasing or disposing of County-owned property and facilities.
  • Representing the County, and managing its property and business by adopting rules, regulations, ordinances and policies.

Board of Commissioners' Standing Rules

Board Meetings

Regular, public meetings of the Board of Commissioners are typically scheduled at 8:30 a.m. on the second and fourth Thursday of each month in the Board of Commissioners' Room (Room 310) on the third floor of the County Administration Building.

Public Comment

The Board welcomes area residents to express their ideas or concerns about issues affecting Kent County Government during the meeting agenda called "Public Comment." During the first public comment period, comment will be restricted to items appearing on that meeting’s agenda. During the second public comment period, comment will be allowed on any topic germane to County Government. Speakers are requested to state their name and address, with individual comments being limited to the time limits established by the Board Chair, usually three minutes. When a group wishes to address the Board, the Chair may offer a spokesperson for that group be allowed additional time.

Standing Committees

Items that appear on the Board of Commissioners' agenda usually are first considered by one of two standing committees. Finance Committee meeting minutes and Legislative Committee meeting minutes are reviewed and approved by each respective committee.

Standing Committees Agendas & Minutes

Finance and Physical Resources Committee

The Finance and Physical Resources Committeeis scheduled to meet at 8:30 a.m. on the first and third Tuesday of each month in the Board of Commissioners' Room (Room 310) on the third floor of the County Administration Building.
View Meeting Calendar »

The Finance and Physical Resources Committee's duties include:

  • Reviewing the County's operating and capital budgets, and department performance measures.
  • Approving the County's annual financial statement.
  • Has supervision over the maintenance and operation of all buildings or portions belonging to or leased by the County.
  • Supervising the County Administrator in carrying out County policies.

Legislative and Human Resources Committee

The Legislative and Human Resources Committee is scheduled to meet at 8:30 a.m. on the fourth Tuesday of each month in the Board of Commissioners' Room on the third floor of the County Administration Building.

The Legislative and Human Resources Committee's duties include:

  • Determining salaries for County officials whose pay is not fixed by law.
  • Examining matters of public safety and law enforcement.
  • Planning the County's formal legislative program.
  • Serve as a nominating committee for the boards, commissions, and committee appointments and recommend candidates for appointment.
  • Reviewing County department's performance measures.

Each standing committee welcomes residents to address concerns or issues involving County government during the beginning of the meeting agenda called "Public Comment." Speakers are requested to state their names and addresses, with individual comments being limited to the time limits established by the Board Chair, usually three minutes. When a group wishes to address the Board, the Chair may offer a spokesperson for that group be allowed additional time.

View Meeting Calendar »

Accessibility

The County of Kent complies with the Open Meetings Act and the Americans with Disabilities Act. Language and sign interpreter services are available for free for individuals attending a meeting of the Board of Commissioners, Finance and Physical Resources and/or Legislative and Human Resources Committee. If interpreter services are needed, please contact KentCountyAdministrator@kentcountymi.gov at least three (3) business days prior to the scheduled meeting. While every effort will be made to accommodate the request, the ability to do so depends on several variables outside the control of the County Administration Office.