Grand Rapids Fiscal Committee Meeting

The Grand Rapids Fiscal Committee convened at 8:30 a.m. on September 22, 2026, to act on intergovernmental agreements, grant awards, contracted services, budget substitutions, and monthly financial reports. All action items were approved without recorded dissent.

Consent Calendar

• Burn (Byrne) Memorial Just Assistance Grant (JAG) — $198,363 (FY2026): Approved a memorandum of understanding with Kent County for the Justice Assistance Grant. Ms. Bohatch, appearing on behalf of Mr. Tucker, described it as an annual joint application with Kent County; the city uses its share for neighborhood-based crime prevention programs through the neighborhood investment plan. Funds will be allocated through that plan beginning January 2027. The city retains the allowable 10% administrative fee.

• MLK Community Center Placemaking — $100,000: Approved an agreement with Muse GR LLC (rendered “BUTR LLC” in the transcript) for design, curatorial, and project management services. Parks representative Laura Claypool said placemaking was identified during facility planning as key to honoring the Center’s legacy and the neighborhood’s cultural vibrancy. The contractor will manage the full public art process, including a curated art plan, community outreach, an artist call, and fabrication/installation, consistent with the city’s public art and placemaking policy. The artist call goes out fall 2026; installation is targeted for summer 2027. One commissioner offered “a tiny bit of feedback” on timing, noting the volume of concurrent artist calls.

• T2C and Challenge Scholars Grant — $300,000 (renewal): Approved acceptance of a Grand Rapids Community Foundation grant. Shannon Harris, executive director of Our Community’s Children, said the funds provide postsecondary advising delivered from the T2C studio (third floor of the Grand Rapids Public Library) to Union High School students in the classes of 2027 and 2028. Challenge Scholars receive foundation funding directly to support degree attainment. A commissioner praised the program and its public library location.

• Health Insurance Administration Contracts — up to $6,539,250 over three years: Approved contracts for medical administration (Priority Health), prescription drug administration (RxVision), vision administration (Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan), and dental administration (Delta Dental). Benefits Manager Michael Spon said the city completed a robust RFP process and selected the current administrators for the best overall value.

• Bid List — September 22, 2026: Approved without comment; staff said nothing on the list was unusual.

Discussion Items

• Mel Trotter Ministries Personal Belonging Storage — $150,000: Approved a continued agreement for the program piloted in 2021. Ms. Bohatch reported that more than 2,000 individuals have stored personal belongings safely, and the program also supports downtown cleanliness. With ARPA funds exhausted, the FY27 budget provides $100,000 from the refuse fund; the total program cost is $175,000, and Mel Trotter is considering adjusting its hours. A commissioner thanked Mel Trotter for coming to the table, noting its C-suite initially did not prioritize the request.

• Leonard to Ann Trail Budget Substitution — $400,047: Approved a substitution within the capital improvement fund to align city match funding with the Michigan Natural Resources Trust Fund grant, which reimburses 25% of eligible construction costs. Ms. Claypool said the segment is a three-quarter-mile connection closing the gap from downtown Grand Rapids to Riverside Park and ultimately the White Pine Trail. She described the substitution as a cleanup item to allow the work to be completed this fiscal year.

• Market Avenue Sewer Abandonment — $770,000: Approved a substitution from the sewer IIP funds to abandon the sewer relocated for the amphitheater project. Work includes installing bulkheads, removing sludge, and placing flowable fill to secure the section adjacent to I-131. Discussion addressed timing relative to Michigan Department of Transportation work. A commissioner expressed support for the project and joked, “You heard it here first, people.”

• FY2027 Budget Ordinance Amendment — Amendment No. 3: Approved a variety of grant appropriations and reallocations, including lead hazard control, the Michigan Indigent Defense Fund, drug sobriety court, remaining Scribner Avenue work, and $11.3 million for the fire training center. The city’s contingent balance remains unchanged at $1.5 million.

Reports

• Comptroller’s Warrant Report: Received and filed for August 25 – September 7, 2026, totaling $23,778,750.89.

• Treasurer’s Report (August 26 – September 8, 2026): Received and filed. The Federal Reserve raised its target rate by 0.25 percentage points to 3.75%–4.0% in a unanimous 12–0 vote. The treasurer said additional rate increases are possible, with 16 of 18 FOMC participants projecting a 4.125%–4.375% federal funds rate. Gasoline prices were noted at $4.74–$4.80 per gallon. The city is analyzing roughly $35 million in securities; selling three positions at a $120,000 loss would generate an estimated additional $750,000 in annual revenue. The investment program prioritizes safety, liquidity, and yield.

Key Outcomes

• All resolutions, the ordinance amendment, and the bid list were approved without recorded opposition.
• No public comments were made during the meeting.
• The comptroller’s warrant report and treasurer’s report were received and filed.
• The meeting adjourned immediately following the treasurer’s report.