Official Site of the City of Grand Rapids, Michigan
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Community Budget Gatherings are Underway
Well over 100 people attended the first of six Community Budget Gatherings held Monday evening at City High School. Attendees learned about the $27.4 million budget deficit the City is projecting for FY2011, the actions taken to date, and the need to transform into a new form of government service provider. Small groups then discussed how they could make the new City platform work for them and what applications they might design for what matters most to them. They also gave suggestions for increasing revenues and decreasing spending. The unedited results of those discussions are provided here. Additional meetings will be held through December 2. For times and dates, see the meeting notices. …more>>
Community Budget Meeting Tonight
The next Community Budget Meeting will be tonight, Thursday, November 19, 2009. It will be held at 6pm at the Cesar E. Chavez Elementary School (1205 Grandville SW). No RSVP is required, light refreshments will be served.…more>>
Financial Update & Service Delivery Transformation
We are passing through some of the darkest days in our State's and City's history. Our fates are intertwined because City government is a legal entity of State government. Michigan never recovered from the national recession of 2002, and its decline has significantly affected the finances of the City of Grand Rapids. Unfortunately, the State's decline appears to be accelerating. State Sales Tax revenues are down 19%. State Income Tax revenues are down 22%. Michigan Business Tax revenues are down 37%. Our State is in a downward spiral, and our State government has been unable to address this economic meltdown and become a sustainable public service provider.…more>>
Save Your Ash!
The emerald ash borer is moving into West Michigan, but a growing number of area residents are fighting back by treating their ash trees to prevent the invasive insect from destroying valuable trees. Property owners now have the opportunity to head off the borer, thanks to insecticide products that are providing effective and affordable protection from the beetle. However, local tree experts warn that for best results ash trees in the Grand Rapids area should be treated this fall or next spring, before the insect has damaged trees to the point that they can't be saved. Property owners can elect to treat their own trees with products available from home and garden centers or to have the treatment done by a tree service. …more>>
City Manager Names Cabinet
City Manager Gregory Sundstrom is pleased to announce nine City Staff to key appointments within his cabinet. Those serving on the City Manager's cabinet are his closest staff advisors. They meet weekly and provide counsel, support, and perspective on issues relevant to the operation of the City. These responsibilities are in addition to the current work performed by these individuals. Each appointee has accepted the staff advisory role and pledges to utilize their vast knowledge, dedication, and diverse experience to assist the City Manager lead this organization to a sustainable future. "...I look to them for the unique perspective each brings to the table," said Sundstrom.…more>>
Fiscal Plan Available Online
The City of Grand Rapids' FY2010 Fiscal Plan is now available online by clicking here. …more>>
Open for Business
Whether you're a sole proprietor, small business owner, or CEO of a corporation, you'll find that Grand Rapids is a great place to do business. Business opportunities abound for every size and type of company: incubator space for startups, centers for cutting-edge science and technology development, and industrial sites for manufacturing--all in proximity to award-winning colleges, universities and a trained workforce. The Grand Rapids Economic Development Department is standing by to help you grow your business or bring your business to Grand Rapids by working alongside you and local and state agencies to get you what you need to do business here. …more>>
Assistant to the City Manager Named
City Manager Greg Sundstrom has appointed Mr. Tom Almonte as Assistant to the City Manager, effective October 13, 2009. Mr. Almonte has worked for the City of Grand Rapids since 2004, most recently as a Business Developer in the Economic Development and Equal Opportunity Departments. He has a rich background in community involvement and is a former president of the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce. He worked diligently on the City's Spanish-Speaking Customer Service Process Improvement Team, concentrating on the areas of translation, signage in City Hall, and technology. "I am very pleased with Tom's contributions to our organization and look forward to his continued commitment," said Sundstrom. …more>>
Passport Photo Service at the City Clerk's Office
The City Clerk's Office is a certified acceptance agent for passports. Our friendly staff is excited to provide One Stop Shop Services for Passport Applications, Passport Cards, and Passport Photos. The U.S. passport is a valuable document, and members of the Clerk's Office staff are fully trained to process the application in accordance to the U.S. Department of State regulations. Providing the Passport Photo service is a relatively new addition to the list of services available in the Clerk's Office.…more>>
Planning For Our Future
The budget planning process for the City's next fiscal year will be unlike any in Grand Rapids' history. The general operating fund deficit we are facing is nearing $21 million. In order to meet this difficult challenge, no City department will likely be left unaffected. We know what is important to our citizens from budget meetings we've held previously, and soon we will engage you in community discussions to help shape the City organization around the deficit . This year, we will present the City's financial picture, and will ask our residents to identify the services they can live without. The City's transformation will not be easy. Use these links to read about the City's current financial state.…more>>
Pay by Cell Phone in Grand Rapids
Parkmobile North America announced today a revolutionary new service that will allow residents and visitors in Grand Rapids to use their mobile phone to pay for metered parking. "Grand Rapids continues to pursue innovative alternatives that optimize technology to enhance parking options," said Pam Ritsema, Director of Parking for the City of Grand Rapids. "Parkmobile clearly fits that goal with this product. It will make parking at meters even more convenient." With the launch of Parkmobile, residents and visitors in Grand Rapids are now able to start and stop their parking transaction by mobile phone. Go live date is November 2, 2009.…more>>
Neighbor to Neighbor Fund
The Neighbor to Neighbor Fund NEEDS YOU to help your fellow citizens in their time of need. At Mayor Heartwell's sixth State of the City Address he announced the launch of the new Neighbor to Neighbor Fund, a partnership with the Grand Rapids Community Foundation. The Fund received its initial funding at the State of the City Address from attendee donations, the modest surplus in sponsorship funds from the address, and a personal contribution from Mayor Heartwell and his wife Susan. The start-up funding totaled roughly $6,000. 100% of all contributions from the Neighbor to Neighbor Fund will go directly to our local citizens in need. …more>>
City's New Fiscal Year
The City's new fiscal year begins July 1, 2009. The Grand Rapids City Commission voted to adopt the City Manager's proposed fiscal plan on June 23, 2009. Following is a collection of links to information that outlined the process and documents which shaped the budget for this new fiscal year.…more>>
GR Tests 'Green' Trash Can Liners
The City of Grand Rapids is among the first municipalities in the United States to begin using a new trash can liner made with 70 percent post-consumer recycled (PCR) material. The PCR content in the Greencore Can Liners far exceeds plastics industry goals, reducing the carbon footprint by as much as 40 percent. …more>>
Online Property Tax Estimator
Want to estimate what your Real Property Taxes will be when you receive your Notice of Assessment? Or perhaps you are looking to buy a piece of property and want to estimate what your Real Property Taxes will be or your mortgage escrow? Well now you can by using the Treasurer's Office Online Property Tax Estimator. …more>>
Trouble Paying your Mortgage? Free Help available
Beginning July 5, 2009, Michigan Law requires all lenders to work with you to avoid foreclosure. For more information, click here.…more>>
The Community Budget Meeting Results are In
Three Community Budget Gatherings were held throughout the city on March 4 at City High School, on March 9 at Union High School, and on March 12 at Ottawa Hills High School to gather direct input from citizens to assist in preparation of the City's Fiscal Year 2010 budget. Over 180 people took part and the results are posted here for your review. …more>>