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Some key happenings the past month include:

• The County Administrator reported there will be a substantial reduction in revenue sharing funds received from the State—approximately $4.5 million less than previous years.
• Our county received the highest credit rating for county governments again—a AAA rating. Kent is only one of 48 counties throughout the United States with this high of a rating. This means substantial savings to the tax payers in terms of interest paid for capital projects.
• The County Commission approved the Standing Rules Committee recommendations for changes to the way sub-committee and special task force reports are presented for action. The Commission also established an additional standing committee of the Board—an Executive Committee. This Committee will hold scheduled open meetings and will provide guidance to the Chair.
• The Gerald Ford airport continues to experience growth in air passenger traffic. This is partly a result of more airlines using Gerald Ford airport as loading points for southern flights.
• I will be meeting with the Kentwood Economic Committee to explore possibility of creating a Tax Deferred designation for some commercial development either along Division Avenue or 52nd street corridor. This is an effort to help create local jobs and increase commercial activity.
• I attended the annual meeting of the Area Agency on Aging and heard Lt. Governor Calley describe our state’s dire financial condition, and the drastic measures needing to be taken by the legislature and governor regarding tax policies and spending cuts.