The Grand Rapids City Manager has proposed a $690 million spending plan for the upcoming fiscal year, representing a 7.1% increase over the current budget. The proposed budget focuses on enhancing customer service and addressing important issues related to safety, health, mobility, and community engagement.
To improve emergency response times, the budget proposes hiring four new 911 operators and 10 new firefighters. The city has experienced challenges with long wait times for 911 calls and is aiming to keep response times below three minutes. The 10 new firefighters will staff the new Kendall Street Fire Station, which is expected to open in 2025 and serve the Third Ward.
The budget also includes two new customer service representatives for the city’s 311 non-emergency line, with the goal of reducing wait times to under three minutes. In addition, the budget maintains two records unit positions added during the current budget to improve response times to Freedom of Information Act requests. Other new positions include a social worker/victim services coordinator for the police department, an additional garbage truck driver, and an additional cemetery groundskeeper.
The budget recognizes the importance of equitable outcomes and includes $63.5 million in investments aimed at addressing disparities. Some examples of these investments include $1 million to the Third Ward Equity Fund, $380,000 to eviction prevention and reducing homelessness, and $1 million for private lead service line replacements in Neighborhoods of Focus.
For public safety, the budget maintains the police department’s budgeted staffing at 304 sworn officers and provides a $64.8 million allocation from the general fund. The department has made progress in filling vacant positions and plans to sponsor three recruit classes in the upcoming fiscal year. The fire department will grow to 220 sworn fire positions with the addition of 10 firefighters for the Kendall Street Fire Station. The budget also includes funding for a new Division Avenue Fire Station and a Fire Training Center.
Overall, the proposed budget aims to provide strategic and data-driven resources to benefit all residents of Grand Rapids. By investing in customer service, public safety, and equitable outcomes, the city seeks to enhance its livability and ensure a strong future for all.
