The Kent County Board of Commissioners unanimously adopted Resolution 84 on a roll-call vote to authorize financing for the Saddlebag Drain District Drainage District Bond Series 2025, described in the meeting as a roughly $3,000,000 project.

Commissioner McLeod moved the resolution, which was supported by Commissioner Womack and carried on a 21-0 roll call. The clerk announced “21 yeas, 0 nays.” The motion text at introduction was: “I move resolution 84 of today's date. Saddlebag drain district drain drainage district bond series 2025 coming to us from fiscal services.”

Drain Commission staff answered commissioners’ questions about project partners, assessments and timeline. Staff said the overall assessment in this project is about 62% from property owners within the district, with roughly 20% assigned to municipalities (split between the City of Kentwood and Grand Rapids Township based on acreage). Municipalities may pay assessments upfront or participate in the bond in the same way property owners can, staff said. Notices are sent to municipal clerks as required by law.

On scope, Drain Commission staff described the work as a maintenance project that connects two previously separate drains: the Saddlebag Drain, which starts near Meijer Gardens and runs under Cascade Road, and the Gillette Drain, which continues toward the City of Kentwood. Staff described a zone where no formal drain authority previously maintained the stream; the county called that “no man's land,” saying sanitary-sewer placement and shifting sand had led to erosion and repeated sedimentation. The commission estimated about 20 to 30 cubic yards of sand are being deposited in a pond about every six months, requiring repeated dredging and assessments.

Because connecting the drains required engineering and permitting, the work proceeded through a petition process culminating in a board of determination. A commissioner noted the board-of-determination letter on the record dates from four years ago; Drain Commission staff said a current list of projects and bid dates was provided in the board packet and that several projects are in the queue for construction this fall through next spring.

Commissioners praised recent improvements to the Drain Commission’s website and public information flow, saying clearer project timelines have reduced public concern. Staff said the project is out for bid and that the county intends to proceed once contracts are awarded.

The board’s action was procedural approval of the bond authorization; the record shows no amendment to the project scope or assessments at the meeting itself.