Administrative Offices

Phone

Phone: (616) 632-7920
Fax: (616) 632-7925

The Department of Public Works (DPW) is an enterprise fund of Kent County established by the Board of Commissioners to provide solid waste management services to Kent County. The DPW is considered an agency of the County under the general control of the Kent County Board of Commissioners and under the immediate control of the Board of Public Works.

Mission Statement

Our Vision:
Implement sustainable materials management strategies to reduce dependency on landfill disposal.

Our Mission:
Foster collaborative and innovative solutions that deliver value to our stakeholders by managing discarded materials to conserve natural resources and promote a healthy, vibrant and sustainable community.

Our Values:

• Employees are our most valuable resource and essential in delivering our mission.
• Visitors, customers and employees will receive prompt, courteous service that exceeds expectations.
• We will be innovative in our thinking, thoughtful in our planning and efficient in our execution.
• Community leadership, transparency and public-private partnerships drive our business decisions.
• We are committed to fostering a culture that embraces diversity, inclusion and equity. We believe that our unique differences enrich and empower the lives of all and we will work collaboratively to achieve common goals.
• We will not compromise on safety or environmental compliance.
• We consider today’s actions for tomorrow’s benefit.

Adopted by the Board of Public Works on August 6, 2015

Board of Public Works

The Kent County Department of Public Works and Board of Public Works were created by the Kent County Board of Commissioners, as authorized by Public Act 185. The Department of Public Works is considered an agency of the County under the general control of the Kent County Board of Commissioners and under the immediate control of the Board of Public Works. The Kent County Board of Commissioners appoints the 7 member Board of Public Works members, made up of 5 elected County Commissioners, the elected Drain Commissioner and a Road Commissioner.

Board Members

Emily Brieve, Chair (616) 502-5010 Emily.Brieve@kentcountymi.gov	Cynthia Janes, Vice Chair (appointed by Road Commission) Phone: (616) 914-6901 cpjanes1@gmail.com
Ken Yonker, Secretary Kent County Drain Commissioner (by virtue of office) (616) 632-7911 Ken.Yonker@kentcountymi.gov	Stan Ponstein (616) 726-2331 Stan.Ponstein@kentcountymi.gov
David Bulkowski (616) 560-2293 Dave.Bulkowski@kentcountymi.gov	Phil Skaggs Phone: (616) 446-2280 Phil.Skaggs@kentcountymi.gov
Ben Greene (616) 970-3033 Ben.Greene@kentcountymi.gov

2021 Meeting Schedule

The Board meets on the first Thursday of the month at 8:30 a.m.

January 7, 2021 (via electronic communication)
February 4, 2021 (via electronic communication)
March 4, 2021 (via electronic communication)
March 31, 2021 (via electronic communication)
May 6, 2021 (via electronic communication)
June 3, 2021 (in person & via electronic communication)
(no meeting currently scheduled in July)
August 5, 2021
September 2, 2021
October 7, 2021
November 4, 2021
December 2, 2021

Agenda & Minutes

Strategic Goals

• Develop and implement a strategy for sustainable solid waste management, processing, and recycling services
• Budget and operate without the use of Kent County General Fund support
• Participate in the economic development and planning efforts of the region
• Implement approved Solid Waste Management Plan goals and objectives that include expanded solid waste recovery prior to disposal in recycling
  services and systems
• Expand South Kent Landfill capacity with initial priority on ash monofill requirements;
• Explore the most economical avenue to expand the hours of operation at the Recycling and Education Center
• Provide clean energy through the production of electricity at the Waste-to-Energy Facility and the South Kent Landfill Gas-to- Energy plant
• Install a landfill gas collection system at the Kentwood Landfill.

Operational Goals

• Ensure availability of long-term disposal services and transfer capacity for
  Kent County residents
• Operate disposal and transfer facilities in compliance with license and
  permits
• Accept and process increased curb side recycling tonnage at the Recycling
  Education Center
• Expand participation through a comprehensive educational and advertising program. (HHW)
• Process 26,000 tons in the new single stream recycling facility
• Accept all solid waste delivered and process solid waste for energy recovery or transfer in a cost effective and
  environmentally responsible manner
• Maintain Clean Corporate Citizen certification

Selected Performance Measures (pdf) »