As we’ve established, Grand Rapids is the 2nd largest city in the state of Michigan and with that distinction comes difficult distinctions between people being governed by the city of Grand Rapids and Grand Rapids township. So what do the differences between the Grand Rapids city government and the township government look like? How do they interact and cooperate while attempting to govern? Let’s take a look.
Let’s start with Grand Rapids Charter Township and how it is different from the city of Grand Rapids. Grand Rapids Charter Township is located directly to the East of the city proper withing Kent County and governs just over 16,500 people as of the 2010 census. The township government is comprised of a multitude of boards and commissions that each are in charge of different aspects of the township. Elections are held for the Township Board, the Economic Development Corporation and the Planning Commission who carry out various functions within the township. The other commissions and boards are made up of appointed officials who serve on the boards or commissions in a part time role. As we can see Grand Rapids Charter Township exists as an entirely separate entity from the city of Grand Rapids and its government is constructed differently.
The city of Grand Rapids is in charge of governing just under 200,000 residents so right away the scale of the two governments is a lot different. Grand Rapids as a city also features both elected and appointed officials who exercise more power in government compared to the average board member from the township. The elected positions within Grand Rapids include; Mayor Rosalynn Bliss, the six Ward Commissioners who represent the three wards of Grand Rapids, and the City Comptroller Max Frantz. The six city Commissioners and the Mayor comprise the City Commission who then appoint the City Manager, Clerk, Treasure and City Attorney. Citizens can also apply to serve on a multitude of boards each with their own role to play in Grand Rapids.
Clearly the challenges faced by both the township of Grand Rapids and the city are unique in their own respects and thus governing these municipalities has to be done in a different way. The city obviously places a higher emphasize on the individuals who are elected to various positions, while the township is more concerned with organizing the elected officials into boards and commissions where they can do the most good for their constituency’s.
Hopefully this has helped clear some of the air around what the differences between Grand Rapids Charter Township and the City of Grand Rapids are! As well as answering the question of why do we have both here in Kent County. As always be sure to subscribe for more content and be sure to be on the lookout for our first interview with an elected official coming soon!
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