Since 2018, Kent County’s Ready by Five has supported health, school readiness and well-being programs for children newborn to age five. There was a motion asking voters increase the Ready by Five millage from .25 to .45 mills.
Megan Cottrell is a member of Together West Michigan and mother of two children. She supports the increase. During the public comment session, she questioned Kent County Commissioners $15 million commitment toward the construction of Acrisure Amphitheater.
“We’re not in the midst of a music venue crisis, but we are in a childcare crisis and we need you to check your priorities.”
Cottrell added she’s not opposed to downtown economic development.
District 17 Commissioner Tony Baker offered a compromise. An amendment to increase the millage from .25 to .35 mills. It failed in a 10-9 vote. In the end, the .25 mills renewal passed 17-2. If voters approve it, Ready by Five will be funded for another six years.
Later in the day, County Administrator Al Vanderberg addressed the misconception county programs and projects are funded from one pot of money. He explained there are 40 accounts each with different rules.
“So, yes. The board did vote to allocate $15 million in hotel/motel tax money to the amphitheater. You’re not allowed to put $15 million of hotel/motel tax into the children of Kent County as lovely as that sounds.”
Vanderberg added that 95% of hotel/motel tax receipts come from outside Kent County.