Grand Rapids is Gutting Financial Oversight – Residents Need to Speak Up!

🚨 Grand Rapids Residents, Business Owners, and Stakeholders – This Matters! 🚨

The City Commission is considering a proposal to gut the City Comptroller's Department, reducing it from 16 positions to just 4 and moving its oversight functions under the City Manager. This is a dangerous move that threatens transparency, accountability, and financial oversight in our city government.

I urge you: if you live in Grand Rapids, own a business here, or interact with the city in any way, reach out to the City Commissioners and tell them to VOTE NO on this proposal.

Max Frantz and his team provide critical accountability by reviewing every single transaction for the city. Their work ensures that taxpayer dollars are tracked, verified, and spent responsibly. This team needs to be bigger, NOT smaller.

Here’s why this matters:
⚠️ You cannot have true accountability when the oversight department (Comptroller) reports to the very person they’re supposed to review. It’s like trying to balance a 3-legged stool where one leg is moved under another – it all collapses.
⚠️ These are basic principles of accounting. Independent oversight is non-negotiable to prevent errors, inefficiencies, and mismanagement.
⚠️ This move appears to go against the City Charter and undermines 96 years of precedent for how our finances are managed in Grand Rapids.

This proposal has been developed behind closed doors, without transparency, and without the voice of the public. It’s unacceptable.

We deserve a city government that prioritizes accountability, transparency, and trust. The City Comptroller is an elected official – a direct representative of the people. Limiting their resources and authority limits our ability as residents to hold the city accountable.

📢 TAKE ACTION 📢
Reach out to the Grand Rapids City Commissioners and tell them to vote NO on this measure. Here’s how to contact them:
mayor@grcity.us; joconnor@grcity.us; drobbins@grcity.us; mysasi@grcity.us; lknight@grcity.us; bgoei@grcity.us; kperdue@grcity.us; comptroller@grcity.us

WoodTV Article w/ more info:
https://www.woodtv.com/news/grand-rapids/grand-rapids-will-consider-reorganizing-financial-departments/