Kent County taxpayers now have easier access to pay delinquent taxes, after Kent County Treasurer Peter MacGregor this week announced the launch of a new online platform to provide residents with greater access to contactless services.
The service is available though a Kent County website and a free mobile app — myKentCounty — and will allow individuals to pay their delinquent taxes online.
“Over the past year we have seen how important it is to give our residents the option of contactless services,” Treasurer MacGregor said in supplied material. “This new electronic service will allow residents to view and pay their delinquent taxes from the convenience of their home or business.”
To access this new service, residents should visit payments.mykentcounty.com or download the free myKentCounty app in the iPhone or Google Play (Android) app stores. They can then create an account with the internet payment site PayIt, select Kent County Delinquent Property Tax, and then view and pay bills as well as printing or digitally storing receipts.
Kent County Treasurer Peter MacGregor. (WKTV)
“We are excited to launch myKentCounty as it will greatly improve our payment system while simultaneously saving taxpayers time and potential penalties,” MacGregor said. “This is another important step in how my office will serve county residents and we will continue to work with PayIt to add future services to the platform.”
In November of last year, then state senator Peter MacGregor won election to the position of Kent County Treasurer, returning to work nearer his Rockford home after more than a decade of public service in Lansing as a state representative and then a senator.
Just after his election, when he resigned his senate seat and was sworn in as Treasurer, MacGregor told WKTV the duties of state senator and county treasurer were very different in most ways but that the common ground fits in with his skill-set and his personal outlook when it comes to taxpayers and use of their taxes.
Kent County Treasurer Peter MacGregor. (WKTV)
In early April, Kent County Treasurer MacGregor visited WKTV Journal In Focus to talk about his job transition, the sometimes little-known duties of the county treasurer, and where he now sees his public service priorities lay — including sometimes knocking on the door to help homeowners behind on their taxes.
Oh, ya, and we also asked how long it took him to stop answering the phone with “This is Senator MacGregor”?
WKTV Journal In Focus airs on cable television in the Wyoming and Kentwood areas on Comcast WKTV Channel 26 and on AT&T Channel 99 Government channel (For dates and times on Channel 26, see our Weekly On-air Schedule. For dates and times on Channel 99, visit here). All individual interviews included in episodes of WKTV Journal In Focus are also available on YouTube at WKTVvideos.
At Government Matters meeting sponsored by the Wyoming-Kentwood Area Chamber of Commerce and broadcast by WKTV, then State Sen. Peter MacGregor (right) talks with other legislators. (WKTV)
It was a holiday season of change and challenges for new Kent County Treasurer Peter MacGregor.
The two-term State Senator representing Wyoming and Kentwood won a countywide election in November 2020 with the shadow of term limits set to end his time in Lansing in two years. He was sworn in to the Kent County office in mid-December and officially resigned his 28th District seat on Dec. 31 — but not before helping to push through state government a series of “essential” COVID-19 related bills.
Kent County Treasurer Peter MacGregor (Supplied)
Last week, as he prepared to take over the county position this week, he talked with WKTV about his plans for his new public service duties and what he will miss about serving in state government. He also expressed concerns about how and when the constituents of his old senate district will again have representation — a process which he hopes will not be driven by partisan politics.
“I am gong to miss the friendships, the working relationships that I have with the people there,” MacGregor said. “I am going to miss my staff — I had five staff members. I am going to miss my colleagues. … (and) the policy people who are dedicated to making our state the best place to live and play and work. … That is what I am going to miss. I am not going to miss the politics.”
Replacement for senate seat driven by Governor
The currently Republican-held senate seats vacated by MacGregor and one-time Macomb County Sen. Pete Lucido, who won the Macomb County’s prosector position in November, leave the current balance of political power in the state senate at 20 Republicans and 16 Democrats.
State senators are all elected in the same years as the governor, with the last election one being in 2018. So for the two now open senate seats to be filled, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer would need to call for a special election — which MacGregor hopes will occur.
At this point, the local senate seat “will be unfilled by an elected official, (but) there is still staff there that will help out the people of the 28th District, in fact it is my former staff,”MacGregor said. “But the sooner it is that the Governor calls for an election, the better it is for the people to have representation in the 28th District. … My hope is that the seat stays vacant for as little time as possible.”
The new Senate leadership will have Sen. Mike Shirkey (R-Clarklake) serving a second term as majority leader while Sen. Dan Lauwers (R-Brockway) will replace MacGregor as majority floor leader. MacGregor was also chairman of the Appropriations Subcommittee on Health and Human Services.
According to a spokesperson for the Kent County Clerk’s office, which controls county elections, filing the local seat is “completely at the mercy of when the Governor calls for the special election.”
When WKTV this week asked Gov. Whitmer’s office for its plans for calling a special election, a spokesperson in the office said the Governor was “reviewing possibilities.”
But the Kent County Clerk’s spokesperson noted that there could be a ripple effect no matter what she does.
“In both (open) seats you’ll likely see House members running for the special senate elections, so if she called the special for the August/November 2021 election dates, then that has the potential to leave a House seat vacant. It’s likely that she leave the Senate seat vacant for the final two years and not deal with the potential of the domino effect in the House.”
MacGregor wraps up work in Lansing
As Michigan’s 2020 Legislative session wrapped up in December, a spate of bills signed by the Governor (and a few vetoed) had Sen. MacGregor’s name attached. Some of them were sponsored by him and some had his name attached due to his role in Senate leadership.
“As the floor leader (as the session came to an end), I can control what moves, and towards the end, when we were running out of time, it made more sense to the leadership team to put some of these bills in the name of leadership because we just have a better way of moving the bills,” MacGregor said.
Many of the bills were COVID-19 related and, he said, “Timing was essential . … We needed to get those done before the session ended.”
One of those bills was SB 1258, which was signed by the Governor, dealt with “good employment practices both for employers and employees,” MacGregor said. “If the employees are doing every thing they were told to do, following the guidelines the CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) has issued, they can’t be fired.”
The law also includes protections for the employer in these times of COVID-19, when it comes to work environments.
“It protects workers from being discharged if they are sick and it also mandates that, if the employers follows all the rules the they are supposed to, especially for essential workers, the the essential workers can’t retaliate,” MacGregor said. “Everybody needed this bill to protect (the state) moving forward” in the pandemic.
Skill-set and goals for new new county position
MacGregor, in comparing his change in duties from state senator to county treasurer, says they are very different in most ways but that the common ground fits in with his skill-set and his personal outlook when it comes to taxpayers and use of their taxes.
Peter MacGregor, in the WKTV studios in 2019. (WKTV)
“The financial aspect is probably where the similarities are,” he said. “I am going from a policy position to more of an administrative position, but working with the people’s tax dollars, making sure that you are a good steward of those tax dollars, I’ve done that since I was a supervisor in Cannon Township.”
In between serving as a township supervisor and a state senator, MacGregor served two terms as a state representative.
And as in the past, he sees a priority of his new position “is that you have got to put faces to those tax dollars.”
Pointing out that one of the duties of the treasurer is dealing with property foreclosures, he said he wants to work to help people who are threatened with foreclosure.
“You got to work with those people. They are not just addresses … you have to help those people as soon as possible,” he said.
MacGregor, who lives in Rockford, is a lifelong Michigan resident and was a small business owner before serving in Lansing. He is a graduate of Michigan State University’s Eli Broad College of Business. He and his wife, Christie, have three sons.
Note: For the Michigan Nov. 3 general election, WKTV’s We The People program invited participation from all candidates. If they participated, their videos are linked here. For those who did not participate, either a candidate-provided biography/issues statement, or simply their name is listed. All videos are 5-minutes or less of interview, and were not edited in any way by WKTV.
Kent County District Attorney
Republican Incumbent Kent County District Attorney Chris Becker, of Ada, is running unopposed for the position.
Chris Becker — Incumbent Kent County District Attorney
Kent County Clerk/Register of Deeds
There are three candidates, Republican incumbent Lisa Posthumus Lyons of Bowen Twp., Democratic candidate Devin Ortega-Furgeson of Wyoming, and Libertarian candidate Jamie Lewis of Grand Rapids.
Lisa Posthumus Lyons — Incumbent Kent County Clerk/Register of Deeds
Occupation: Kent County Clerk/Register of Deeds
Why did you decide to run for this position?
I’m proud to call Kent County my home and am so grateful for the opportunity to serve my community. As a lifelong resident of Kent County, where my husband and I are now raising our four children, I have deep appreciation for the values that make Kent County a wonderful place to live, work, and serve. I am running for re-election as Kent County Clerk/Register to continue providing a strong voice for West Michigan, and to build upon my record of providing efficient, effective, and transparent leadership to Kent County residents.
Please list two to three issues you feel your voters are facing:
I believe the voters of Kent County want their local government to run efficiently and effectively. My office is diverse: Clerk (vital records, elections), Register of Deeds (property records), and Clerk of the Circuit Court (court records). Rapidly changing technology is changing the way we serve the public. During my first term we’ve modernized our vital and land records recording technology, as well as implemented new campaign finance management software for elections. Our next challenge will be the implementation of e-filing of court records. The recent COVID-19 shutdown proved the essential need for citizens to be able to remotely interact with the county, and I’m committed to making that process easier for all residents.
Devin Ortega-Furgeson — Candidate Kent County Clerk/Register of Deeds
Jamie Lewis — Candidate Kent County Clerk/Register of Deeds
Kent County Drain Commissioner
There are three candidates, Republican incumbent Ken Yonker of Caledonia, Democratic candidate Elaine Isely of Grand Rapids Twp., and Libertarian candidate Alex Avery of Wyoming.
Elaine Isely — Candidate Kent County Drain Commissioner
Occupation: Water resources professional/attorney, current position is Director of Water Programs at West Michigan Environmental Action Council
Why did you decide to run for this position?
Water is our most important natural resource, and everyone has a right to clean and safe water. I have 15 years experience working on water resource management and stormwater policy issues, and I’d like to bring my expertise and passion for this work to this office to serve the residents of Kent County.
Please list two to three issues you feel your voters are facing:
Water pollution and high water levels. The Drain Commissioner is responsible for stormwater management and water drainage to prevent flooding. Stormwater is our largest source of pollution to our waterways, and flooding can create health hazards and property damage. Kent County deserve a Drain Commissioner who better understands these issues and the impacts they can have on our water system.
Ken Yonker — Incumbent Kent County Drain Commissioner
Alex Avery — Candidate Kent County Drain Commissioner
Kent County Treasurer
There are two candidates, two-term Republican State Sen. Peter MacGregor of Canon Twp., and Democratic candidate Beth White of Grand Rapids.
Peter MacGregor – Candidate for Kent County treasurer
Occupation: Michigan State Senator, District 28
Why did you decide to run for this position?
I have a passion to serve the community I love. With your vote for the next Kent County Treasurer, I can continue to serve our community, where I have run a successful business and raised my family. As part of the Kent County executive team, I want to continue to help our county in areas other than just as the custodian of your tax dollars. My competencies and experiences will be helpful with Kent County’s services for children, and mental and behavioral health.
Please list two to three issues you feel your voters are facing:
The responsibility of a county treasurer is to be the custodian of all county funds and to invest the county’s funds responsibly. The second responsibility is the collection of delinquent property taxes. Due to the pandemic, both residents and businesses are struggling to make ends meet and property taxes are one of the largest expense that they have during these uncertain times. I want to be able to work for those residents who may need a little more time and help to keep their head above water. Continuing fiscal responsibility, maintaining the county’s “Triple A Bond Rating”, and helping our taxpayers through these uncertain times will be the greatest challenge for the next county treasurer.
Beth White – Candidate for Kent County treasurer
Occupation: Attorney
Why did you decide to run for this position?
At this point in our history, I believe it is time for every person with integrity and skill to get off the sidelines. That’s why I’m running for Treasurer.
Please list two to three issues you feel your voters are facing:
The main concern for voters everywhere is the uncertainty brought about by this unprecedented pandemic. People are worried about their physical and financial health. They are worried about their jobs. They are worried about educating their children, and keeping them safe. A local county treasurer can’t resolve all of the very real anxieties people are feeling right now. But honest, steady leadership is needed at all levels of government. That’s what I hope to bring to the job.
Kent County Sheriff
There are three candidates, Republican incumbent Michelle LaJoye-Young of Caledonia Twp., Democratic candidate Marc Burns of Cascade Twp., and Libertarian candidate John Glen Stedman of Wyoming.
Michelle LaJoye-Young — Incumbent Republican Kent County Sheriff
Occupation: Kent County Sheriff, and 31 years with the department
Why did you decide to run for this position?
I have dedicated my entire adult life to serving the residents of Kent County and am incredibly honored to lead the men and women of the Kent County Sheriff’s Department. I have the experience in leading the department in thought and direction to guide us forward in meeting the needs of all Kent County residents. I have lead the department through many challenges and believe that the opportunities to grow and develop are here and there are many ways we can learn from the past and guide the future.
Please list two to three issues you feel your voters are facing:
There have been a lot of public and private conversations regarding policing in America. I think building on the strengths of the police departments in our community is very important. Having experience in leadership to understand what things can be done and what things will be effective is important.
There is a tremendous amount of divisiveness in some of our conversations. To grow as a community we must continue to work on ways that we can come together and build on the wonderful foundation we have in Kent County while ensuring that the opportunity to be safe where we live, work, play and worship is protected for everyone.
Marc Burns — Candidate Kent County Sheriff
Occupation: Current Special Agent in Enforcement, and served for 26 years at the Sheriff’s Department
Why did you decide to run for this position?
I am running for Sheriff because I have most real experience of any candidate and real transparency and accountability must be at the forefront of the Sheriff’s Department.
Please list two to three issues you feel your voters are facing:
Citizens of Kent County need to know I am going to end misuse of tax payer dollars, to end the lack of oversight for accountability by the current administration, to end cronyism and to allow for real change and reform in policing and in our communities.
Note: For the Michigan Aug. 4 primary, WKTV’s We The People program invited participation from all candidates for any seat where there is a contested primary in either party. For the general election, all candidates will be invited to record a We The People.
Kent County Treasurer
There are three candidates, one a two-term Republican state senator and two in the Democratic primary, seeking the Kent County Treasurer position. They are State Sen. Peter MacGregor of Rockford, and Democratic primary candidates José L. Reyna of Ada and Beth White of Grand Rapids.
Note: Neither MacGregor nor White were available for a We The People video recording prior to the primary. The Republican and Democratic primary winners will be invited to participate after the August primary.
Peter MacGregor – Incumbent State Senator and county treasurer candidate
Party: Republican
José L. Reyna – County treasurer primary candidate
Party: Democrat
Occupation: Consultant/semi-retired
Why did you decide to run for the 72nd District House of Representatives seat?
I grew up in Grand Rapids/Kent County and have dedicated my professional career to public service. I decided to run for the office of Kent County Treasurer with the interest of continuing my service to the community that I love and use my professional experience of over 30 years for the benefit of the Kent County community. My experience includes decades of financial management including serving as a director of departments with the responsibility of developing and managing budgets. My tenure with the City of Grand Rapids as Assistant to the City Manager and Fiscal Services Manager/Purchasing Agent provided me with extensive experience with public finance from developing and administering the City’s Fiscal Plan, departmental budgets, and oversight of the City’s procurement process. Additionally, I served as acting Director for the City’s Assessor’s Department and led the transformation of the department and its function to bring it into compliance with State law. I am eager to serve as Kent County Treasurer and apply my extensive experience in public finance in combination with my commitment to the people of Kent County.
If elected, what issues do you want to focus on?
The incumbent Kent County Treasurer has done an outstanding job in leading the financial management and operations of the County. It is my interest to build on the County’s strong financial position and legacy of service. I do have several areas of priority that I would like improve for the benefit of the County and its residents, including financial management, public outreach and engagement, and customer service focused innovations.
