The Grand Rapids Community College Board of Trustees met on Monday, May 4, to discuss the proposed 2026-2027 budget. The presentation included the general operating budget, transfer schedule, expendable restricted, designated, auxiliary, and plant.
Additionally, Chairperson Salvador Lopez, who led the meeting, disclosed the resignation of Trustee Micah Perkins. President Kathryn Rogalski was also in attendance.
2026-2027 Preliminary General Fund Scenario
Nathanial (Nat) Lloyd, Director of Budget and Business Services, presented the 2026-2027 Preliminary General Fund Scenario. “What’s interesting is what we’re doing with enrollment,” he said.
Lloyd shared that they typically avoid a budget with an increase but noted that while trends such as estimating property taxes and strong interest are estimated to continue in the same fashion, enrollment was projected to experience a 2% increase.
“But after… talking to our internal analysts and having that positive trend, we did decide to break practice and not just do flat, and go with the 2% increase, so that’s new,” Lloyd said.
The proposed ongoing budget additions totaled at $546K. An increase of $85K within the additions would be allocated to Audio captions as an “accessibility need.” This directly coincides with the college’s new ADA compliance requirements regarding Title II and social media posts.
An additional $27k increase will go to the student assistance transfer for the purpose of continuing the student pantry and laptop replacements. Lloyd traced the origins of the student food pantry back to the COVID era and discussed the growing need for food and thus funding.
“For a long time now, that fund was primarily through the good work of our foundation and some donations… we now feel the need rising and the need to start having a transfer to help subsidize that work,” Lloyd said.
Trustee Kenyatta Brame asked if there was an increased utilization of the food pantry and raised the issue of inflation.
“These are difficult times with inflation, so I would imagine there are individuals whose dollars aren’t going as far as they went even a year ago, and so they may be utilizing the program more,” Brames added.
Lloyd agreed that there is more food needed, but maybe not on an individual scale. “I’d like to think that maybe there’s also… maybe less stigma attached as well,” he added.
Similar to the greater need of the food pantry, Lloyd discussed changes that will expand part-time positions into full-time to accommodate growing needs. An example would be for the dental clinic, which is part of health sciences, and has become more popular and thus difficult to run with just a part-time position.
While presenting the summary of the fund scenario, Lloyd pointed out that it would only make up 17.8% of total annual revenue. He acknowledged the new leadership within the last couple of years, but noted that the percentage is a good number.
“Even as we change priorities or add or move things around, or however we project, we maintain this 15-20% target in this area, since I’ve been here for nine years,” Lloyd stated. “It’s a metric that boards often use… it keeps you knowing that balance (is) good for our… budget.”
Lloyd ended by saying that their aim is “(to) really send a good message to the college community, that we’re being really thoughtful around our investments and planning for the future.”
2026-2027 Expendable Restricted, Designated, Auxiliary, and Plant Funds
John Globeker, Vice President of Finance and Administration, presented the 2026-27 funds.
The total projected revenues and expenses for the Expendable Restricted Fund, which includes grants, both totalled to $41.8 million. The landscape highlighted the landscape, which is down $5.5 million from fiscal year 2025-25.
Globeker stated that the landscape changes and the college adapts to those changes.
“(We want) to reassure the board we are very closely managing and keeping an eye on the grand landscape,” Globeker shared.
During the final comment section, Kathleen Bruinsma, Vice Chairperson, inquired about the new grant proposal. “…the grants, it’s down $5.5 million from fiscal year 2024-2025… What do you attribute that to?” she asked.
Globeker highlighted the significance of the Reconnect program, which has experienced recent changes in its qualifications and guidelines.
“It’s a wide array of impact, but most notably speaking about reconnect expansions, that was most significant. That was in 24-25, that would make the lion’s share of the decrease,” Globeker answered. “Then, beyond that is a lot of trading of new ads and those that are falling off and concluding.”
When presenting the Designated Fund, Globeker highlighted the $444K surplus and the landscape, which would set aside $1 million for Enrollment Stabilization. Globeker discussed the importance of considering the future of the college and the impact of the enrollment cliff.
“We will continue to build that balance relative to future enrollment needs, and that can mean a variety of things, but it can also mean that we are offsetting maybe missed enrollment projections,” Globeker explained. “But it’s also important to note that if we do face challenges ahead… (we’re able) to ride out on unsettled time so that we’re impacting the organization as minimally as possible.”
Globeker highlighted the need to transfer funds from General Operating to Auxiliary, which includes bookstore, food service, parking, print solution, in support of the long-term plan to replace Ramp A. “I think it’s important that we continue those efforts and be good stewards of our dollars toward facilities replacement.”
The plant, which includes building and site, debt retirement, maintains an outlook including $16.8 million, from the State, in support of the Learning Resource Center. Globeker remarked on the progress.
“This calendar year (or) even within the next six months, we’ll be on the precipice of building occupancy,” he shared.
Globeker praised the efforts of Victoria (Vicky) Janowiak, Executive Director, Operational Planning, regarding The College Park Plaza, who was also in attendance. “She has been leading efforts around just a lot of stakeholder interaction, there’s been open houses and steering committee conversations, and just making great progress.”
“A lot of great effort has been done in order to get that project moving along,” Globeker shared. He also noted that of the $18 million for the entire project, $8 million will be used in the next fiscal year.
Globeker then began a discussion on the landscape, which involves paying off the college debt.
“We’ll have that debt paid off by 2031, which clears the way for future project financing, so we’re really in a great position there with our debt retirement,” Globeker stated.
Finally, Globeker discussed other fund additions, including the campus door systems, and brought up the need for continued safety on campus.
“These swipe card entries are becoming more used, especially as we do building projects so that’s a great addition to that effort,” Globeker said.
Globeker also discussed the food pantry as well. “As mentioned earlier, we have the student assistance transfer of making sure that we are committed to the food pantry and laptops for our students in need.”
The next steps following this meeting include seeking approval of the tax levy and adopting the budget, approving a salary increase for the Professional, Management, and Administration (PMA) group.
Public and Board Comment, and Conclusion
After offering to hear public comment, Lopez addressed the current situation regarding trustee Micah Perkins. “It is something that communications has been in touch with folks about, so I don’t think it’ll be a huge shock, but we did want to voice it over. Trustee Micah Perkins has resigned from his position effective April 19, 2026.”
Lopez further went on to disclose that Trustee Perkins could no longer dedicate the necessary time needed to serve as trustee. “Trustee Perkins has been a valued member of our board, and I would like to thank him for his service to Grand Rapids Community College. We wish him well in his future endeavors.”
The board is looking to appoint a new member, and they are going through the interview and selection process. The decision will be made by May 18.
During further comment, Lopez thanked Globeker for the time and consideration put into the impact of enrollment and enrollment cliffs on Michigan in general.
Trustee Brandy Lovelady Mitchell also voiced her gratitude and appreciation for the success of commencement. Brame and Bruinsma jumped in and praised the positive impact of the college on the community, the value in multiple pathways, and thanked everyone in the room.
The Board of Trustees will meet on Monday, May 18, at the regular meeting located in the Board Library on the fifth floor of RJF. Alternatively, attendees can watch the live stream.
