The City of Whitehall Council met on June 10, 2025, to discuss a range of community matters, financial clarifications, and upcoming events. The meeting opened with the approval of the agenda and consent agenda, which included clarifications on several budget items.
Scholarship Selection & Smart Move Contribution
During the consent agenda review, council members discussed how recipients for the city’s $1,000 scholarships to Whitehall students are chosen—typically through recommendations from school staff based on civic interest. There was also discussion regarding a previously requested $800 contribution to the “Smart Move” initiative, which was not included in the new budget. Council requested additional budget details before potentially approving funding in a year-end budget amendment.
TIFA & LDFA Pass-Through Clarifications
Council members sought further clarification on the TIFA (Tax Increment Finance Authority) and LDFA (Local Development Finance Authority) pass-throughs. City staff explained that while these authorities capture tax revenue growth for reinvestment in the district, Whitehall voluntarily returns about one-third of unspent funds to other taxing jurisdictions to help ease their budget impacts.
Flock Surveillance System Reactions
The council revisited community reactions to the recently approved trial installation of the Flock surveillance camera system. Several members reported hearing mixed feedback from residents, with concerns about privacy still a key issue. The system is currently approved only as a trial.
Water Bill Dispute Resolution
A lengthy discussion was held regarding a disputed water bill by a resident who experienced an unexpected spike in usage. The council agreed to test the resident’s water meter at the city’s expense—contrary to the ordinance requirement—after confirming no visible leaks were present inside the home.
Community Updates & Events
Citywide Garage Sale: Scheduled for June 21, this tradition will again encourage residents to explore the community.
Cruising Event: The popular “Cruising” car event is returning, with improvements for safety, including a designated burnout pit.
Fishing Tournament: The recent kids’ fishing tournament, supported by the White Lake Sport Fishing Association, was a success and drew a large number of young participants.
Urban Deer Hunting: With the recent approval of limited deer hunting within city limits, the council will form a committee to develop program guidelines.
Alley Sale Approval
The council approved requests from Hokey Pokey to close an alley behind the business for sales events on June 20-22 and September 5-7. Business owner Kathy Russell thanked the council and DPW for supporting this community-focused event.
Public Comment & Final Notes
During public comment, a County Commissioner shared the latest Muskegon County Senior Millage report. Council members also discussed increasing garbage capacity at popular events such as Feet on the Street, which saw higher-than-expected attendance this year.
The meeting concluded with brief updates and an acknowledgment of the city’s continued commitment to community engagement and transparency.
Next Meeting will take place on June 24th at 6:00 pm at City of Whitehall Building.
Kara Raeth is the DMM Service Lead at CatchMark Technologies, bringing over 15 years of experience in web development, customer service, and project management. She joined the company in 2019 as a Web Developer and has since expanded her role to include office management, accounts receivable and payable, and project management. Kara proudly served in the U.S. Army, where she specialized in signal and communication intelligence—developing a strong foundation in secure communication and technical systems. Her combined military background and digital expertise make her a vital asset to CatchMark’s digital marketing and media operations.
