ZEELAND, MI (WHTC-AM/FM, Dec. 1, 2025) – Amidst the excitement of the lighting of the Christmas Tree and the Magical Christmas Parade in downtown Zeeland on Monday evening is the changing of the proverbial guard on the Zeeland City Council.
Three new City Council members will be sworn in – Andrew Bult, Amy Langeland and Rebecca Perkins – as well as Rick Van Dorp moving from a council seat to that of Mayor, replacing seven-term incumbent Kevin Klynstra, who has retired after 30 years overall on the governing panel. During the meeting that follows, the council will appoint an interim Fire/Rescue Chief, which should be Deputy Chief Mitch Harsevoort. Ross Tibbets submitted his resignation last month ahead of a move to neighboring Holland Township in a similar role, with his last day on the job being December 12th. A committee will be assuming the responsibility of seeking a permanent successor.
Council will also vote on the scope and budget for next year’s Church Street project, which initially was estimated to run about $9.1 million. This was higher than expected, and the governing panel will be asked to decide on whether to pare down the project, or find ways to cover these costs in the Fiscal 2027 budget.
The Zeeland City Council will go over a Financial Sustainability Report during a 5:30 PM Work-Study Session, and hold the 7 PM business meeting after the downtown festivities, both in Chambers at Zeeland City Hall (21 S. Elm St.). An online link to the agenda and supporting documents is here.
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