Copyright M Live Michigan
KENTWOOD, MI – Kentwood’s incumbent mayor is being challenged by a county commissioner in the city’s Nov. 4 mayoral election. Mayor Stephen Kepley is running for reelection for the four-year seat, which expires Dec. 31. He is currently serving his third term as Kentwood’s mayor since he was first elected to the seat in 2013. Kent County Commissioner Monica Sparks is challenging Kepley for the open seat. She is currently serving as a county commissioner after being elected to the four-year term in 2024. She represents Kent County’s District 12, serving residents in Kentwood, Grand Rapids and Wyoming. The winner on Nov. 4 will serve as Kentwood’s mayor for the next four years. Kentwood has a strong-mayor form of government, which means the mayor is also the head administrator for the city, managing day-to-day operations. Kentwood is one of the largest Grand Rapids suburbs, with over 54,000 residents according to American Community Survey estimates. Kepley, 60, served as Kentwood’s director of engineering and inspections for 11 years prior to being elected as mayor in 2013. Before that, he worked in the private manufacturing design and construction industry. He earned his bachelor’s degree in engineering from Virginia Tech. His campaign website is linked here. Sparks, 53, is the owner of The Urban Sparks, a real estate firm, and Body Sculpt Better Body Bar, a wellness spa that offers “ancient self-care techniques with modern science and technology.” She earned her bachelor’s degree in business from Capella University. Her campaign website is linked here. If Sparks won Kentwood’s mayoral election, the Kent County Board of Commissioners would appoint someone else to serve in the seat until a permanent successor would be elected in the 2026 midterms. MLive/The Grand Rapids Press interviewed both candidates about why they’re running for the seat and what their top campaign priorities would be if elected. Below is an edited version of their responses. Kepley: Why are you running for reelection? Kepley said he is running for reelection to continue the work that he has accomplished over the last 12 years. His focus of a fourth term in office would be overseeing completion of major infrastructure projects, such as the construction of the Kentwood Community Center and the planned extension of Breton Road, to ensure the city’s long-term financial health and continued growth. Kepley pointed to his proven record of fiscal stewardship, including securing a fully funded pension plan and helping the city pay off its library debt 10 years early, saving the city $1.36 million in interest. Similarly, he said the city plans to retire bond debt for the community center project in 10 years, saving $3.82 million in interest. Kepley said the community center, a $31 million facility set to open in 2026 at 4755 Walma Ave. SE, will be financially sustainable by generating its own revenue through amenities like an all-sports simulator, community spaces that can be rented out for events, and several tiers of membership options. That revenue will help subsidize the city’s parks and recreation department by $600,000 a year, Kepley said. “There’s so many things that we have done, strategically, to put Kentwood in a very strong financial picture,” he said. “For me, it’s making sure that these projects that are a heavy lift, are finalized and put in the right place for success.” The proposed extension of Breton Road has been a long-standing goal for the city of Kentwood, and Kepley hopes to see that come to fruition soon. The project would connect Breton Road from where it currently ends at 52nd Street through a new extension stretching to 60th Street, as well as adding a new 216-unit housing development. In September, the city commission approved a Brownfield TIF (Tax Incremental Financing) plan for the project, and the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy is now reviewing the project plans. Construction is expected to begin in spring 2026, according to the city. Sparks: Why are you running for Kentwood mayor? Sparks said Kentwood has “incredible potential” as one of the largest cities in West Michigan, but that she doesn’t feel the city is living up to that potential. She feels the city would benefit from a new, fresh perspective in the mayor’s office. The county commissioner said she is running for Kentwood mayor to “sound the alarm” on several issues where she feels Kentwood is falling behind, including its declining population and lack of investment from the state compared to neighboring cities. “Right now, according to the U.S. Census, we’re in depopulation,” she told MLive. “When I look at the trends of the last three to four years, according to how much money has gone through state appropriations, Kentwood is not getting the millions of dollars that Grand Rapids, Wyoming, or even little Cascade is getting.” If elected as mayor, Sparks said she would be committed to rebuilding relationships at the state level and help securing funding streams to reinvest in city infrastructure. She also identified challenges such as unaffordable housing, city employees working without contracts, and a sense of disinvestment on the city’s west side that she wants to address if elected as mayor. Kepley: What are your top accomplishments from your time in office, and what still needs to get done? Kepley said he is most proud of influencing the corporate culture in Kentwood, focusing on four key leadership areas: Prioritizing safety, ensuring Kentwood remains “open for business,” providing high-quality infrastructure and parks, and promoting unity in the diverse community. As mayor, Kepley has focused on changing the city’s governance to focus on leading with a “servant’s heart.” “People see us as servant leaders and that we’re here to serve, and not to be served,” he said. “I think that’s so important and that by working together and growing together, we move forward with an incredible city to live in.” Other than seeing the completion of the community center and Breton Road extension, Kepley said he has goals of getting a solar farm developed on the landfill behind city hall. Sparks: What are your top priorities if elected? Under her 180-day action plan, Sparks would start her time as mayor by holding a listening tour to meet with all city departments and review budgets to understand the current situation. Sparks said some of her top priorities if elected as mayor would include improving police-community relations, overhauling the city’s website to improve communications with the public, working with local schools to create a Junior Council to strengthen civic engagement, and opening a grants management office at the city level. She has created a S.P.A.R.K.S. Plan of Action outlining her top priorities if elected, which include: S: Safety - Enhance community policing and invest in first responders. P: Partnership - Collaborate with businesses, nonprofits, schools, and government to drive growth and improve lives. A: Advocacy: Prioritize attainable housing, small business support, and environmental equity. R: Resources - Increase access to vital resources that improve daily life for Kentwood residents. K: Knowledge - Lead with transparency, public education, and community input. S: Servant Leadership - Lead with integrity, accountability, and a people-first approach. Also on Kentwood’s Nov. 4 election ballot: Kentwood voters will also select a new clerk in the Nov. 4 election. Cameron Duffey and Ana Jose are both running for the open, four-year seat, which is currently held by Dan Kasunic. There are also three uncontested races on the November ballot for the Kentwood City Commission. Clarkston Morgan is the sole candidate running for Kentwood’s 1st Ward seat, Jessica Ann Tyson is the sole candidate for the 2nd Ward seat, and Betsy Artz is the sole candidate for the At-Large seat.
