GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — The City Commission unanimously approved a $3.65 million budget amendment Tuesday that funds police recruit training, Grand River Trail construction, and downtown infrastructure improvements.

Budget Amendment No. 6 allocates $2.5 million for Grand River Trail construction — the largest single item in the package. The city will also spend $100,000 on police recruit stipends funded through the Michigan Commission on Law Enforcement Standards (MCOLES), $50,000 for downtown snowmelt systems, and more than $1 million for cloud services technology carryforward.

“We have a number of items on this ordinance item. First is for the police department, M. Coles funding for recruit stipends, the amount of $100,000,” said Commissioner Milinda Ysasi, who presented the amendment to her colleagues.

The MCOLES funding comes as Grand Rapids continues efforts to boost police staffing levels. The state program provides financial assistance to help departments recruit and train new officers, addressing ongoing workforce challenges in law enforcement across Michigan.

The $2.5 million Grand River Trail allocation represents the city’s continued investment in recreational infrastructure. The trail system connects downtown Grand Rapids to surrounding communities and has been expanded in phases over several years.

The amendment also includes $50,000 for downtown snowmelt systems, addressing winter maintenance concerns in the city’s core business district. The technology infrastructure funding covers cloud services that support city operations but weren’t fully utilized in previous budget cycles.

Mayor David LaGrand and all six commissioners voted to approve the amendment during Tuesday’s meeting. The funds will be incorporated into the city’s fiscal year 2026 budget, which runs through June 30.

The budget adjustment reflects Grand Rapids’ approach to mid-year funding reallocations, allowing the city to respond to emerging needs and capitalize on available grant funding like the MCOLES police training dollars.