Kent Co to end Zoo Society contract

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) - Kent County plans to end its contract with the John Ball Zoo Society in November, saying it's time to start implementing a new, streamlined leadership system.

The County owns the zoo property and is in charge of hiring. The Zoo Society, which currently operates on a month-to-month contract, raises funds and plans zoo activities.

Both sides want the zoo to transition to a new nonprofit model because it would eliminate redundancies and provide a common vision.

They've been working on the transition for 18 months, but they can't agree on how quickly to take that final step. The County wants it to happen in the next year.

"We're not operating at what we believe is the best function," Kent County Commissioner and Finance Chair Harold Voorhees told 24 Hour News 8. "And why wait?"

The Kent County Commission sent a letter announcing the change to the Zoo Society earlier this week.

In the letter obtained by 24 Hour News 8, Kent County Board of Commissioners Chair Sandi Frost Parrish wrote, "For the past 18 months, we have worked together to design and implement a new governance and operations model: one that combines all operations under a single Board and management structure. The financial pro-formas prepared by Zoo Advisors indicate that the Zoo's business model and operations, and resulting funding mix, are not consistent with widely accepted best practices and other similarly-situated organizations. The Consultant has recommended basic changes to staffing and operations that will enable John Ball Zoo to move closer to these standards and to become more sustainable. The County embraces this approach. This does not mean that we do not value the partnership that we have had with the Zoo Society over the years; we simply believe that we need to change how we work together to move the Zoo to its next level of development. ..."

The Zoo Society, meanwhile, is in the middle of a major fundraising effort. It's currently about $1.2 million short of a $12 million fundraising goal, some of which will go to a new tiger exhibit.

The County hopes the society will continue that fundraising effort even after the leadership change is implemented.

"We know that the people who donate their money want their money to be handled most effectively and efficiently," Voorhees said.

But some are worried a change in leadership right now could damage that effort.

"I'm afraid that we'll lose this wonderful momentum," John Ball Zoo Society President Kyle Irwin said. "If there becomes distrust with where the Zoo it going, this could impact exhibits, our membership."

In her response to the letter from the county, Irwin wrote, "The Zoo Society wants the zoo to grow and prosper; the plan that you laid out in your most recent letter does reflect this vision. Clearly, we are not on the same page due in part to the lack of transparency in the process.

"In the spirit of public/private collaboration we need to immediately select a 3rd party mediator to help us resolve our issues and move us forward in completing the Transition to non-profit management. To that end, I recommend strongly that the County renew the Zoo Society's contract for a minimum of one year or until the new non-profit is in place in order to reassure donors and provide uninterrupted services and programs to visitors and members. ..."

The leadership dispute comes at a time when the John Ball Zoo is experiencing record attendance and recently added a funicular.

The new nonprofit should be in effect within a year, Voorhees said.