City, township & village

City Comptroller, City of Grand Rapids

Vote for: 1
Candidates: 2
Election: Nov 3, 2026

What this office does: The city comptroller is the elected official who keeps the records of all city funds, publishes the city's financial reports and audits city services.

Candidates Compare by issue

David Bulkowski

No party listed

Executive Director, Disability Advocates of Kent County; attorney

The gist

Proposes expanding participatory budgeting in Grand Rapids
Pledges to report returns on city tax incentives
Pledges independent audits and sound financial controls

More about David

View sources (1)

Proposes expanding participatory budgeting in Grand Rapids
Priorities – Dave Bulkowski for Grand Rapids City Comptroller
Campaign website · Committee to Elect Dave Bulkowski · davebulkowski.com
“Participatory budgeting lets neighbors help decide how public dollars get used in their community. Dave wants to expand it in Grand Rapids”
Pledges to report returns on city tax incentives
Priorities – Dave Bulkowski for Grand Rapids City Comptroller
Campaign website · Committee to Elect Dave Bulkowski · davebulkowski.com
“the return on investment for tax credits, incentives, and similar funding tools, so residents can judge the results for themselves.”
Pledges independent audits and sound financial controls
Priorities – Dave Bulkowski for Grand Rapids City Comptroller
Campaign website · Committee to Elect Dave Bulkowski · davebulkowski.com
“that means doing the fundamentals well: independent audits, sound financial controls, accurate records, and honest reporting”

Max Frantz

No party listedIncumbent

Grand Rapids City Comptroller; change management at Amway

The gist

Filed suit over transfer of comptroller duties to city manager
Led review flagging questionable spending at City Hall
Pledges strict adherence to the city charter

More about Max

View sources (2)

Filed suit over transfer of comptroller duties to city manager
Re-Elect Max Frantz for City Comptroller
Campaign website · Max Frantz for City Comptroller · maxforgr.com
“He has taken action to challenge efforts by unelected city officials to diminish the Comptroller's Office”
Who watches Grand Rapids City Hall if the watchdog is muzzled?
News coverage · Mackinac Center for Public Policy · mackinac.org
“Frantz sued the city, the city commission, City Manager Mark Washington and CFO Molly Clarin in December 2025.”
Led review flagging questionable spending at City Hall
Re-Elect Max Frantz for City Comptroller
Campaign website · Max Frantz for City Comptroller · maxforgr.com
“After the Comptroller flagged questionable spending at City Hall, the officials he reviews cut his staff from 16 to three”
Pledges strict adherence to the city charter
Re-Elect Max Frantz for City Comptroller
Campaign website · Max Frantz for City Comptroller · maxforgr.com
“Max believes that an unwavering commitment to following our City Charter is crucial to Grand Rapids' future”

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