This past month we celebrated the groundbreaking of the new Walker Library. Because of the positive buzz in our community around this, most of this newsletter will be sharing some of the details around the why - how - and what we are doing. 

So, let us recap ‘why’ we are embarking on this incredible community project. The existing Walker Library was constructed in 1990. In the 34 years since that building opened, Walker’s population has grown approximately 47%. I think that number had you saying the same thing I did: WOW! However, when the current building was completed back then, it was a large and effective library for our City. As time, interests, and priorities have passed, we are all painfully aware that the existing building is not meeting our community's needs. This is why, going back to 2018, Kent District Library funded a Space Need Study for Walker. That was given to the City Commission in early 2019, and we continued to gain community feedback and fine-tune our potential plans. Fast forward through a pandemic and some other priorities, and we realized we never lost sight of the need to address our community needs with a new Walker Library.

Additionally, this new building will be the fourth permanent library structure that Walker will have had since 1973. Before 1973, Walker was served by the Bookmobile some of us may remember. Regardless, a community with four new library buildings in 51+ years has prioritized lifelong learning, community engagement, and a higher quality of life. So, there is the ‘why’ behind what we are doing. 

How are we going to pay for this is another question being asked of us. Beginning with last year’s budget, we started to allocate funding to this project. We were, and are, confident in starting that journey because our community feedback has consistently been nearly unanimous in building a new library. That number has not wavered, and when it is consistently that high, we know we have to make the investment on behalf of our tax-paying residents and businesses. The remainder of what we will need to pay for the building will be done primarily through bonding and philanthropy. The other questions that came up were about how it would fit in the City's central campus. Additionally, how would it look if it were built in other parts of the City? All that valuable community feedback gave us a blueprint from which we could then work and guided us in how to do things. 

The final part of the equation is ‘what’ now? As some of you may have already seen, fencing around the construction area is up, and some of the preliminary work has begun. After the first of the year, we will close the current library and move it into its temporary home in Standale. This will allow us to gain valuable time as we do the work to repurpose our existing building and connect it to the new building. The grand opening for the new library will be taking place in the fall of 2026. As time goes by, additional details and updates will be shared. In the meantime, do not hesitate to reach out to me or the other elected officials with your questions or feedback.  



Wishing all of you and your families the best of holiday seasons.

Mayor Gary Carey, Jr

Walker Chamber

Shop Small and WIN!

This holiday season, the Walker Chamber is introducing the Small Business Passport Program to encourage community members to support local businesses!



Between November 30 and December 15, visit participating businesses, collect stickers for your passport, and return your completed passport for a chance to win prizes!

Public Works & Engineering Updates

While it may be tedious to be stuck behind a slow-moving snowplow, you’re better off hanging back. By Michigan law, drivers are now required to stay at least 200 feet away from a snowplow, unless they are legally passing it.

Prep for Snow Plows

Can a snow plow fit down your street? Make sure the following items are off of the street, sidewalk, or right-of-way:

· Basketball hoops

· Inoperable cars

· Trailers

· Any other items that would make it impossible to remove the snow from your street.

For more info on driving safely near snow plows, click here.



Mailbox Shake Test

Grab your mailbox and shake it. If the post for the mailbox moves easily, it will not hold up for winter maintenance in your area. Click here for more info on our Mailbox Replacement Policy.

Clerk's Office Updates

Passports – Give the Gift of Travel this year!

The Walker City Clerk’s Office is an official passport acceptance agency. You do not need to be a resident of Walker to take advantage of our passport services. You can have your passport photo taken here and apply for your passport! To schedule an appointment, call (616) 791-6865.

• Passports are currently taking 4-6 weeks for routine processing and 2-3 weeks for expedited processing.
• Don’t forget to calculate mail time: It can take up to 2 weeks for applications to arrive at the passport processing center and it can take up to 2 weeks to receive a completed passport after the passport center prints it.

Processing times + mailing times = total time to get a passport

Please keep in mind that as the holiday season approaches, we anticipate a longer processing time.

Business Licenses

Business License Renewal Applications have been sent out. Applications were due December 1, 2024. Current licenses will expire on December 31, 2024. All businesses in the City of Walker are required to have a license, including home occupations. If you need to file for a license or pay for a renewal license, click here to learn more.

City Hall Drop Box:

Any document(s) you need to turn in to the Clerk’s office may be dropped off in the City Hall green drop box outside City Hall. (i.e. License Applications/Renewals and Payments)



Real ID Deadline has been moved back a year.

Beginning May 7, 2025, Michigan residents will need to present a REAL ID-compliant document to fly within the United States and to enter certain federal facilities to comply with federal law. You will need to visit the Secretary of State's office to convert your current driver’s license to a REAL ID driver’s license. Visit the Secretary of State’s website for more information at Michigan.gov/SOS

Income Tax Department Updates

Due Dates

Fourth quarter estimated payments for calendar year 2024 are due January 31, 2025.

2024 Individual resident and non-resident returns are due May 1, 2025.

Forms are available on our website.

I Need Help

We will be happy to help with questions or payments by email or phone. Please e-mail or call (616) 791-6880 for more information. We will no longer be preparing Walker returns using information submitted by email. We will be happy to prepare your Walker return free of charge at the counter. You must call or email for an appointment and a list of items to bring.

Forgotten Returns

If you have past years of Walker returns that you have forgotten to file, contact the tax department immediately at 616-791-6880. If you file prior year returns and pay the tax and interest due, you may request a waiver of penalty. If the tax department contacts you first regarding unfiled returns, you will not be eligible for a waiver of penalty.

This is the time of year when we continue to electronically match State of Michigan returns filed from a Walker resident address with Walker returns filed and sending assessments. Some taxpayers who receive these assessments say that they did not know Walker had an income tax. We notify Walker residents about the income tax using:

· Monthly e-newsletter articles

· Paper newsletter mailed once a year to all resident addresses

· Information printed on the back of the property tax bills

· Social media

Have questions?

If you are not sure if you need to file Walker Income Tax returns, the most common questions are answered on our website. You can also call us at (616) 791-6880.

Police Department Updates

The holiday season is nearly here, and the Walker Police Department wants to ensure that your home stays safe if you travel for the holidays. Here are some quick safety tips to keep in mind.

1. Lock it up - Always lock your doors and windows if you leave your house. Utilizing deadbolts and other locking devices can help make your home more secure.

2. Light it up - Install motion-activated lights or have exterior lights on when you leave. This can help deter potential intruders.

3. Keep it quiet - Do not post on social media that you are leaving town. Ask a trusted neighbor to keep an eye on the house and to report any suspicious activity.

4. Secure your packages - If you are expecting a package to be delivered while you are gone, have a trusted friend or family member pick up the package and hide it so it is not visible.

5. Be alarmed - Utilize a security system. If you have cameras make sure they are activated while you are gone.

The Walker Police Department hopes that these tips can help you have a safe and joyful holiday season. As always, if you see any suspicious activity please call us. We hope you all have a happy and safe holiday season.

Fire Department Updates

It’s fun to decorate for the winter holidays, but holiday decorations can increase your risk for a home fire. As you deck the halls this season, be fire smart.

Try Us FREE for 7 Days!

Are you interested in a gym membership? You can try out our facility FREE for 7 days. Anyone 18 years and older, an area resident, and a first-time visitor to our facility is welcome to do this! You will have access to all our amenities during this week. That means the indoor track, cardio equipment, extensive free weights, and more are yours to try FREE! Call (616) 735-6286 or click here for more info.

Walker Branch is Expanding!

Kent District Library and the Walker Branch team are excited that the library is expanding! To make way for the construction to be completed, the library will be moving to a temporary location.  

• January 18, 2025: Last day for the current library to be open. The move to the temporary library is expected to take about two weeks. During this brief time, please use any of the 19 other KDL locations. 
• February 2025: Library services will resume in the temporary location at 445 Standale Plaza NW, Walker, MI 49534.

Visit the Walker Library Extreme Makeover page for more information about the library expansion and to keep up to date with details about the move to the Walker Temporary Library. 

Due to on-site construction work and in preparation for the library move, programming is pausing at the Walker Branch.  Walker patrons are welcome to enjoy winter programming at KDL’s other 19 libraries. For details, visit KDL’s Events page.  You can also participate in one of our ongoing reading programs! 

Let It Snow Winter Reading Club

Snuggle up with a good book this winter! Sign up for the challenge starting December 1st, using the Beanstack app or learn more on our website. Stop inside the branch to get a copy of the reading tracking log.

Legendary Readers

There’s still time to sign up for our Legendary Readers reading program for children in grades K-5. Participants are asked to read, write or visit the library for 100 days throughout the school year (outside of the classroom). Completers will win a fun prize and be entered to win a grand prize. That’s one hundred days of reading for a chance to win a $100 gift card from Schuler Books! Stop in the library to pick up a reading log for your child or visit our Legendary Readers page to get started.