As we begin 2025 and look forward to what the new year will bring us in Walker, it will be much of the same that 2024 brought us (minus the election season!). You will see continued investments in our public safety teams. This remains a high priority of our current City commission - whether in terms of people, equipment, or new technologies.

You will also see continued vigilance over the City’s strong fiscal position. We put ourselves in a good spot by focusing on investing in the right priorities and in the right way and not being burdened by piles of debt. Our current position of strength did not happen by accident.

Another top area of consistent focus will be promoting commercial and industrial development. Business growth and additional jobs remain the fuel for our local economy.

Focusing on more housing is also near the top of the list. Others either want to live here or maybe do not want to leave Walker, yet they want to experience a new place they can call home. That housing needs to be at different price points without negatively impacting others.

Lastly, we must continue focusing on the quality of life synonymous with Walker's brand and reputation. This includes parks and trails, community events, and even roads and infrastructure. We need to ensure that Walker always remains “a great place to live, work, and grow.”



We are introducing a new communication method as we start the new year - our City’s first-ever podcast series, “Made in Walker.” With social media continuing to mature and, at times, lose its effectiveness in sharing accurate, positive, and relevant news, we believe we have to find an additional way to connect all of us with the people, the stories, and the ideas that are shaping our community. There will be several different people and topics that will be a part of this in 2025, and I encourage you to look for those details in the coming weeks!

As we rinse and repeat in the beginning what will be another great year in Walker, I would like to wish all of you the most joyous and prosperous of years! Thank you to all for making the choice in one way or another to call Walker home.

Mayor Gary Carey, Jr

Clerk's Office Updates

Passports

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

For more information visit our website at www.WalkerMI.gov/passports or visit the U.S Department of States website at www.travel.state.gov

Business Licenses

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 into 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)

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 April 30, 2025.

Forms for 2024 returns will be available by January 1, 2025 on our website at: www.walkermi.gov/taxforms

I need help

We will be happy to help with questions or payments by email or phone. Please e-mail incometax@walker.city 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 that 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.

Important Dates:

As we prepare to relocate the Walker Branch to a temporary space in Standale to make way for construction on the Walker Branch, in-person services and hold-pickup locations will change:

• December 30 – The current Walker Branch will be temporarily unavailable to choose for new hold pickups. You may choose any of the other 19 KDL locations as your hold pickup location.
• January 8 – Last day materials will be added to the shelves for hold pickup. If you have a hold request scheduled to be picked up at Walker, it will be paused until the temporary location opens.
• January 18 – Last day that the current Walker Branch will be open. Last day to pick up holds, return materials and use the book drop. Please pick up/drop off items by 5 pm. You may choose any of the other 19 KDL locations to return materials.
• February 3 – The temporary Walker location will open at 445 Standale Plaza NW, Walker, MI 49534. This location will be a new option for hold pickups, named “Walker Temporary.”

What if you have materials on hold now for pickup at Walker?

Holds will continue to be on the hold shelf for 10 days from their arrival in the branch. Expiration dates for pick up will be listed on your notification messages. January 18 is the final day to pick up holds that arrived on January 8.

If you need help:

• Call (616) 784-2007 or email contact@kdl.org
• Use the online chat at kdl.org
• Ask any KDL staff member at the library

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. 

Public Works & Engineering Updates

Police Department Updates

The snow is starting to fly and the roads are getting slick. The Walker Police Department hopes you all drive safe as we make our way through another Michigan winter.



1. Slow Down and Increase Following Distance: Snow and ice make roads slippery, reducing traction and increasing stopping distances. Always drive at a slower speed than usual and maintain a greater distance between your vehicle and others.

2. Use Your Headlights:

In snowy or icy conditions, visibility can be severely reduced. Turn on your headlights to improve your visibility to other drivers and ensure your own ability to see the road clearly.

3. Avoid Sudden Movements:

Sudden acceleration, braking, or sharp turns can cause your vehicle to lose traction on icy roads. Drive smoothly by gently applying the accelerator and brake and make gradual turns to avoid skidding.

4. Check Tire Condition and Tire Pressure:

Proper tire maintenance is crucial in winter driving. Make sure your tires have sufficient tread depth to grip the road and are properly inflated. Consider using winter tires, which are designed for cold, snowy, and icy conditions, to improve traction.

5. Know How to Correct a Skid:

If your vehicle starts to skid, remain calm and avoid slamming on the brakes. Steer in the direction you want the front of the vehicle to go. If you're driving a vehicle with rear-wheel drive, gently pump the brakes. For front-wheel drive vehicles, apply steady, gentle pressure to the brakes. Always let the car regain control before trying to accelerate again.



Always remember, Ice and Snow take it slow. All of us here at the Walker Police Department hope you had a safe and fun Christmas, and we look forward to what 2025 will bring!

Fire Department Updates

Portable Generators and Winter Storms

Portable generators are useful during winter storms, but if not used safely, they can cause injuries or death.

· Use portable generators outdoors in well-ventilated areas away from all doors, windows, and vents.

· Make sure you have carbon monoxide alarms in your home.

· Do not use a generator in a wet area. This can cause shock or electrocution.

· Connect appliances to the generator with heavy-duty extension cords.

· Do not fuel your generator when it is running. Spilling gas on a hot engine can cause a fire.

Carbon Monoxide Safety

More than 150 people in the U.S. die every year from accidental non fire-related carbon monoxide poisoning. Carbon monoxide or CO is a colorless and odorless gas. CO poisoning can occur when a fuel-burning appliance or machine, such as a furnace, heater or generator, is not working or venting properly. Breathing in CO at high levels can be fatal.



Learn what you can do to protect your family from the dangers of CO.

· Install and maintain CO alarms inside your home to provide early warning of CO.

· Install CO alarms in a central location outside each separate sleeping area and on every level of your home.

· Use portable generators outdoors in well-ventilated areas away from all doors, windows, and vents.

· Make sure vents for the dryer, furnace, stove and fireplace are clear of snow and debris.

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 Chamber

Recognize Excellence in our Community

The Walker Chamber is collecting your nominations for outstanding businesses, individuals, and organizations for the inaugural Walker Chamber Awards Night on February 20, 2025. Your participation is vital in celebrating the achievements and contributions that make Walker an incredible place to live, work, and grow!  Click here to begin nominations.

Route 33 Improvements

The Rapid is improving Route 33 to make your commute even better! Route 33, which services 3 Mile and Walker's Industrial District, will now feature midday trips and am/pm 30-minute service to the Walker Industrial area, providing improved access and shorter commutes.

After 5 PM, evening departures leaving Rapid Central Station and Kentwood Station will shift (or “knockback”) by 5 minutes to improve customer and operator transfer connections and reduce delays during the evening rush period.