Grand Rapids official who oversaw taxpayer money says his powers were stripped after raising concerns

Lawsuit claims city leaders shifted financial oversight away from elected comptroller, raising concerns about transparency and accountability

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — The elected city comptroller of Grand Rapids says his office has been stripped of its core duties, raising concerns about government transparency, accountability and adherence to the city charter.

Max Frantz, who has served as city comptroller since 2019, said in an interview that responsibilities traditionally handled by his office — including issuing payments and accounting for taxpayer funds — were transferred to a division overseen by the city manager.

“The duties of the comptroller office, which is an elected office, were usurped by an unelected administrative office in the government,” Frantz said.

Frantz said the changes took effect in early 2025 after the city commission approved budget adjustments that significantly reduced his department’s staffing and funding. He said the comptroller’s office went from about 16 employees to just three, with most staff reassigned to a newly created accounting division under the city manager.

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Under Grand Rapids’ city charter, the comptroller is an elected position responsible for financial oversight, including signing checks and maintaining records of public spending. Frantz argues those duties cannot legally be transferred without voter approval.

“The city charter needs to be enforced,” he said. “We know that the duties belong in the comptroller’s office.”

Frantz has filed a lawsuit challenging the changes, saying they undermine voter-approved safeguards and weaken checks and balances in local government. He said he is funding the legal challenge with his own money.

According to reporting from Michigan Capitol Confidential, the city has said the restructuring was done in consultation with financial and legal officials and was intended to improve efficiency by consolidating financial operations under the city’s chief financial leadership.

However, Frantz disputes that explanation, saying the move eliminates an independent layer of oversight.

“It’s good to have separation of powers and checks and balances in government,” he said.

The dispute follows an incident in 2024 in which Frantz said his office flagged questionable spending involving city funds and referred the matter to law enforcement. The local prosecutor later declined to file charges.

Frantz suggested the timing of the restructuring raises concerns, though he said he cannot definitively speak to motivations.

“It certainly brings into question the timing of everything,” he said.

City officials did not respond to a request for an interview. In a prior public statement cited by Michigan Capitol Confidential, a city spokesperson said certain financial functions were reassigned based on operational considerations.

Frantz said the broader issue extends beyond his role, warning the situation could set a precedent for other municipalities across Michigan.

“This has huge implications for local units of government across the state,” he said.

The case could ultimately be decided in court, with Frantz seeking to restore the comptroller’s authority as outlined in the city charter.

The debate reflects longstanding principles dating back to the nation’s founding. As George Washington once wrote, “The necessity of reciprocal checks in the exercise of political power” is essential to preserving liberty.

For now, Frantz remains in office but says he is largely unable to perform the duties voters elected him to carry out.

“I report directly to the public,” he said. “But right now, those responsibilities are not in my office.”