Grand Rapids City Manager Mark Washington Spent $21,102 on Travel in 2024 After Comptroller Previously Flagged Irregular Spending
Grand Rapids City Manager Mark Washington spent $21,102 on travel expenses in 2024, including a $2,888 trip to Belgium for an ICMA conference, after the city comptroller previously flagged irregular spending.
Grand Rapids City Manager Mark Washington Spent $21,102 on Travel in 2024 After Comptroller Previously Flagged Irregular Spending
Grand Rapids, Michigan — Grand Rapids City Manager Mark Washington traveled extensively on taxpayer money throughout 2024, spending $21,102 on credit card transactions for flights, hotels, and travel-related expenses, according to records obtained through a news request.
The spending came after the city's comptroller flagged some of Washington's spending as irregular in late 2024. That scrutiny led to a December 2025 lawsuit filed by former comptroller Max Frantz, in which he alleged the city stripped him of 13 employees, many of his duties, and $1.3 million in funding.
Belgium Trip and International Travel
Washington's most notable trip occurred in May 2024, when he traveled to Belgium to attend the International City/County Management Association's Global Exchange conference. The five-star Duke's Palace hotel hosted Washington during his visit to the International City/County Management Association's Global Exchange.
He spent $2,888 on the Belgian trip, with an average lodging cost per night of $170, which a city spokesman compared to mid-range business hotels in the United States.
During the conference, Washington participated in meetings with officials from Bruges and other Belgian municipalities. The exchange focused on pedestrian and transit solutions, urban innovation, and emerging technologies, including participation in a European AI summit.
"City Manager Mark Washington traveled to Belgium in May 2024 as part of the International City/County Management Association's (ICMA) Global Exchange, undertaken in his role as an appointed member of ICMA's Global Engagement Committee," Steve Guitar, a Grand Rapids spokesman, told Michigan Capitol Confidential. "The exchange focused on pedestrian and transit solutions, urban innovation, and emerging technologies, including participation in a European AI summit."
Domestic Travel and Conference Fees
Washington's domestic travel took him to Austin, Houston, and Fort Worth in Texas; Indian Wells, California; Baltimore, Maryland; Mackinac Island; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; New Jersey; and Washington, D.C.
The city manager also paid fees to the Economic Club of Grand Rapids and the Michigan Municipal League. His expenses included parking and rental car fees across the 12 months of credit card records reviewed.
"Sub-national diplomacy is a priority for Grand Rapids, reflected in programs such as Sister Cities," Guitar said. "Participation in ICMA exchanges strengthens global partnerships that inform local policy and service improvements."
ICMA Conference Costs
The ICMA conference registration fees were covered for Washington, but he remained responsible for his own travel, lodging, and related expenses under his employer's policies.
"ICMA set the itinerary and lodging for the delegation, in which Mr. Washington represented Grand Rapids and the Midwest region," Guitar explained. "In accordance with ICMA's program guidelines, participants are responsible for their own travel, lodging, and related expenses under their employer's policies."
Total cost to the City for the Belgium exchange was $2,888, with Washington representing the Midwest region at the conference.
Context on Comptroller Lawsuit
The travel expenses came to light during a broader controversy involving the city's financial oversight. Former comptroller Max Frantz filed a December 2025 lawsuit alleging the city stripped him of 13 employees, many of his duties, and $1.3 million in funding.
In 2024, the city's comptroller flagged some of Washington's spending as irregular. Shortly thereafter, the situation escalated into legal proceedings that could impact how the city manages its financial oversight going forward.
Grand Rapids is the second-largest city in the state, and officials continue to defend the city manager's international travel as beneficial for policy development and global partnerships.
The full credit card records, redacted for privacy, show 73 transactions totaling $21,102 across all travel categories during 2024.
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