City Manager Mark Washington's Extensive Travel Raises Questions

Grand Rapids City Manager Mark Washington spent $21,102 on city credit card travel in 2024, according to credit card receipts obtained through a records request by Michigan Capitol Confidential.

The spending included a $2,888 trip to Belgium in May 2024, where Washington stayed at Duke's Palace, a five-star hotel, to attend the International City/County Management Association's Global Exchange conference.

Washington also traveled to numerous U.S. destinations including Austin and Houston, Texas; Indian Wells, California; Baltimore, Maryland; Mackinac Island; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; New Jersey; and Washington, D.C. The total came to $17,206.81 in U.S. travel expenses, with additional fees paid to the Economic Club of Grand Rapids, the Michigan Municipal League, and for parking and rental car fees.

City Responds to Reports

While Michigan Capitol Confidential reported that the city's comptroller flagged some of Washington's spending as irregular in 2024, a Grand Rapids spokesman pushed back on the characterization of the expenses.

"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, said in an email.

The exchange focused on pedestrian and transit solutions, urban innovation, and emerging technologies, including participation in a European AI summit. The ICMA covered Washington's conference registration fees, Guitar said.

"The information Washington learned will help Grand Rapids create policies that involve mobility, technology and urban development," Guitar added. "Sub-national diplomacy is a priority for Grand Rapids, reflected in programs such as Sister Cities. Participation in ICMA exchanges strengthens global partnerships that inform local policy and service improvements."

Guitar said ICMA set the itinerary and lodging for the delegation, in which Washington represented Grand Rapids and the Midwest region. In accordance with ICMA 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," Guitar said. "Average lodging cost per night was $170, which is comparable to the cost of mid-range business hotels in the U.S."

Context: Ongoing Tension With Comptroller

The travel expense report comes amid ongoing tension between Washington and former Grand Rapids comptroller Max Frantz. In December 2025, Frantz filed a lawsuit alleging that 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, according to Michigan Capitol Confidential.

Credit Card Records Detail the Expenses

Michigan Capitol Confidential embedded 12 months of redacted credit card records showing Washington's expenses. The records show purchases across multiple destinations and business organizations.

The story was originally misstated regarding Washington's total travel expenses and incorrectly stated that Washington traveled to Fort Worth, which he did not. Michigan Capitol Confidential has since corrected those errors.

Grand Rapids remains the second-largest city in Michigan as these expense questions continue to generate attention.

"If you know of stories that deserve more sunlight, please send your suggestions, along with supporting documents, to micapcon@mackinac.org," Michigan Capitol Confidential noted.

The story was reported by Michigan Capitol Confidential, a nonprofit news service published by the Mackinac Center for Public Policy.