Grand Rapids comptroller loses reelection after suing city over duty transfer

Overview

Updated 1 hour ago

Max Frantz lost his reelection bid for Grand Rapids city comptroller to David Bulkowski, WOODTV reported on Nov. 4, 2026. Frantz had sued the city after it moved 13 accounting and auditing staff and later transferred comptroller duties to the city manager.

The race turned on whether the comptroller remains an independent financial watchdog or becomes a smaller office under the city manager. Bulkowski campaigned on doing the core auditing job and opening the budget process to residents.

Why it matters

The result will shape who audits Grand Rapids spending and whether the comptroller can act independently of the city manager.

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Key Indicators

Staff reassigned from comptroller office

The city moved 13 accounting and auditing staff out of the comptroller's office in 2024.

75%

Comptroller office budget cut

The city cut the office budget by three-quarters in 2025 while transferring duties to the city manager.

$32,017

Frantz campaign funds raised

Incumbent Max Frantz raised $32,017.45, according to a campaign finance report summarized by GRIID.

$12,980

Bulkowski campaign funds raised

Challenger David Bulkowski raised $12,980, according to the same campaign finance report.

Voices

Curated perspectives — historical figures and your fellow readers.

People Involved

Max Frantz

Grand Rapids City Comptroller, 2019-2026

Lost reelection; sued city over duty transfer

David Bulkowski

Grand Rapids City Comptroller-elect; executive director of Disability Advocates of Kent County

Won 2026 comptroller election

Organizations Involved

Grand Rapids City Comptroller

Elected city office

At center of dispute over audit independence

Elected office responsible for auditing city departments, keeping the books, and reporting on city finances.

City of Grand Rapids

Municipal government

Moved comptroller duties to city manager in 2025

Municipal government that reassigned comptroller staff and transferred comptroller duties to the city manager.

Disability Advocates of Kent County

Nonprofit

Employer of comptroller-elect David Bulkowski

Nonprofit where comptroller-elect David Bulkowski serves as executive director.

Timeline

2019 November 2026

6 events Latest: Today

Tap a bar to jump to that date

November 2026
Bulkowski defeats Frantz
Today Election result

WOODTV reported Bulkowski defeated incumbent Frantz in the comptroller race.
Today
October 2026
Campaign finance report released
Campaign finance

Report showed Frantz raised $32,017 and Bulkowski $12,980.
October 26th, 2026
2025
Duties shifted to city manager
Administrative change

The city transferred comptroller duties to the city manager and cut the office budget by three-quarters.
2025
2024
City reassigns comptroller staff
Administrative change

The city moved 13 accounting and auditing staff from the comptroller's office.
2024
2022
Frantz elected comptroller
Election

Voters elected Max Frantz to the comptroller office.
2022
2019
Frantz appointed comptroller
Appointment

Max Frantz was appointed Grand Rapids city comptroller.
2019

Scenarios

Bulkowski wins restoration of comptroller audit powers

Possible Resolves by Jul 1, 2027

Discussed by: Bulkowski campaign and critics of the 2025 duty transfer

If the City Commission votes to return auditing duties to the comptroller, Bulkowski would regain staff and authority the office lost in 2024 and 2025. The trigger would be a commission vote or budget measure that moves the 13 staff or audit functions back. Without that vote, the office remains reduced.

City manager keeps comptroller duties through 2027

Possible Resolves by Jul 1, 2027

Discussed by: City officials who supported the 2025 transfer

If the city's adopted budget keeps auditing staff under the city manager, Bulkowski would lead a smaller comptroller office with limited audit authority. The trigger is the fiscal 2028 budget or a commission decision not to reverse the transfer.

Frantz lawsuit ends without restoring comptroller duties

Uncertain Resolves by End of 2027

Discussed by: Legal observers and local reporters

Frantz's lawsuit over the duty transfer could be dismissed, settled, or decided in a way that does not return authority to the comptroller. A final court order or settlement would resolve it.

Historical Context

2 moments from history that rhyme with this story — and how they unfolded.

2024

Grand Rapids comptroller staff reassignment (2024)

The city reassigned 13 accounting and auditing staff from the comptroller's office. Comptroller Max Frantz challenged the move, arguing it weakened the office's ability to audit city spending independently.

Then

Frantz sued the city over the changes.

Now

The dispute set up the larger fight over the office's independence that shaped the 2026 election.

Why this matters now

The 2026 race turned on whether the comptroller can audit city spending without city manager control.

2025

Grand Rapids comptroller duty transfer (2025)

The city transferred comptroller duties to the city manager and cut the office budget by three-quarters, according to Wisevoter's summary of local reporting.

Then

Comptroller Max Frantz sued the city, arguing the transfer weakened independent financial oversight.

Now

The dispute became central to the 2026 comptroller election.

Why this matters now

The election result now determines who leads the reduced office and whether the transfer is reversed.