Matt Messer

Holland is the All-American City with a Dutch accent located near the shores of Lake Michigan on Lake Macatawa in the western region of the Lower Peninsula of the U.S. State of Michigan. It was incorporated as a city in 1867 by its first mayor, Isaac Cappon. Today it utilizes a council/manager form of government. The day-to-day operations of the city are under the supervision of the City Manager and his/her staff. Holland's City Council is comprised of a mayor and eight city council members. The Mayor serves a two-year term, while two "at large"​ council members and six "ward"​ council members each serve four-year terms. The city is home to the annual Tulip Time festival, a celebration of Dutch heritage, Hope College, a private four-year liberal arts college, and the most extensive "snowmelt"​ system, covering more than 500,000 square feet of downtown Holland.