Kalamazoo County - Committee of the Whole - April 21, 2026 Committee of the Whole Meeting

Updated about 10 hours ago

The board deliberates on a proposed childcare millage aimed at addressing significant childcare challenges within the county. Commissioners engage in a detailed discussion regarding the millage's duration, its target age range of 0-5 years, and the potential financial impact on local taxpayers. Public comments reflect both strong support and concerns about additional tax burdens. The meeting highlights the need for strategic investment to improve childcare affordability and quality, with considerations of economic pressures faced by families.

Chapters

Call to Order (00:00:17)
The Kalamazoo County Board of Commissioners Committee of the Whole meeting is called to order.

The meeting is called to order at 4:00 PM by the chair of the Kalamazoo County Board of Commissioners Committee of the Whole.
Roll Call (00:00:21)
Roll call is conducted, and it is noted that Commissioner Wheeler is absent due to attending a conference.

The clerk conducts the roll call, with Commissioners Delo, Gisler, Heppler, Mazer, Morales, Rey, Clinton, Strebs, Taylor present. Commissioner Wheeler is absent, attending a 'Women in Fire' conference.
Public Comments (00:01:08)
Several members of the community provide public comments regarding a proposed childcare millage.

The public comment session allows individuals to express their views on the proposed childcare millage. Speakers include Andy Richards from Duncan Aviation, Dr. Sharmi Nichols, Andrea MIMA Maclin from United Way, and many others. The comments highlight issues such as the lack of affordable childcare, the impact on working families, and the importance of supporting early childhood education. There is also a counterpoint presented by Raymond Wilson, who argues against the tax increase, representing 'Taxpayers for Accountability.' The session is extensive, with multiple perspectives shared.
Public Comments on Childcare Millage (00:32:40)
Several community members expressed strong support for a childcare millage proposal, emphasizing its importance for economic and educational benefits.

Community members, including Ms. Keisha, Toby Hamma Davies, and Brooke Linley, spoke in favor of the childcare millage. Ms. Keisha stressed the need for it to be on the ballot, Toby Hamma Davies highlighted her experience in early childhood education and the benefits of high-quality preschool, referencing the High Scope Perry Preschool study. Brooke Linley, a non-parent homeowner, supported the millage as a worthwhile investment, comparing it to other common expenses like Netflix subscriptions.
Closure of Public Comment Session (00:38:34)
The opportunity for public comment was closed after no further commenters came forward.

The chair asked if there were any additional public comments. Seeing none, the public comment session was officially closed.
Annual Report by Clerk and Register of Deeds (00:38:39)
Meredith Place provided a comprehensive annual report highlighting the office's achievements and ongoing initiatives to improve service and transparency.

Meredith Place presented the annual report, highlighting significant achievements in records management, customer service improvements, and election administration. She discussed advances in digitization and efforts to enhance public access to records. Place also noted the office's focus on transparency and accountability, acknowledging the hard work of her staff and their commitment to serving the community effectively.
Review of Accounts Payable and Payroll Disbursements (00:51:00)
Finance Director Ryan Post presented the accounts payable claims list and offered to answer any questions from the board.

Ryan Post provided the accounts payable claims list for review, inviting questions from the commissioners. No questions were raised, and the list was accepted without further discussion.
Monthly Investment Report (00:52:53)
Tyler White presented the monthly investment report, discussing the portfolio's performance and the impact of inflation on returns.

Chief Deputy Treasurer Tyler White presented the monthly investment report, detailing the portfolio's earnings and the impact of recent economic conditions, including inflation and global events, on investment returns. He explained the strategy of holding investments to maturity to avoid realized losses and provided context on current market conditions and future expectations.
Discussion on Exxon RMS Contract Funding (01:00:11)
Under Sheriff Greenley proposed reallocating leftover CIP funds to support the first year of the Exxon RMS contract.

Under Sheriff Greenley discussed the need for a new Record Management System (RMS) and proposed using unspent funds from completed Capital Improvement Projects (CIP) to cover the first year of costs. The plan includes reallocated funds from completed projects such as transcription services, geo door replacement, and MDT replacement. The ongoing funding strategy involves future CIP allocations, with discussions on potential impacts and the need for sustainable long-term funding solutions.
Infrastructure and Software Challenges (01:09:26)
Discussion on ongoing infrastructure issues, focusing on outdated software needing replacement, and the financial strategies to address these challenges.

The meeting addressed the recurring infrastructure crises, particularly the inefficiency of existing software systems. Participants discussed the financial implications of replacing outdated software and the necessity of avoiding last-minute scrambles when issues arise. The conversation included potential funding sources, such as general funds or the Sheriff's budget, and the challenges of committing to multi-year expenses without a comprehensive plan, while maintaining other capital improvement needs.
Budget and Staffing Considerations (01:15:00)
Exploration of budget adjustments in staffing to free up funds, focusing on position freezes, turnover, and the use of contingency funds.

The discussion covered budget strategies concerning staffing, highlighting the challenges of position turnover and retention. It was suggested that freezing positions could free up funds for other uses, though this could lead to hiring challenges. The use of contingency funds for staffing needs was considered, with a commitment from the board to ensure positions that need filling can be justified in the budget process.
Overtime Budgeting and Salary Pool Management (01:18:00)
Debate on accurately budgeting for overtime expenses and managing salary pools, focusing on historical spending patterns to predict future needs.

The meeting debated the effectiveness of current budgeting practices for overtime, proposing a shift to more accurately reflect actual spending. The suggestion was to use historical data to inform budget allocations, particularly focusing on departments with high turnover like the Sheriff's department. This aimed to reduce surplus and better allocate funds by predicting realistic expenditure patterns over time.
Sheriff's Office Software Implementation Funding (01:27:00)
Evaluation of funding options for Sheriff's office software project, discussing reallocating CIP funds and exploring alternative financial strategies.

The Sheriff's office proposed reallocating existing CIP funds for a software project, which was short of total costs. The board discussed potential funding sources, including the general fund or other Sheriff's budget areas. The need for a comprehensive financial strategy was emphasized, and further discussions with the Sheriff's office were planned to address funding gaps and ensure project success.
Childcare Early Learning Millage Proposal Discussion (01:33:00)
First reading of a resolution to put a childcare millage on the ballot, focusing on the importance of affordable, high-quality childcare for the community.

The board conducted the first reading of a resolution to authorize a ballot proposal for a childcare early learning millage. The proposal aimed to address the lack of affordable childcare, which impacts working families and the economy. The board emphasized that the decision to implement the millage would rest with voters, highlighting the economic and social benefits of supporting early childhood programs.
Discussion on Countywide Millage Proposal (01:43:09)
Commissioners discuss the proposal to put a countywide millage on the ballot, debating whether the decision should be left to voters.

Commissioner Dilu supports putting the millage in the ballot, arguing that voters should decide. Vice Chair agrees, emphasizing the importance of letting the community decide on the investment required to address systemic failures.
Addressing Systemic Failures and Community Investment (01:47:07)
The discussion highlights the need for collective investment to address systemic failures, with a focus on improving community support systems.

Commissioners discuss the systemic failures affecting the community, such as rising wages, support for retirees, and foreclosure prevention. They emphasize the need for collective investment and action to address these issues and consider putting a proposal on the ballot to let voters decide.
Childcare Access and Income Qualifications (01:51:00)
Commissioners discuss income qualifications for childcare programs and the need for flexibility to support middle-class families.

Commissioner Morales raises concerns about income qualifications for childcare programs, suggesting that it would be beneficial to include middle-class families who are financially pinched. The need for flexibility in the age range and qualifications is emphasized to better support families and childcare providers.
Teacher Wages and Childcare Provider Support (01:54:31)
Discussion on the importance of providing wage boosts for teachers and stabilizing childcare programs.

Beth Bergland from Michigan Transformation Collective explains the significance of providing wage boosts to teachers in community-based childcare programs. The discussion highlights the need for flexibility in funding to support teachers and address gaps in childcare access, especially during the summer months.
Tax Implications of Millages and Homeowner Impact (02:00:00)
Commissioners discuss how millages affect taxes and the implications for homeowners over time.

The discussion covers how reauthorizing millages impacts the amount families pay over time, with Beth Bergland explaining the interaction with the Headley Amendment and the importance of considering housing values when calculating future millage impacts.
Addressing Wage Inequality and Economic Challenges (02:03:00)
The focus shifts to wage inequality and economic challenges, with calls for systemic change to address underlying issues.

Commissioners discuss the broader issue of wage inequality and the need for systemic change to address economic challenges faced by working families. The importance of businesses providing living wages is emphasized, alongside the need for strategic initiatives to address these challenges.
Future Actions and Ballot Proposal Considerations (02:09:00)
Discussion on future actions regarding the ballot proposal and potential matching funds to alleviate tax burdens.

Commissioner Morales proposes considering matching funds to reduce tax burdens if the millage proposal does not pass. The discussion includes considerations for future actions and the importance of addressing community priorities through the budget process.
Motion on Millage Term Reduction (02:12:00)
A motion is made to revise the millage term from six years to five years, with further discussion postponed.

Commissioner Morales moves to revise the language of the millage proposal to reduce the term from six years to five years. Vice Chair suggests postponing the vote to allow for further discussion, and the motion is rescinded for later consideration.
Motion to Enter Closed Session (02:13:46)
A motion was made and supported to enter closed session under section 8 H of the Michigan MCL for legal opinion discussion.

The meeting involved a motion by the vice chair pro tem to enter into a closed session under section 8 H of the Michigan MCL. This was for the purpose of considering a written legal opinion concerning the Michigan Urban Cooperation Act. The motion was supported by Commissioner Morales. A roll call vote was conducted, and the motion carried unanimously, allowing the board to move into a closed session.