Kalamazoo County - Committee of the Whole - September 1, 2026 Committee of the Whole Meeting

Updated about 5 hours ago

The Board reviews budget recommendations for the upcoming year, including adjustments to revenue assumptions and expenditure priorities. The board also reviews the success of the recent Kalamazoo County Fair and considers changes to the county holiday calendar, specifically replacing the election day holiday with Indigenous People's Day. Additionally, the board contemplates establishing a childcare millage ad hoc committee and discusses protocols for road commissioner vacancies. The meeting highlights community engagement efforts and the strategic planning needed to address county priorities effectively.

Chapters

Public Comment on Daycare Millage (00:00:21)
Frank Bowman expressed concerns about the daycare millage affecting seniors on fixed incomes.

Frank Bowman from Climax, Michigan, raised concerns about the daycare millage and its impact on seniors, arguing that it places an undue financial burden on those with fixed incomes. He questioned why non-homeowners were allowed to vote on the millage and suggested exempting seniors from such financial obligations. He emphasized the importance of common sense and living within one's means over financial assistance.
Public Comment on 4-H Program (00:09:33)
Veronica Paul Heiss praised the impact of the 4-H program on youth development.

Veronica Paul Heiss, the 4-H program coordinator from Kalamazoo, shared positive feedback from parents about the 4-H program, highlighting its role in youth development and community building. She described the county fair as a significant event for 4-H participants, offering them opportunities to learn and grow. Parents shared stories of their children's achievements and personal growth through the program.
Public Comment on Tourism Master Plan (00:14:22)
Jane from Discover Kalamazoo urged participation in a tourism survey to help develop a master plan.

Jane Ghosh from Discover Kalamazoo presented a QR code survey to the board, asking for their participation to understand their experiences with local tourism assets. The feedback will contribute to developing a destination master plan for tourism in Kalamazoo County. She encouraged the board to try new tourism experiences and to share the survey with others.
Review of Accounts Payable and Payroll Disbursements (00:16:30)
Finance Director presented the accounts payable claims list for board review.

Mr. Ramos, the Finance Director, presented the accounts payable claims list for the board's review. He addressed questions from the commissioners regarding specific expenditures, including a subscription cost for diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives.
Preview of Interim Administrator's Recommended Budget (00:19:00)
Terrell Cole presented the interim administrator's recommended budget, focusing on revenue adjustments and expenditure priorities.

Terrell Cole, the interim county administrator, provided a detailed preview of the recommended budget. The presentation covered revenue adjustments, including property tax growth and investment income. Cole outlined expenditure priorities, focusing on public safety, community stability, and employee retention. Cole discussed strategic initiatives and operational efficiencies, emphasizing a cautious and sustainable approach to budgeting.
Budget Discussion (00:39:19)
Discussion on budget requests and step increases for employees, with a focus on priorities and community investments.

The meeting continued with a detailed discussion about budget requests and the focus on priorities for community investments. The Vice Chair expressed interest in understanding the number of employees who would not receive a step increase within their pay scale. There was mention of the importance of community investments and encouraging collaboration between municipal governments for housing solutions.
Parks and Recreation Update (00:45:01)
Presentation by the Parks Director on the recent fair, its successes, and future plans for improvement and expansion.

The Parks Director, Dave Rachowicz, presented an update on the recent county fair. The fair was a five-day event featuring live shows, fair food, and various attractions. The presentation highlighted community involvement and financial outcomes, noting the fair's success in increasing attendance and revenue. Plans for future improvements and potential expansions were discussed.
Resolution Discussion: Childcare Millage Ad Hoc Committee (01:05:22)
Discussion on forming a Childcare Millage Ad Hoc Committee to implement the childcare millage plan with community input and board appointments.

The Health Officer presented a draft resolution for the establishment of a Childcare Millage Ad Hoc Committee. The discussion focused on the application process for committee members and the importance of selecting a diverse group to ensure varied perspectives and effective implementation of the childcare millage plan.
Discussion on Resolution Draft (01:09:37)
Commissioners discuss the value of diverse perspectives for the resolution draft, emphasizing the inclusion of lived experiences and small business insights.

The discussion focused on how different perspectives, including those with lived experiences and small business backgrounds, can contribute valuable insights to the resolution draft. Commissioners were encouraged to consider these diverse viewpoints to build a better system.
Feedback on Resolution Draft (01:11:00)
Commissioner Gisler provides feedback, expressing mixed feelings about losing a key member of OSAC to the new task force.

Commissioner Gisler shared his concerns about potentially losing Cassie, a valuable OSAC member, to the new task force. He emphasized her exceptional organizational skills and expressed a desire for her continued involvement.
Task Force Questions and Timeline (01:12:00)
The task force is asked to answer questions by March next year, with time for review and feedback before final draft.

The board has tasked the task force with answering specific questions related to the resolution by March of next year. Commissioners are asked to review the questions and provide feedback to ensure all necessary information is gathered for the final draft.
Discussion on Holiday Calendar Changes (01:13:00)
Proposal to replace Election Day holiday with Indigenous People's Day to reflect DEI efforts and operational benefits.

The proposal to replace the Election Day holiday with Indigenous People's Day was discussed. This change aims to honor Indigenous cultures and address operational challenges associated with midweek closures. The proposal is part of broader DEI initiatives.
Proposal for Voting Time Off Benefit (01:15:00)
A new benefit allowing up to two hours off to vote on general election days is discussed, focusing on operational impacts and costs.

The board considered a proposal for a new employee benefit allowing up to two hours off to vote on general election days. The discussion included potential operational impacts, cost estimates, and how this benefit would align with existing time-off policies.
Discussion on Expanding Voting Benefit (01:20:00)
Commissioners discuss expanding the voting benefit to other elections and potential impacts on civic engagement.

The board discussed the possibility of expanding the voting benefit to include primary and special elections. Concerns about costs, operational impacts, and the potential benefits of increased civic engagement were considered.
Resolution on Road Commissioner Vacancy Protocol (01:33:00)
Discussion on amending the resolution for Road Commissioner vacancy protocol to streamline processes and address residency changes.

The board reviewed proposed amendments to the resolution for handling vacancies on the Road Commission. The changes aim to streamline the process, clarify responsibilities, and address situations where commissioners change residency.
Discussion on Board Appointments and Term Extensions (01:37:50)
The board discussed the process and implications of extending terms for board members who have moved out of district, including potential policy changes.

The meeting focused on the process for handling board members who have moved out of their appointing district. It was discussed that, currently, members may continue serving until replaced, but there's concern about fairness if members serve long periods outside their district. Various opinions were expressed, including the need for timeline constraints on replacements and the possibility of members serving the remainder of a term even after moving. The discussion highlighted the importance of having fair and consistent policies to ensure proper representation on the board, while also considering the administrative process of appointing new members.
Adjournment (01:49:49)
The meeting was adjourned with no closed session following the discussion on board appointments.

Following the detailed discussion about board appointments and potential policy changes, the meeting was adjourned. There was no closed session scheduled, and the meeting concluded without further items addressed.