September 15, 2026 Kalamazoo County Committee of the Whole

Updated about 18 hours ago

The board addresses public comments and reviews financial reports, including accounts payable and payroll disbursements. Discussions focus on various proposals, such as the preview of the administrator's recommended fiscal budget, updates to the responsible bidder policy, and a new paid leave benefit to vote on general election days. The board also considers continued funding and planning for the county fair, favoring option one to build on the previous year's success. Additionally, the meeting explores approaches to community grants, weighing balanced tiered funding against impact-based models. Election day benefits, community engagement, and public participation remain key themes throughout the session.

Chapters

Public Comment (00:00:01)
Citizens have the opportunity to address the Board of Commissioners.

This agenda item provides time for citizens to address the board of commissioners. Citizens are asked to provide their name and location, and they have up to four minutes to speak. The board checks if there are any online participants wishing to speak. There are no public comments at this time.
Review of Accounts Payable and Payroll Disbursement (00:00:30)
The board reviews the accounts payable and payroll disbursement.

Director Post presents the accounts payable and payroll disbursement report to the board. The board of commissioners reviews this financial report and welcomes any questions from the commissioners. There are no questions from the commissioners at this time.
Monthly Financial Report (00:01:27)
Presentation of the monthly financial report with insights into revenues and expenditures.

The board receives the monthly financial report, prepared for the floor and administration. The report shows that revenues are slightly behind by a couple of percent, but this is not a major concern. The expenses side is within less than a percent, indicating that the budget is on track. A new section has been added to the report to summarize total expenditures and back out transfers, as requested by the vice chair. The board is invited to ask questions about the financial report.
Monthly Investment Report (00:03:41)
Tyler White presents the monthly investment report and strategy discussion.

Tyler White presents the monthly investment report, discussing the par and market values which have decreased since July. He explains that the variance only impacts the bottom line if the portfolio is liquidated, as the strategy is to hold assets to maturity to avoid realized losses. The report includes all realized gains and losses, amortization of premiums and discounts, and effective rate of return. White discusses the economic context, including inflation and its effects on investments, and answers questions from the board about investment strategies and interest rates.
Discussion on Proposed Updates to Responsible Bidder Policy (00:19:24)
Victoria Barboza introduces proposed updates to the Responsible Bidder Policy and CMAR contract.

Victoria Barboza presents the proposed updates to the Responsible Bidder Policy, including a consolidated section for evaluation criteria and submission requirements. She introduces a proposal submission template for vendors and discusses the CMAR contract template. Three local incentive policy options are presented for board decision. The updates aim to improve transparency and standardization in the procurement process, ensuring clear expectations for local participation in projects. The board is asked to review and consider the options presented.
Discussion on Allowance for Local Subcontractor Premiums (00:37:35)
The board discussed setting an allowance for local subcontractor premiums with flexibility in funding.

The board discussed establishing an upfront allowance to offset eligible local subcontractor premiums. If the allowance is insufficient, the department or project manager may evaluate value engineering or other savings to make additional funding available without increasing the overall budget. If multiple local subcontractor premiums cannot all be funded, the department will prioritize funding based on the greatest overall benefit to the project. Flexibility in funding allocation was emphasized.
Consideration of Living Wage and Project Funding (00:40:00)
Discussion on ensuring projects pay a living wage to workers and aligning project values with board values.

The board discussed the importance of paying a living wage to workers involved in building projects. It was emphasized that projects should not proceed if workers are not paid wages that support their families. The focus should be on what can be built with the values that the board holds, rather than solely on funding sources.
Review of Recommendations and Committee Involvement (00:42:01)
The board reviewed recommendations and suggested returning them to the committee for further evaluation.

The board acknowledged the work done by the committee over the past years and reviewed the recommendations presented. It was suggested that the recommendations be sent back to the committee for further evaluation and to come up with a proposal for the board of commissioners.
Clarification on Living Wage Definition (00:43:31)
Clarification was sought on the definition of a living wage.

Commissioner Gisler asked for a definition of a living wage, highlighting the vagueness of the term. Vice chair explained that a living wage is one that allows workers to raise a family, referencing Davis Bacon as a close example. However, it was noted that Davis Bacon includes many classifications that can complicate projects, and a simplified classification might better define a living wage.
Public Comment and Concerns on Project Bidding (00:46:00)
Commissioners discussed the importance of fair bidding processes and public concerns.

Commissioner Wheeler expressed concerns over making the bidding process too complex for local bidders. It was emphasized that the bidding process should be fair and transparent to ensure taxpayer dollars are used wisely. The importance of evaluating the financial and skill capabilities of contractors was noted.
Motion to Reconvene Ad Hoc Committee (00:48:00)
A motion was made to reconvene the responsible bidder ad hoc committee.

Vice chair pro tempore moved to call a meeting of the responsible bidder ad hoc committee to review the recommendations and bring a proposal back to the board. The motion was discussed and supported, with commissioners volunteering for committee involvement.
Discussion on Indigent Equipment Funding (00:49:00)
Director discussed the need for recurring funding for electronic monitoring indigent fund.

Director Barboza presented the need for a dedicated, recurring fund for electronic monitoring devices for indigent individuals, as ARPA funding is ending. Commissioners discussed the importance of this program to keep people out of jail while being monitored and the potential cost savings.
Update on Bylaws Revisions (00:56:00)
Corporation council updated the board on revisions to the bylaws and rules of procedure.

The corporation council presented updates to the board's bylaws, including clarifications on board membership, officer elections, special counsel appointments, live streaming, and public comment procedures. Commissioners discussed changes, including live streaming language and public comment restrictions.
Proposal for Paid Leave to Vote on Election Day (01:06:00)
Discussion on offering a two-hour paid benefit for voting on general election day.

HR presented a proposal for a two-hour paid leave benefit on even-year general election days to encourage voting. The estimated cost was discussed, noting it would be revenue neutral as it replaces work hours with voting hours. Commissioners considered the proposal's impact on operations and employee participation.
Discussion on Two-Hour Voting Benefit (01:07:45)
Commissioners debated the proposal of granting employees two hours of paid leave for voting, with some concerns about operational impacts and suggestions for refinement.

The meeting featured a discussion on the proposed policy to grant employees two hours of paid leave to vote. Several commissioners expressed concerns about the operational impact of this policy, especially in departments where scheduling is tight. The proposal included a requirement for employees to give two weeks' notice if they intended to use the time off. Some commissioners suggested allowing the two hours during the early voting period to alleviate the burden on election day. The discussion also touched on the financial implications of the policy, with the administration noting that the cost is more about lost productivity than direct financial outlay. The board seemed open to refining the proposal and bringing it back for further consideration.
County Fair Options Discussion (01:17:47)
The board discussed three options for the future of the county fair, with a consensus to continue with the current successful model and build on it.

The board was presented with three options for the future direction of the county fair: continuing with the current model that was successful this year, making the carnival the top priority which would require significant budget increases, or returning to a smaller 4-H showcase model. The consensus among the board, as well as community and advisory groups, was to continue with the current model. This option involves seeking consistent funding and building on the success of the past year. Commissioners expressed interest in adding more shows and attractions to increase community engagement and attendance.
Community Grants Structure Discussion (01:25:16)
The administration sought input from the board on structuring the community grants program, offering options for tiered or impact-based funding models.

The administration presented two potential models for structuring the community grants program: a tiered funding model with multiple awards at different levels, or an impact-based model with fewer, larger awards. The discussion highlighted the need for clarity in the grant application process, so organizations can understand what they are eligible for and what to apply for. It was noted that smaller, more numerous grants entail a higher administrative effort, whereas larger grants might offer more significant impact. The board was asked to provide direction on which model they preferred to adopt for the upcoming grant cycle.