Kalamazoo County - August 6, 2025 Committee of the Whole Meeting

Updated about 5 hours ago

In the Committee of the Whole Meeting he Board celebrated the successful preservation of two centuries of land records thanks to ARPA funding and the board's vision, enhancing public access to these records. The board addressed the busy election year, highlighting early voting efforts and the hiring of election inspectors. The county ID program, supported by the Kalamazoo Community Foundation, continues to empower residents through improved access and outreach, including mobile units and online resources. The meeting also covered the county's financial health, with a presentation of the annual comprehensive financial report and audit findings, noting improvements in cash and investment reconciliation. The board emphasized transparency and community engagement through digitization efforts.

Chapters

Preservation of Kalazoo County Land Records (00:00:00)
Discussion on preservation of nearly two centuries of Kalamazoo County's land records for public access through ARPA funding.

Thanks to ARPA funding and the board's vision, Kalamazoo County was able to preserve nearly two centuries of its land records for public access. The staff is currently working on indexing these documents to make them searchable for the public.
Election Overview (00:00:54)
Review of election activities, emphasizing the busy year and the launch of early voting efforts.

The year was one of the busiest for the elections office, which included administering active voting days and launching early voting efforts. The office trained and hired hundreds of election inspectors and continues to focus on accessibility, transparency, and public trust.
County ID Program Update (00:02:04)
Update on the Kalamazoo County ID program, emphasizing increased outreach and support from the community foundation.

The Kalamazoo County ID program continues to empower residents through access, identity, and dignity. Last year saw an increase in outreach through mobile units and proactive renewal efforts. The program also launched an electronic newsletter and renewal reminders, supported by the Kalamazoo Community Foundation.
Digitization and Transparency Efforts (00:02:52)
Discussion on efforts to digitize county records to improve transparency and expand community outreach.

Focus is on access through digitization efforts, designating modern public spaces, and digitizing the county commissioners' historical meeting minutes to improve transparency and expand community outreach.
Acknowledgment of Staff Contributions (00:03:41)
Acknowledgment of staff's commitment and professionalism in serving Kalamazoo County.

Recognition of the commitment and professionalism of the staff, including the chief deputy and executive coordinator, who make the preservation and service efforts possible. Gratitude was expressed for the opportunity to serve the county with a dedicated team.
Accounts Payable and Payroll Disbursements (00:14:42)
Review of accounts payable and payroll disbursements presented by the finance director.

The finance director presented the accounts payable claims and payroll disbursements for approval, covering a total of [amount] for the period. The board was asked to approve the claims and payrolls, with an opportunity for any questions.
Annual Comprehensive Financial Report (00:16:00)
Presentation of the annual comprehensive financial report and single audit by Peter Waltman, CPA.

Peter Waltman presented the annual comprehensive financial report and single audit. He thanked the finance department for their cooperation during the audit and provided an overview of the audit opinion, findings, and recommendations. The report included management's discussion and analysis, highlighting the financial conditions and key elements such as benefit enhancements, the new strategic plan, veteran's village, and justice facility.