Kalamazoo County - Committee of the Whole - September 16, 2025 Kalamazoo County Committee of the Whole

Updated about 5 hours ago

The Kalamazoo County Board Meeting includes presentations and discussions on various topics. The Prosecutor addresses the board about budget priorities, emphasizing the need to prioritize employees over discretionary spending due to rising costs. Metro Transit, represented by Executive Director Sean McBride, provides updates on the expansion of public transit services, including a new Metrolink service. The board discusses potential impacts of anticipated state funding cuts on local services, with concerns about how these might affect law enforcement and public safety. The meeting also covers updates on the county's budget process and addresses issues related to the strategic plan and court funding.

Chapters

Public Comment (00:00:17)
Members of the public were invited to address the board with comments on various topics, including a detailed statement from the prosecutor about budget priorities.

The meeting began with an opportunity for public comments. The prosecutor addressed the board, thanking them for their efforts. He discussed the importance of prioritizing county employees in the budget, highlighting the rising costs they face. He also explained the status of open positions in the prosecutor's office, mentioning the dependency on high crime funding for some roles. Additional issues such as state grant funding delays and the need for a new case management system were discussed.
Kalamazoo County Transportation Authority Update (00:08:43)
The executive director of Metro Transit provided an update on public transit services, including new initiatives like Metrolink and upcoming millage elections.

The update from the Kalamazoo County Transportation Authority was presented by Sean McBride, the executive director of Metro Transit. He discussed the current state of public transit in Kalamazoo County, highlighting the diverse mobility needs of the community that are being addressed through services like Metro Connect and the new Metrolink. The Metrolink service, a pilot program similar to Uber, has been expanded with state grant funding. The update also covered the upcoming urban millage election, which funds the fixed-route bus system and Metrolink service. The challenges of maintaining service levels amidst inflation and decreasing state funding were emphasized.
Review of Accounts Payable and Payroll Disbursements (00:22:36)
The finance director presented the accounts payable claims list and payroll disbursements, totaling $4,312,451.93, for board approval.

The finance director presented a detailed accounts payable claims list amounting to $4,312,451.93. This included a breakdown of various expenses that the board was asked to approve. The director also offered to answer any questions the board might have regarding these financial matters.
Monthly Investment Report (00:23:41)
The chief deputy treasurer provided an update on the county's investment portfolio, focusing on market variances and investment strategies.

The chief deputy treasurer, Taylor White, presented the monthly investment report. The discussion included the current state of the investment portfolio, the mark-to-market variance, and the overall strategy of holding assets to maturity to avoid realized losses. Emphasis was placed on the importance of maintaining a stable portfolio and avoiding liquidation. The report also included insights into economic factors such as inflation and their impact on investment returns.
Budget Update and Administrator's Report (00:27:44)
The county administrator provided an update on budget discussions, including changes and strategic priorities, and responded to commissioner concerns.

The county administrator gave a comprehensive update on the budget, responding to feedback from the previous meeting. Key changes included increased revenue projections from property tax and marijuana tax, allowing for adjustments in the budget for gun violence prevention and circuit court operations. The administrator addressed concerns about staffing and funding priorities, emphasizing the need for strategic investments to maintain public services and support the county's strategic plan. Detailed explanations were given regarding the prioritization of positions and the approach to funding various county functions.
Budget Discussion (00:37:10)
A detailed discussion on the county's budget, focusing on strategic plans, baseline vs zero-based budgeting, and the importance of law enforcement funding.

The discussion opened with concerns about budget allocations, particularly around strategic plans and whether the budget should be approached from a baseline or zero-based perspective. The importance of adequately funding law enforcement and the courts was highlighted, with comments stressing that these are essential government functions to ensure public safety. There was also a focus on how budget cuts at the state level could impact local funding, especially in areas like juvenile justice and public safety.
Strategic Planning and Budget Adjustments (00:55:00)
The conversation continued on strategic planning, the importance of supporting transformative community initiatives, and adjusting the budget accordingly.

The board discussed the ongoing need to support strategic initiatives that can transform the community. There was a consensus on the importance of aligning the budget with strategic visioning and actioning to ensure county government can continue to play a transformative role. The potential for fine-tuning budget details was acknowledged, with a focus on supporting strategic plans.
Presentation on Senior Millage Allocation (00:55:57)
Introduction of recommendations from the Senior Millage Allocation Ad Hoc Committee, presented by Cassie Bailey from the Area Agency on Aging.

Cassie Bailey from the Area Agency on Aging presented the recommendations from the Senior Millage Allocation Ad Hoc Committee. The presentation was intended to inform commissioners of the allocation strategies and funding recommendations aimed at supporting senior services in the community. The presentation was briefly delayed due to technical issues, but Bailey proceeded to outline the key points of the recommendations.