Kalamazoo County - Board of Commissioners

Kalamazoo County - Board of Commissioners - December 2, 2025 Meeting

Updated 31 minutes ago

The Kalamazoo County Board of Commissioners convenes to address a range of issues. The board discusses Texas Township's request to redirect grant funding and reaffirms its decision based on the established scoring process. A resolution is passed declaring housing as a public health crisis, highlighting the impact of housing on public health and directing collaboration between the county's health and housing departments. The board also reviews administrative updates, including RFPs for a new administration building design and carnival services for the county fair. The meeting emphasizes transparency, fiscal responsibility, and addressing community needs.

Chapters

Health Officer Direct Reports Discussion (00:00:06)
Discussion on health officer's direct reports and responsibilities.

The health officer currently has two direct reports, the area agency on aging division manager and the supervisor for the Veteran Service Office. These positions are held by Don Soli Silla and Lauren King, respectively. Additionally, there is an indirect report to the medical officer and medical examiner.
Discover Kalamazoo Annual Strategy Presentation (00:01:51)
Jane Gosh presents Discover Kalamazoo's strategy focusing on visitor spending and economic impacts.

Jane Gosh, President and CEO of Discover Kalamazoo, presents the annual strategy, highlighting key results in visitor spending and addressing budget challenges due to missed accommodation tax revenue. She emphasizes the importance of continued investment in advertising and new group business, while also discussing technological advancements and the development of a tourism master plan.
Kalamazoo County Semi Quincentennial Presentation (00:17:19)
Presentation on the upcoming semi quincentennial events and recommendations.

Sharon Carlson and other committee members present on the preparations for Kalamazoo County's semi quincentennial celebrations. They outline past events and propose recommendations for a centralized website and logo to promote the events. The focus is on celebrating the diverse heritage and community involvement in the upcoming celebrations.
Business Expense Reimbursement Policy Update (00:27:01)
Discussion on the updates to the business expense reimbursement policy for modernization.

The deputy administrator presents proposed revisions to the business expense reimbursement policy, aimed at modernizing processes and integrating technology. Key changes include digital submissions, electronic approvals, strengthened documentation standards, and clarifications regarding mileage for hybrid and remote work.
Discussion on Mileage Reimbursement Policy (00:30:20)
Discussion on feedback provided earlier regarding mileage reimbursement policy and its accuracy.

A commissioner shared feedback on the mileage reimbursement policy, suggesting that simply deducting the mileage from home to the home base may not be accurate. They proposed considering the closest location to minimize expenses and ensure employees are not undercut on mileage due.
Updates from Director of Human Resources (00:31:38)
Sharon Brown presented policy updates including EEO officer change, reclassification policy, and bereavement policy.

Director of Human Resources, Sharon Brown, presented updates to policy manuals, including changes to the EEO officer role and reclassification policy. Updates also included clarifying pregnancy loss under bereavement policy and guidance for elected officials on office closures.
Resolution on Capital Improvement Bonds (00:40:04)
First reading of a resolution to issue capital improvement bonds for Kalamazoo County Event Center.

The meeting included the first reading of a resolution authorizing the publication of notice of intent to issue capital improvement bonds and a declaration of intent to reimburse from bond proceeds for the Kalamazoo County Event Center Assessment District for the indoor youth sports facility.
Closed Session on Legal Opinion (00:41:44)
Motion to enter closed session to discuss legal opinion from corporation counsel.

The board moved to enter a closed session to discuss a legal opinion from corporation counsel. A motion was made and supported to enter into the closed session, followed by a roll call vote.
Invocation and Roll Call (01:28:55)
Invocation led by Vice Chair followed by roll call of commissioners.

The meeting was called to order with an invocation led by the Vice Chair, asking for wisdom and patience in decision-making. This was followed by the clerk calling the roll to confirm attendance.
Proclamation Honoring Robert Salisbury (01:30:21)
Approval of a proclamation honoring Robert Salisbury for his service on the Retirement Investment Committee.

A proclamation was read and approved honoring the life and contributions of Robert Salisbury, who served as a chair of the Kalamazoo County Retirement Investment Committee and other community financial roles.
Approval of Minutes and Agenda (01:34:36)
Minutes and agenda for the meeting were reviewed and approved, with amendments to the agenda.

The minutes from the previous meeting were approved, and the agenda for the current meeting was reviewed. It was amended to move certain items to new business and add a discussion topic about community grants.
Public Comment Period (01:36:52)
First public comment period with no comments from attendees.

The first public comment period was opened for both in-person and online attendees. There were no public comments made during this time.
Consent Agenda Approval (01:37:55)
Consent agenda items were moved and approved as a single vote.

The board moved to approve all items on the consent agenda as a single vote. The motion was made, supported, and passed after a roll call vote.
Discussion on Community Grants (01:39:12)
Discussion about Texas Township's request to reallocate grant funds and the implications of doing so.

Commissioners discussed Texas Township's request to reallocate community grant funds from a trailway project to a community engagement project. Opinions varied on whether to allow this change, considering the scoring process and fairness to other applicants.
Discussion on Budget Allocation Process (01:46:26)
Commissioners discuss the challenges and processes involved in budgeting and grant allocation.

The commissioners discussed the importance of consistency and transparency in budgeting, recognizing the difficulties faced by townships with tight budgets, and the need for a structured process in grant allocations. There was agreement on the importance of respecting the board's decisions and the need for open dialogue in future allocations.
Resolution Declaring Housing as a Public Health Crisis (01:50:05)
Commissioners debated a resolution to declare housing a public health crisis, citing various social impacts.

The board considered a resolution to declare housing as a public health crisis in Kalamazoo, with discussions touching upon the social determinants of health, the need for collaboration between health and housing departments, and the broader implications of housing instability on public health. The resolution was seen as a formal acknowledgment of these issues, with an emphasis on continued investment and strategic targeting of housing resources.
Approval of Problem Solving Court Case Coordinator Position Adjustment (01:58:58)
The board approved a motion regarding the adjustment of a case coordinator position due to funding changes.

Commissioners discussed a request to adjust the allocation for a Problem Solving Court Case Coordinator position due to reduced grant funding. The administrator clarified that operations would continue as normal, supported by recent funding from the Kalamazoo Community Foundation.
Public Comment Session (02:01:18)
Second opportunity for public comment was opened but no comments were made.

The meeting opened the floor for public comments, offering opportunities for both in-person and virtual attendees to speak. However, no public comments were made during this session.
Administrator and Controller Comments (02:01:55)
The administrator thanked Commissioner Ray for her leadership on a community food drive and noted budget implications.

The administrator expressed gratitude to Commissioner Ray for organizing a successful community food drive and acknowledged the board's approval of reclassifications affecting judicial aids and court clerks, highlighting the long-term financial implications for the county.
Vice Chair and Vice Chair Pro Tem Comments (02:02:50)
Vice Chair and Vice Chair Pro Tem shared updates and expressed appreciation for county employees and service members.

The Vice Chair mentioned the importance of reclassifications for staff retention and the Vice Chair Pro Tem reminded the board of the importance of gratitude during the holiday season, especially for service members and first responders. They also promoted an upcoming community food drive.
Commissioner Comments and Announcements (02:04:28)
Commissioners shared various updates and expressed thanks for community efforts and staff contributions.

Commissioners took turns expressing gratitude for community initiatives, acknowledging the importance of housing issues, and thanking county staff for their hard work. There were also mentions of upcoming public art projects and calls for support of local food drives.
Community Advisor Update from Enbridge (02:18:40)
A community advisor for Enbridge will attend a breakfast meeting to provide updates on Enbridge's activities and answer questions.

The community advisor for Enbridge will be present at a morning breakfast where they will provide an update on the company's current activities. Attendees will have the opportunity to ask questions and receive examples and detailed answers regarding Enbridge's operations.
Commissioner Dlo's Comment (02:19:06)
Commissioner Dlo intended to speak but had nothing additional to add as his point was already covered.

Commissioner Dlo mentioned that he had something to say during the meeting, but since his intended point was already addressed by Wendy, he decided not to add anything further.
Adjournment (02:19:18)
The meeting was officially adjourned.

The meeting came to a close with the official adjournment, marking the end of the session.

Kalamazoo County (33 Episodes)

Updated 31 minutes ago

Gavel to gavel coverage of meetings of the Kalamazoo County Board of Commissioners and other county information.