Board of Commissioners Breakdown
April 2023 |
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(L-R): Chair John Taylor, Vice Chair Pro Tempore Jeff Heppler, and Commissioners Monteze Morales, Jen Strebs, and Abigail Wheeler at the April 6 Special Board Meeting |
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Kalamazoo County Celebrates National County Government Month.
Kalamazoo County is proud to celebrate National County Government Month this April, highlighting the importance of county government and its role in building strong communities. This year's theme, Counties RISE!, speaks to the resiliency, inclusion, solvency, and empowerment that we strive to embody as county leaders.
National County Government Month is an opportunity to elevate our work and educate citizens on the many ways in which county government touches their lives. County governments are responsible for a wide range of services and programs that impact residents' daily lives, such as public safety, public health, transportation, education, social services, and environmental protection. County governments also provide essential infrastructure, including roads, bridges, and water systems, that support economic growth and improve the quality of life for residents.
As we reflect on this theme, we are reminded of the vital role we play in deploying local, state, and federal programs on the ground, and we are excited to continue serving our community with enthusiasm and passion.
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APRIL 4 MEETING HIGHLIGHTS
- Awarded $100,000 of ARPA funding to the Veterans Service Office to ensure the food voucher program for veterans is funded through 2023.
- Approved the creation of two intern positions for high-need WMU students, such as first-generation college students and historically marginalized populations, at the Parks & Expo Center Department through the WMU Bronco Lead Internship Program - Empowering Futures.
- Discussed and supported a resolution to add the County Veterans Services Program Millage Proposal to the ballot in the upcoming November election. The Board will vote on the resolution at the April 18 regular meeting.
- Approved a resolution to accept opioid settlement agreements with Teva, Allergan, CVS, and Walmart, and for the County Administrator to sign.
- Authorized the Housing Director to reopen the portal for the remaining approximate $2 million in Housing Millage funding for projects in the multifamily and supportive services categories.
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APRIL 6 SPECIAL MEETING RECAP
The April 6 Special Meeting of the Kalamazoo County Board of Commissioners signed the purchase agreement between Catalyst Development Co. and Kalamazoo County Government. The Board called a special meeting to review a revised contract which included clearly defined and specific terms in an effort to provide economic benefits accessed to all members of the community, particularly those who may be marginalized or underserved.
Board Chair John Taylor signed the finalized agreement, allowing Catalyst to purchase two parcels of land owned by the County at 411 W. Kalamazoo Ave., 431 W. Kalamazoo Ave., 330 N. Westnedge Ave., and 452 Eleanor St. By working together to address concerns and ensure equitable access to economic benefits, Kalamazoo County Government and Catalyst Development Co. can help to build a stronger, more resilient community that benefits all residents, including those in the Northside.
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APRIL 18 MEETING HIGHLIGHTS
- Approved a resolution to add the County Veterans Services Program Millage Proposal to the ballot in the upcoming November election.
- Approved and adopted the 2023 Kalamazoo County Equalization Report, noting a 6.8% increase to $10.7 billion in the total taxable valuation for the County from 2022 to 2023.
- Approved project agreements with Western Michigan University Kercher Center for Social Research for program evaluation of the Juvenile, Women's, and Men's Drug Treatment Court Programs.
- Approved a proclamation honoring Philip Neuman for 25 years of service in the Sheriff's Office.
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A Message From the Administrator |
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Whether you are a business owner, a resident, or a visitor to our community, county government affects your life in many ways. By understanding the work that we do, you can better appreciate the value of county government and the impact it has on our community. As we continue to celebrate National County Government Month this April, we encourage you to take a moment to learn more about the work counties do. Spend a few minutes visiting Counties Matter to learn more about the vital services we provide.
We continue to search for ways to make County government accessible to our citizens. We are committed to transparency and accountability, and we invite residents to get involved in whatever way they can, whether that's serving on a committee, volunteering your time, or simply keeping up to date with County news on our Facebook page.
Thank you for your continued support of our county government – particularly to our volunteers. In the Health & Community Services Department alone, a group of dedicated volunteers who came together during the COVID-19 pandemic donated 2,000 hours of service in 2022. It is people like them who make our community so wonderful. Together, we can continue to make Kalamazoo County a great place to live, work, and play.
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Around the County
From the Kalamazoo County Clerk's Office |
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May 2, 2023, Special Election
Voters across Kalamazoo County will have a chance to vote in a May 2 Special Election. Proposals featured on the Special Election ballot include the Kalamazoo Regional Educational Service Agency (KRESA) Enhancement Millage Renewal, Climax-Scotts Community Schools Bonding Proposal, Gull Lake Community Schools Bonding Proposal, and Cooper Township Special Assessment District Proposal.
Voters can access the ballot by mail, in person early at their local Clerk’s office, and on Election Day at their polling location from 7 to 8 a.m.
For more information on proposals in your area or voter information, visit our website’s Elections page.
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You're Invited to Our 5-Year Celebration
The Larry Provancher County ID Program is celebrating its 5th anniversary on Friday, May 5, from 4 to 7 p.m. at El Concilio, 930 Lake St., Kalamazoo, MI 49001. The County ID is intended to recognize all Kalamazoo County residents and enable them to connect with public safety, civic, and community services. Since opening in May 2018, the Program has issued over 5,000 County Identification cards and has impacted an equal, if not greater, number of Kalamazoo County residents. The community is welcome to attend the anniversary celebration featuring free food from Teresa’s Kitchen and Tacos Gorditas Santos; ice cream from Mi Pueblo; live mariachi music, a bouncy house, games, and prizes for the whole family!
We are seeking a few more helping hands to volunteer and make the event a success. If you can help out for a portion of the evening, please visit our SignUpGenius page to choose a shift. For more information or to download a shareable event flyer, visit our website.
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Advisory Boards & Committees
We want to thank our residents for engaging with us as we continue our work on behalf of everyone who lives in this great community! This month, we:
- Re-appointed Tracy Lynn to the Environmental Health Advisory Council
- Appointed Gary Sigman to the Kalamazoo County Transportation Authority Board, and
- Appointed Doreen Gardner to the Older Adult Services Advisory Council.
We're grateful to have such an engaged community of residents as we continue working toward a brighter future.
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Want to get involved with your local government in another way? Check out our current openings and apply today.
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