KALAMAZOO, MI (WKZO AM/FM) – Kalamazoo County government appears to be in a good financial position heading into the future, but county officials say they still have more spending proposals than cash.
Commissioners held a mid-week retreat as they begin preparing for next year’s budget. The biggest change is a priority in their construction plans. When the year began, priority one was a new administration building to go along with the parking structure already under construction downtown.
Now priority one appears to be Kalamazo County Jail. It follows a long list of nagging issues, and a major failure of the plumbing, as well as the replacement of a chiller at the Lamont Street facility.Board Chair Jen Strebs says they can no longer put off repairs, or replacement, after a request for state funding was denied.
Her fellow commissioners want deadlines and expedited action on the jail, but Strebs says whatever they do will need to be done deliberately and in phases.
Deputy County Administrator Terrell Cole says they have money, but it needs to be spent wisely, and while property taxes are their most reliable source of income, it won’t be enough alone.
He says they will need commissioners and other elected officials to determine priorities, lobby in Lansing, and decide how much debt and whether special millages should be employed to finance projects.
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