Kalamazoo · issues
Civic issues
Topics getting the most attention in Kalamazoo public meetings, ranked by how frequently they come up.
2027 Draft Budget and Meeting Relocation
The commission was scheduled to set a November 16, 2026 public hearing on the proposed FY 2027 budget. That hearing is where residents can weigh in on next year's spending priorities.
Missing monthly contract reports under the purchasing policy
A DSA member says the city stopped publishing the required list of $50K–$100K contracts around 2019 and only resumed after a FOIA request, and wants an investigation into why reports stopped and the backlog released.
Revision of the surveillance-equipment purchasing policy
The commission required surveillance contracts to come before it, but Commissioner Wilson now says it created operational headaches and stepped on the city manager's role. Staff will bring revised language (based on "option D") to the next meeting.
Employee Retirement System ordinance amendment
The one regular agenda item was an ordinance change to the city's Employee Retirement System — a change to retirement provisions that matters to city employees and the city's long-term obligations.
FFE Operations and Investment Costs Rising
The city's 35 FFE-funded projects total about $9 million, and more are on track than in past years. Board members flagged the city's 15% administrative charge as possibly too high for some awards — a debate headed to the Finance Committee next year.
Quorum reduction from five to four
With two members departing, a five-member quorum could have left the commission unable to meet. The change to four keeps meetings viable when absences pile up — though a tie vote still fails without a majority.
2026 HPC Budget
The Commission approved the city's entire $344 million budget for 2026 — including a new Home Share housing program, lead service line replacements, and a FOIA coordinator — early in the year instead of months in.
Oracle cloud migration contract questioned
The $220,000 Oracle cloud migration contract was pulled and postponed after concerns about the company's data practices and the city's CIO transition. Staff will bring answers and possibly alternatives next meeting.
2025 Form 990 and endowment health
The foundation's annual filing shows a $384 million endowment and very low overhead — about 99 cents of every dollar goes to the mission of tax reduction, budget stabilization, and aspirational projects.
2026 Quarterly Operations Update
The committee reviewed a routine update on how the Foundation for Excellence is operating this year. It's informational — no money or policy decisions hinged on it.
O'Connor Fund spendable balance and encumbrance reporting
The fund looks like it has $86,000 to spend, but $35,000 is already committed to grants. Commissioners want the report to show the true ~$50,000 figure so they never over-commit.
Restoring call-in public comment
The commission directed staff to draft options for restoring phone-in public comment, an accessibility change sought by residents who can't attend in person. Rules come back for a future vote.
2025 Financial Audit Results
The city's 2025 audit came back clean — no significant internal control issues — and DEGA's finances are folded into the city's audit. The board is weighing whether to pay down some of its notes faster while revenue allows.
DEGA/DDA office space downtown
The board wants staff offices back inside the district to boost its downtown presence. It referred the matter to the Executive Committee to build a formal RFP process, with conflict-of-interest rules in mind since some members own downtown property.
Grant opportunities for downtown operations and placemaking
The board discussed potential grant funding, with the Community Foundation identified as a possible source for operational and placemaking capital support.
2027 DEGA budget priorities
The board aired first ideas for the 2027 budget — expanded Ambassador hours, nighttime safety escorts, more public restrooms, BigBelly expansion, wayfinding, and construction-area business incentives — with final approval expected in October.
DDA May 2026 finances
The DDA took in no delinquent property tax revenue in May and spent $1,699, mostly on utilities. Year-to-date expenses sit at $21,521 against $4,030 in revenue.
Transition of DEGA legal services to Bloom Slugget, PC
The DDA is switching its outside legal counsel from Dickinson Wright PLLC to Bloom Sluggett, PC. The firm advises the board on downtown development matters, contracts, and statutory authority.
Competitive preservation grants expanded to $15,000
The commission raised the top competitive grant from $10,000 to $15,000 starting in 2027, and will pay a consultant up to $2,000 to help applicants strengthen draft applications before submission — a response to many incomplete or unclear applications this cycle.
Outsourcing city assessing
The commission locked in three more years of contracted assessing with WCA. Commissioner Slaby's complaint about being treated poorly as a resident — until she revealed her title — sparked commitments to better customer service tracking and a long-term look at bringing assessing back in-house.
Committee subcommittee restructuring
The committee is consolidating its long list of liaisons and working groups so meetings spend less time on "no comment" and more on advising the city. A public working session will be scheduled.
Settlement in Armstrong v. City of Kalamazoo
The commission approved a settlement in the Armstrong lawsuit on outside counsel's advice, after a closed-session briefing. Terms weren't disclosed in open session.
ZBA board attendance, officer nominations and internal conflict
A board member objected to being cited for poor attendance during a prior officer nomination, calling it divisive, and asked that full attendance records for all members be reviewed. The board agreed to bring attendance data to the next meeting.
Planning records database project
The city built a searchable database of 1,100+ planning decisions going back to 1954, with links to original minutes. It's not publicly viewable online yet, but you can request it as a public record.
KMEA Labor Agreement
The city locked in a three-year contract with its municipal employees association through 2028 after a closed-session negotiation.
Charter amendment process
Jeff Messer asked the Commission to put a charter amendment on the November ballot adding a process for amending the city charter itself.