Kalamazoo · issues
Civic issues
Topics getting the most attention in Kalamazoo public meetings, ranked by how frequently they come up.
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.
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.
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.