Board of Commissioners Meeting | November 4, 2026

The Kalamazoo County Board of Commissioners’ regular meeting on November 4, 2026, included discussion of community grant applications and a proposed resolution concerning the Road Commission’s $25 million Safe Streets and Roads for All (SS4A) implementation grant. The Road Commission had estimated approximately $8 million for roadside tree removal, and bid 2026-13 had been opened October 27; a public commenter asked the board to seek a pause in the award. The board rejected the proposed resolution, which called for stronger public engagement, disclosure of tree-removal information, and mitigation measures. Commissioners discussed possible collaborative follow-up, but no procurement action on the SS4A bid was approved.

The county reported approximately $400,000 available for community grants and 55 applications, including 47 from nonprofits and seven from other government agencies. Commissioners established an ad hoc committee to score applications and recommend awards to the full board; administration said contracts should be prepared before year-end so recipients can use the funding next year. A commissioner encouraged prioritizing project funding over organizations’ ongoing operating costs. No grant awards were made at this meeting. The board also approved an interlocal agreement with Western Michigan University for the Asylum Lake Nature Preserve; the Land Bank’s annual report described housing and redevelopment work, but no related contracts or spending approvals were presented.