Board of Commissioners Meeting | September 1, 2026

The Kalamazoo County Board of Commissioners held a meeting on September 1, 2026, which included several procurement and budget-related discussions. The board reviewed and approved accounts payable claims totaling approximately $7.56 million and payroll disbursements. A preview of the interim administrator's recommended fiscal year 2027 budget was presented, highlighting revenue assumptions, expenditure adjustments, and priorities such as public safety and community stability. The budget included funding for a support contract for the court's JAVS video system and modest operational increases, with no new full-time positions except for an intern in GIS planning. The board also discussed the 2026 Kalamazoo County Fair, noting its financial success and increased attendance, and considered options for the 2027 fair, including potential additional funding for a carnival. Additionally, the board approved recommendations from the housing millage ad hoc committee for 2026-2027 funding allocations totaling over $10 million for affordable housing projects, with a new approach to quarterly funding rounds for multifamily and preservation projects. Other procurement-related items included a public hearing and approval of a Brownfield plan for a large mixed-use housing development in Oshtemo Township. The meeting also covered policy discussions on replacing Election Day as a holiday with Indigenous People's Day and providing employees with paid time off to vote. Overall, the meeting focused on budget planning, contract approvals, capital projects, and community event funding, with motions passed to support these initiatives.