KALAMAZOO (WKZO-AM) — The soon-to-be newest members on the Kalamazoo City Commission say they’re ready for their new challenges.
One of the three newcomers on the panel, Matt Milcarek, is already well-versed in the city’s grim finances, serving on the Blue Ribbon Revenue Committee. He said the goal is to find sustainable income.
“(We need to get it) to where we’re not facing a shortfall every single year,” Milcarek said. “Which is where we’ve been at for some time.”
The other two newcomers, Erin Knott and Shannon Sykes, said cutting the budget is grim but important work.
“We want that process, that blue ribbon committee, to have the time to do its due diligence and set forth its recommendations,” Knott said.
“I’ve got four kids,” Sykes said. “So, my job is to make sure that we’re creating a world that I can feel good about leaving to them.”
The new commission will be sworn in Monday night. There will be pictures and a reception on the first night. The week after that, they will be expected to dive in head first.
– John McNeill
