KALAMAZOO (WKZO-AM) — The Kalamazoo County commission has agreed to form a task force to look into the idea of issuing county identification cards for residents who can’t obtain other forms of legal identification.
While it’s easy for most people to renew a driver’s license, for someone who has never had one or may be an immigrant or a foster child, a teen who doesn’t drive, an inmate fresh out of jail, or an elderly person who no longer drives, it can be difficult or expensive to secure legal ID.
Commissioners each received dozens of letters and emails supporting the project. A small army of supporters also turned out to endorse the idea at this week’s board meeting.
The task force will be made up of representatives from a variety of local groups that support the idea and from business, financial, medical, governmental and law enforcement groups that will have to decide whether or not they will accept the county card as legitimate identification.
A decision will be made on how much documentation they feel will be required before an ID should be issued.
They will have to investigate how other communities have operated and funded the project, determine who will administer the program and how much they should charge. The task force has been given until late March to make a report and recommendation to the county commission.
Detroit has just decided to issue their own ID. Washtenaw County already has a program in place.
