KALAMAZOO (WKZO AM/FM) — Voters in Kalamazoo County will decide whether or not to approve a Senior Millage to help improve services for seniors that now have long waiting lists, even for those who qualify.
Seniors are one of the nation’s fastest growing demographics and a growing number of them are entering retirement in poverty, as fewer have pensions to fall back on.
A number of people spoke in support of the measure.
Some view the services it would fund as a way to keep seniors in their homes, largely self-supporting, and out of expensive nursing facilities.
The County board split 6 to 5, with Democrats supporting and Republicans opposing the request for about a third of a mil, which will appear on the August ballot.
The request would add about $35 to the annual tax bill of a person with a home with a taxable value of $100,000, if voters say yes.
