KALAMAZOO, MI (WKZO AM/FM) — Local government officials are continuing to grapple with the economic impacts of the coronavirus pandemic.
Kalamazoo County expects to lose at least $1.3-million dollars in revenue this year, and it could lose a whole lot more before the year’s end.
The Kalamazoo County Board of Commissioners got their first look at the proposed cuts to cover that deficit at their virtual meeting Tuesday evening.
Administrator Tracey Moored says they will lose over a million dollars from lost fees, fines, and permits alone. “Several revenue streams that we counted on that we know will be short, so this should cover that gap,” Moored explained.
She says they will be able to protect programs and services from cuts for now, but that could be more difficult if the state eliminates $2.5-million dollars in shared revenue.
Moored adds that hotel stays are down by half. They are worried about accommodation tax revenue, which supports parks and tourism, “It might be more significant than 50 percent because as we know right now hotels are not at 50 percent capacity by any means at this point.”
The 2020 General fund operational reductions are as followed:
- General 2020 Non‐Union Step Increase Freeze: $200,000
- Administrative Departments Salary/Operating: $303,800
- Adult Probation Operating $2,500 Board of Commissioners Funding to Support Community Corrections: $18,000
- Board of Commissioners Benefits for Part‐Time Employees Hired after 6/1/20: $50,000
- Board of Commissioners Commissioner Travel & Training: $8,000
- Board of Commissioners Advisory & Authority Board Compensation: $45,000
- Circuit Court Salary/Operating: $100,000
- Clerk/Register Operating: $63,700
- District Court Salary: $52,000
- Drain Commissioner Salary: $24,700
- MSU Extension Operating: $15,500
- Prosecuting Attorney Salary/Operating: $65,000
- Sheriff Salary/Operating: $100,000
- Treasurer Salary: $50,600
The full breakdown can be found in the commission agenda packet here.
Commissioners will vote on the initial cuts at their next meeting. “This hopefully will fill the hole that we need to fill for right now,” Moored stated.
It could be a month or more before they find out if deeper cuts will be needed. Moored adds that they will be joining other local governments and reopening some of their offices to the public on June 1st, if the governor allows it.
(John McNeill contributed to this report)
