KALAMAZOO COUNTY, MI (WKZO AM/FM) – Kalamazoo County Commissioners heard from the Community Tuesday night on how they would spend the millions of federal dollars that will pour into the community through the American Rescue Plan in the next year.
The top three suggestions were to fight gun violence, improve housing and improve mental health care.
“It is disgraceful for our community to be living in tents,” one caller said.
Caller Maddie Jourdan-Woods had a shopping list for the commissioners.
“Home ownership, neighborhood-based training for good-paying jobs, one-one-one tutoring for students, and for small businesses that are being developed in low-income neighborhoods,” Woods said.
County Treasurer Thomas Whitener says just as eviction has become a problem for renters, it could also become a problem for homeowners facing foreclosure for unpaid taxes.
“One person losing their home is a tragedy,” Whitener said. “A community losing their homes is an apocalypse.”
There were also suggestions that the money be spent on battling car theft, put into commercial developments, and parks improvements, all of which are not covered by the relief plan.
The County plans an online poll to get more public suggestions for spending the $51.4-million.
Most of the spending will be folded into next year’s budget.
At their next meeting, Commissioners will debate funding urgent COVID relief projects that can’t wait.
— Copy written by John McNeil —
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