KALAMAZOO, MI (WKZO AM/FM) – There is a serious leadership gap in Kalamazoo County Government.
Not only is Interim Administrator Lisa Henthorn leaving at the end of the month, but last night the county board deadlocked on who should chair their board for the coming year.
Picking the County Board of Commissioners Chair is the most politically charged decision the board makes each year and last night was no exception. Democrat Mike Quinn apparently cut a deal with the four Republicans on the board to attempt to unseat incumbent Chair Tracy Hall, resulting in a series of tie votes.
Commissioner Veronica McKissick was absent. She would have been the tiebreaker.
They will try again in two weeks.
In the meantime, county board attorney Matt Nordfjord recommended they follow their bylaws and appoint Jeff Heppler to sign documents for the board. Heppler has more years on the board than any member.
McKissack says she was exposed to COVID-19 and thought she should stay away. She plans to talk to lawmakers about restoring the ability to legislate from home.
The board was expected to discuss last night what they are going to do when Henthorn leaves, but no one was in a position to lead the discussion.
The plan now is to resume the organizational meeting at the beginning of their next Committee of the Whole session January 18, and the hope is that all the commissioners will be present.
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