KALAMAZOO, MI (WKZO AM/FM) – The Kalamazoo County Board of Commissioners is planning to take up their 2023 budget tonight even though some members of the board aren’t sure its ready for a final vote yet.
County Administrator Kevin Catlin is proposing a $120-million dollar spending plan, up about 4.6% from last year. Although some unresolved matters exist, to include long range funding for gun violence prevention programs, salary hikes and others, it appears a majority of the county board is ready to move ahead on the general spending plan, and settle some the other issues later.
One issue that may resurface however, a proposal to give Commissioners around a 20% raise next year when the board is set to reduced from 11 to 9 members.
Commissioner Jen Strebs says it would be within the salary range of other comparable counties, and that their work-load will be increasing.
But wage hikes for the rest of the county’s work force will be considerably lower next year, which has sparked some criticism from staff.
(reporting from John McNeill)
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