KALAMAOZO, MI (WKZO AM/FM) – Kalamazoo City Commissioners will be holding a budget work session on the 2023 city budget this evening.
Chief Financial Officer Steve Vincenzi says the spending plan will be 22% larger next year than this, due to the injection of funding from the Foundation for Excellence, one-time COVID-19 relief funding, grants, and other sources, with most of the increase going into water and wastewater upgrades.
Their plan is to spend just under $300-million, split 51%-49% between government operations and water utilities.
One department that will see a decrease as a percentage of their general fund is Public Safety. Vincenzi says it’s been a trend over the last few budgets.
In 2023 they will spend about 45% of their General Fund Budget on Police, Fire and EMS operations, which is down from as much as 55% in 2015, because of efficiencies and cost cutting costs.
Kalamazoo City Manager Jim Ritsema says commissioners got a general presentation on his budget proposal last week and they could finish up at tonight’s work session, although they have nothing planned for their first Committee of the Whole meeting in January and could use that meeting for further discussion on the budget if necessary.
Commissioners won’t be taking any action tonight, but the discussion could shape the final budget proposal.
A public hearing on the budget is planned for January 3 and a final vote January 17, 2023.
(reporting from John McNeill)
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