KALAMAZOO, MI (WKZO AM/FM) — Kalamazoo city commissioners held a special meeting last night to talk about what city taxpayers will be paying for in 2024, but they also talked about what residents will not be paying.
City Manger Jim Ritsema reminded everyone that thanks to the Foundation for Excellence, tax bills will be lower than they would have been otherwise.
City Finance Director Steve Vicenzi says taxpayers also continue to save because of the consolidation of police, fire, and EMS into public safety years ago.
Next year only 45% of the general fund will go to pay for the public safety department.
Vicenzi says there will be a decline in capital spending this year, because some of the work they will be doing in 2024 was paid for last year, it just isn’t done yet due to labor shortages.
Vicenzi says they plan to spend $288-million next year, down nearly 5% from this year.
Kalamazoo residents have seen substantial increases in their water and sewer rates however, and will see another rate hike next year.
That is part of the city budget that was discussed last night.
Commissioners will hold a public hearing on the budget on January 2nd, and take a vote on the 22nd.
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