KALAMAZOO, MI (WKZO AM/FM) – Given the problems faced by the city of Kalamazoo, you wouldn’t think it would be difficult for city commissioners to find ways to spend money to address them, but it has.
The commission has set aside $100,000 each year for the past few years to address their own priorities. Last year they only spent $10,000 and this year so far, they have allocated about $30,000 for a van to support summer youth athletics.
Mayor Dave Anderson says with a quarter of this year already gone; they need to make some decisions, to spend the $160,000 that remains.
One obstacle has been getting their proposals cleared for legality. City attorney Aaron Leal says fully a third of the ideas he has seen would not be allowed by state law.
Among the current proposals, new drinking fountains and other infrastructure improvements, a controversial YWCA reproductive services program, helping poor residents pay their water utility bills and others.
Commissioners are expected to get a ranked list of the ideas that have passed a legal screening and may submit new ideas when they resume discussions this afternoon
Comments