KALAMAZOO, MI (WKZO AM/FM) – The Kalamazoo County board is scheduled to hold a public hearing and take a final vote on their proposed 2025 budget tonight, but still have some items to nail down.
Among the unresolved issues is money for the new RX Kids fund. They have been asked to contribute to the new program, initially introduced in Flint, that would provide pregnant women with some guaranteed income to help get the first year of their new child’s life off to a good start.
Jameca Patrick Singleton, the director of Cradle Kalamazoo, says their goal is to raise $10 million dollars to fund a two-year pilot, with $1-million from the county.
Like the Flint program, which is already underway, it would provide a $1,500 payment in the first trimester and $500 a month for the first year.
Initially it would just be applied in the city of Kalamazoo, where most of the need exists.
It targets one of Kalamazoo’s most pernicious problems, its high infant mortality rate.
Commissioners have asked for additional information on that and on the third year of funding for a Reproductive Health Fund administered by the YWCA.
They are also weighing whether to reinstate a director for the Kalamazoo County Fair and hiring a grant writer and a lobbyist to represent the county in Lansing.
KVCC has also requested funding for a new trade training facility.
Commissioners appear to have funding available if they do greenlight the one time funding requests.
One controversial proposal for commissioners to give themselves a raise was settled at their last meeting. They set aside a proposal to double their salaries after they heard public and internal opposition, and instead just pay themselves the equivalent of the lowest-paid employee for Kalamazoo County. That’s still a 73% increase over what they are currently paid. It was not unanimously adopted, but did pass.
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