KALAMAZOO, MI (WKZO AM/FM) – There are big changes in the new Kalamazoo city budget for 2025.
Several commissioners noted just how big those changes are when they gave final approval to the spending plan last night, with the biggest increase in spending coming for capital improvements.
Mayor Dave Anderson says it’s a lot bigger than it has ever been.
Now, nearly a third of it is money they are spending on streets and water projects that Anderson says will make the community a better place.
Commissioner Chris Preadel says these are once-in-a-generation funds that have been made available by the state and federal governments for local improvements.
Commissioner Don Cooney also pointed out that they are spending more to help low income residents than they ever have, and a lot more than they used to.
He says when he first saw a city budget 28 years ago, there was no such funding. That was considered to be the county’s responsibility.
As far as he is concerned, it’s still not enough.
The vote on last night’s $388 million budget was unanimous.
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