KALAMAZOO, MI (WKZO AM/FM) – The Kalamazoo County board has taken the first step toward putting a millage request on the August ballot to fund daycare services, but not everyone is happy with the proposal.
Even some commissioners who support the millage would like to make changes in the ballot request to make it more palatable.
Monteze Morales and Tami Ray both support it but say they have heard from constituents that do not.
04/22/2026Morales says she would like to shorten the length of the millage, which as proposed would be for a full decade.
There appear to be enough votes on the commission to put it on the ballot.
That’s despite opposition from Republicans John Gisler and Jeff Heppler.
The board heard from a number of local parents, business leaders and daycare operators who said it would be good for business and good for children.
Andy Richards at Duncan Aviation and Andrea Meinema-Macklin at the United Way says parents can’t afford to work, because childcare is too expensive if it’s available at all.
But they also heard from residents who said taxes are already too high.
The proposal was accepted for first reading and referred to their May 6th agenda, where it could be modified before the board decides whether to let voters decide the question on the primary ballot on August 4th.
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