KALAMAZOO (WKZO-AM) — Commissioners say attorneys are busy drafting an ordinance that would ensure elected officials, not big-money donors, are running Kalamazoo, even if the city accepts a three-year, $70 million gift from local philanthropists.
Vice Mayor Don Cooney said he’s heard those concerns about the “Foundation for Excellence.”
“People are thinking, ‘Well, these people are going to give us money, then they’re going to want to run the city,’” Cooney said. “I think they have enough to do with running the city without actually running the city.”
Cooney, who is in favor of the donation, said the commission will vote next month on a safeguard.
“That document is going to have a clause in it that’s going to say this — all the money that will be generated will be under the complete control of the elected officials,” Cooney said.
Some citizens spoke against the proposed gift during Monday’s commission meeting.
Supporters say it will keep the city out of the red, cut property tax bills and provide enough money for “aspirational items,” like street repair and poverty reduction.
