Portage council to vote on changing what expenses need to be approved

PORTAGE, MI (WKZO AM/FM) – Last week, Kalamazoo city commissioners rejected a proposal by its city manager to alter what expenditures must be approved on the public record, calling it an issue of transparency.

This week, the city council in Portage will take up a similar proposal, with one big difference.

City Manager Pat McGinnis has proposed increasing the limit on those items that have to be secured by sealed bid by 50%.

There would be no change in the practice of bringing any item in excess of $75,000 to the council for approval.

In a memo to the council, McGinnis says the policy hasn’t been updated since 2020 and there has been considerable inflation since then. He says it’s more efficient this way.

The council will be asked to approve the changes Tuesday evening.