KALAMAZOO, MI (WKZO AM/FM) — The city of Kalamazoo’s 2020 budget proposal is out.
It includes expenditures of $201,682,501, representing an increase of 10.92% from the 2019 adopted budget.
The city proposal includes the hiring of three new positions including a Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Officer, a Transportation Planner, and a Public Information Officer.
According to the plan, “The Diversity Equity and Inclusion Officer will help facilitate City-wide diversity, inclusion and social equity programs and collaborate with stakeholders to make meaningful movement towards a more equitable community and organization. The Transportation Planner will improve communication and coordination between Public Services and Community Planning and Economic Development to improve delivery of transportation, street, and non-motorized-related projects. Lastly, a new Public Information Officer will assist Public Safety and other departments in the on-going effort to better communicate City’s activities and ensure effective communications during Public Safety-related events.”
Some of the big projects budgeted include the removal of the dam at Milham Park, a new Northside splash pad, as well as improvements to the Kalamazoo Farmer’s Market, the Kik pool, and Verburg Park.
Several road projects are on the proposal including Oakland Drive between Parkview and Howard, Parkview Avenue between Oakland and Greenleaf, Emerald Street between Cork and Miller, Miller Road between Emerald and Sprinkle, Cork Street between Portage and Sprinkle, Drake Road between Parkview and Stadium, and the Bank Street realignment, among others.
In the Kalamazoo Department of Public Safety, improvements include a second station located on Bryant Street in the Edison neighborhood, police radio replacements, and other upgrades.
The proposed budget also shows that the Foundation For Excellence will provide $4.1-million for General Fund budget balancing in 2020 and continue to provide an average of $10-million for aspirational projects each year in 2020, 2021, and 2022.
Kalamazoo City Commissioners still have to look over the budget and they’re hoping to have one approved by January 20th.
