Watch and read the Kalamazoo mayoral and commission forum
Kalamazoo candidates for mayor and city commission talked adult literacy, support for small businesses, housing obstacles, and the Blueprint for Peace with the Edison Neighborhood.
County Board approves 2026 budget
The Kalamazoo County Board of Commissioners has unanimously approved a nearly $325 million budget for 2026, including a $97 million general fund, which is a $4 million increase from 2025. The budget includes $300,000 that was cobbled together to address funding shortages for 9th Circuit Court operations and other areas.
“There is additional funding – public safety and revenue sharing funding – that is coming from the state, to the tune of around $300,000,” County Administrator Kevin Catlin said at the meeting Tuesday. “We just don’t know exactly what the final number is yet.”
The budget includes 15 new positions, which they hope to fill by the time the budget takes effect on Jan. 1. Just over a third of the revenue for the budget comes from taxes, which are projected to be around $8 million more in total, despite the tax rate decreasing, due to increasing property value, according to county budget data. Funds from the state are projected to increase by $3.5 million, though federal funding is dropping from $46.7 million in 2025 to $19.6 million in 2026. – John McNeill, NowKalamazoo
Some version of the Kalamazoo County fair may return
It looks like the Kalamazoo County Fair might just make a comeback next summer. The County Board of Commissioners tasked staff to issue a request for proposals for a 4-H animal showcase, food vendors, and rides for four to five days to take place next August…