KALAMAZOO, MI (WKZO AM/FM) – There are a lot of programs the Kalamazoo County board would like to fund next year, but they learned at their annual budget retreat that may depend on what happens in Lansing and in Washington DC.
Commissioners learned that their financial situation is promising, that if this were a normal year they would have enough money to continue current services with some left over to pursue new programs and projects. but these are not normal times.
One concern is that if the state legislature can’t reach a budget deal this fall and there is a government shutdown, the checks they get on a daily basis will stop coming on October 1st.
County Treasurer Thomas Whitener had this to say.
The health department, indigent defense, the courts and law enforcement all rely on state funding.
The same could happen for other services, like the county’s specialty courts, when President Trump’s “Big Beautiful Budget Bill” takes effect next year.
Here is county board chair Jen Strebs.
The county board could replace some of those dollars, but they could only do that for so long, before considering cuts.
Administrator Kevin Catlin says they will be discussing the budget at every board meeting from now well into fall when a 2026 budget will have to be approved.
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