KALAMAZOO, MI (WKZO AM/FM) – The 55th Kalamazoo City Commission meets for the last time tonight, just long enough to pay tribute to retiring City Manager Jim Ritsema and approve some meeting minutes.
They were also expected to appoint an interim city manager, but that does not appear on the agenda.
Ritsema’s last day on the job is tomorrow and new City Manager Malcolm Hankins doesn’t start until just after the new year.
Two new commissioners, Jaqueline Slaby and Drew Duncan, and returning incumbents Stephanie Hoffman and Mayor Dave Anderson will take the oath of office.
They will salute outgoing members Don Cooney and Qiana Decker, and the 56th commission won’t get much of a honeymoon. They will soon be plunged into budget deliberations for 2026.
Mayor Anderson says 95% of the budget is already done, and most of the commission is familiar with it.
The city manager’s budget proposal will be released on December 1st and must be approved by January 31st, as required by the City Charter.
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