KALAMAZOO, MI (WKZO AM/FM) – Kalamazoo County voters will decide this August whether to raise property taxes to expand pre-school childcare in the county.
A divided county board spent over an hour debating and word-smithing the language for the millage request last night.
While it was clear everyone agreed the lack of childcare is a big problem that needs fixing, Republicans parted with Democrats on whether a millage was the best way to address it.
Here’s commissioner John Gisler.
Vice chair pro tem Jeff Heppler had this to say.
Democrats supported the proposal but couldn’t agree on whether they should limit who is eligible, and the term of the millage.
Commissioners Dale DeLeeuw and Tami Ray felt the original language calling for a 10-year millage that was limited to kids who are 5 and under was the best.
Chair Jen Strebs felt the money should be spent where it’s needed the most, and that will be sorted out by the professionals, who should have options to meet changing conditions, if it passes.
They altered it slightly to make it more flexible. The biggest change was reducing the life of the millage from 10 to 8 years before it needs to be renewed.
The half mill request will appear on the August 4th ballot.
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