[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6518406,"mediaKeyId","5392407-ccf46ba0b375fce6a24d892bd2bb7068","parentId",5392407,"title","Local emergency physician raises concerns about Region 5 Healthcare Coalition handling of mobile medical unit and PPE","audioSeconds",228,"startMs",9758840,"endMs",9987070,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5392407-ccf46ba0b375fce6a24d892bd2bb7068&start=9758&end=9987","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5392407-ccf46ba0b375fce6a24d892bd2bb7068/thumbnail_9758840.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6518406/Kalamazoo-County/Michigan/Local-emergency-physician-raises-concerns-about-Region-5-Healthcare-Coalition-handling-of-mobile-medical-unit-and-PPE","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6518406-61e5a69b5bab3f1da3517c7c462be504/orig.mp4?Expires=1770741271&Signature=kiUGc3WOBZ-ddnTRVFpTy6zXMptaYqqvhYy53byGj-9-EzIEH4MusZi1R8QyHcMliRiPj0yB3cuupnmf07oX7D9MqhYG7fyuPVWBQtAUXFZ937WwvcZPTubD1WA1lTiiRPLiw5acIjcwpRATW~xNgwbKMxKJgk2QRwegUx3sAnKD-NfugrzhlNGUjX-211uP~OYd8HQ2Y7Fx5c-9lOKJN5uQBaxtQ25sn55nutpeNvLPdHTkCSi5f396Nsni3jGOLOr3cDB3OF7ydDRi~15VlrEB8GHCNK3gPuGVYPdj6oSBmtKnSHiY3AJSuApyu-r1fFgQkZtOftwy0b139dhnvQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Kalamazoo County Government","date","2025-07-16T00:20:41Z","article","An emergency physician and local first responder told the Kalamazoo County Board of Commissioners on July 15 that a regional healthcare coalition removed equipment from a county‑housed medical support vehicle without broad local notification and that pandemic supplies from the Strategic National Stockpile were discarded when the coalition moved its warehousing.

Josh Massebrook, an emergency physician who also serves as a firefighter and first responder in Richland, described Medical Support Unit 3 (MSU‑3) as a county‑based response asset housed at Comstock Fire Station. He told the board the vehicle is equipped to support rehabilitation and care at mass‑casualty incidents and is stocked with oxygen plumbing, stair chairs, tourniquets, gauze, blood‑pressure cuffs and other mass‑casualty supplies so it can immediately support victims or respond to firefighter rehab on scene.

Massebrook said coalition leadership and the Region 5 coordinator visited Comstock in May and removed most of the equipment from MSU‑3 “without the knowledge ... of the planning board for the coalition and without the hospital's knowledge and without any of the fire department's knowledge.” He said the unit is a regional asset and that missing equipment would render the vehicle less useful in a response.

Massebrook also said that when the coalition changed fiduciary arrangements and moved warehoused supplies to another county it “ended up throwing away a large amount of specifically PPE, gowns, gloves, that were not expired,” and raised concern that items could have been distributed to local responders or used for training rather than discarded.

The board acknowledged the concerns and the administrator said staff and emergency management would follow up with the Region 5 Healthcare Coalition and the county's emergency management director to learn more and report back.

Ending: County administrators told the board they would pursue follow up with coalition and emergency management leaders to clarify the status of MSU‑3 equipment and the disposition of pandemic supplies.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Board of Commissioners Meeting | July 15, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","An emergency physician and firefighter told commissioners that equipment was removed from a county-housed medical support vehicle and that PPE from the Strategic National Stockpile was discarded during a regional coalition relocation; county staff said they will follow up.","taxTitle","Kalamazoo County, Michigan","taxId",2836,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6518410,"Kalamazoo County midyear financials show seasonal tax timing, strong investment returns",532,776690,1309240,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5392407-ccf46ba0b375fce6a24d892bd2bb7068&start=776&end=1309","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5392407-ccf46ba0b375fce6a24d892bd2bb7068/thumbnail_776690.jpg","/articles/6518410/Kalamazoo-County/Michigan/Kalamazoo-County-midyear-financials-show-seasonal-tax-timing-strong-investment-returns","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6518410-be10a353f6cc5301344952f02b3200ce/orig.mp4?Expires=1770741271&Signature=UstAgxfC52on7AEMrivbhu7rbakjDO9h1ni79zxozlBx5XoYjEq-yqZln8TqHWRuzou5RgJYrqH6DyENvkvcwFoJzzQGy5W2ey4nl6T0wJJOdp1fGHGgB683UM-vnZhgm9XyCMtZkQ-WIIwBQfQm3BxglTcJvLCHxKXknL9xsN3nEQ9dqRLSOonIkP1dQf6LHF-RMrEzHczMejKnec2M5OBUtAuRf2SFL4MRl9y8veAP4QmeTZCSHc3eXE81J68qVBsb~rPavqVTtRuH8yo69TxjxnZKehB339~54XwJ-cTHSqxqKPUUh6kOhLVvpjjx6xGJ48pGFn1KVc60pR84iw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Kalamazoo County officials received a midyear financial briefing July 15 showing revenues and expenditures tracking historical seasonal patterns and unusually strong investment returns.

Administrator Dr. Catlin summarized the county’s midyear position through June 30: general fund revenue collections were reported at about $18.7 million, roughly 19.9% of the amended budget, while expenditures were about $48.5 million, approximately 51.6% of budget appropriations. Property tax receipts are seasonally concentrated later in the year (Q3 and Q4), the presentation said.

Dr. Catlin told commissioners the county had recognized roughly $750,000 of disaster relief funds from the Michigan State Police tied to May events and an additional unbudgeted emergency-management grant of $18,259. Prior-year fund balances previously generated (roughly $627,000) have been applied to priorities including juvenile defense contracts, health‑related funds, and IT training.

Tyler White, the county’s chief deputy treasurer, presented the monthly investment report. As of June 30 the portfolio had a par value of $148,370,353.41 and a market value of $147,820,241.06; the mark‑to‑market variance was about $550,112.35. For the month of June the portfolio earned $589,735.28 on an average daily balance of about $151.2 million, an effective monthly yield of 4.74%. Year‑to‑date investment earnings were reported at $3,750,443.21 (effective rate 4.49%); White said the county is on track to earn between $7.4 million and $7.5 million for the year if trends continue.

White noted that June’s monthly return exceeded the 12‑month inflation rate (2.7% as reported by the Bureau of Labor Statistics for June) and that higher investment allocations cause a more pronounced drawdown of cash during the pre‑tax collection months because property tax receipts are not remitted between February and July. Commissioners praised the treasurer’s office for out‑performance and asked technical questions about reporting of money‑market yields in the investment reporting software.

The board also reviewed an accounts‑payable claims list totaling $5,531,872.67 and a standalone claims list for approval of $5,312,301.85; payroll disbursements were presented as $4,348,520.80 for the July payrolls.

Ending: County leadership said trends point to significant revenue acceleration in Q3 when property taxes are collected, and staff will continue monitoring spending and reporting investment performance to the board.","Administrator Dr. Catlin and Chief Deputy Treasurer Tyler White reported midyear financials: revenues lag property tax timing, expenditures at about 51.6% of budget, and investment returns are outperforming inflation with a projected $7.4–7.5 million in annual investment earnings.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6518415,"Kalamazoo County brownfield plan targets former Westside Medical site for Subaru dealership",768,1635665,2403769,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5392407-ccf46ba0b375fce6a24d892bd2bb7068&start=1635&end=2403","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5392407-ccf46ba0b375fce6a24d892bd2bb7068/thumbnail_1635665.jpg","/articles/6518415/Kalamazoo-County/Michigan/Kalamazoo-County-brownfield-plan-targets-former-Westside-Medical-site-for-Subaru-dealership","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6518415-383b1a098a058658547b34e3e31ad08f/orig.mp4?Expires=1770741271&Signature=DpIZV8sbrNAWrnhLx5U8UYqmdLrV6JWb9eI627J4BNM0x0a7GUC-T4Vy8P~~N3VuD3atjhKaG33gVGxSSqe2PRyh4bMKwEPCATVI2NB4uyE9hplheZNYZy-KHQR02HMwRTxUi5fVkFMaXaKD3NchO9eQvMBO8JBkyBXzHR0wpTduSWsmE-rhBAL5BPI6m7yPAARuXqDrDrLk-zGTb3AhScoPEibuKwT0BOtF-cO6XIzywo8MlMIz1RRDvIbJs2PJDiv2JAtWPdPnI4ii2rxvi3d0~Phy2gnA1mjujDDA-ntwYRTjzUpelqAxOfosStMCM~UFG2lUFXt6K8~Rb8uiXA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Kalamazoo County officials heard a presentation July 15 on a brownfield redevelopment plan for 6565 West Main Street in Oshtemo Township that would convert a functionally obsolete, former medical building into a Subaru dealership campus.

Macy Walters, representing the Kalamazoo County Brownfield Redevelopment Authority (BRA), said the Maple Hill Leasehold LLC plan envisions about 11.14 acres redeveloped into roughly 49,000 square feet of building space, retaining an existing tenant on part of the parcel while demolishing contaminated or lead‑lined portions of the former medical facility.

The developer, Maple Hill Auto Group, estimates roughly $12 million of private investment on the site, retention of about 170 existing jobs and creation of about 31 new full‑time positions. Construction was described as commencing in 2025 with an estimated 18‑month build window and a conservative projected completion in 2026.

Walters outlined the proposed tax increment financing structure under brownfield statute: she reported eligible developer expenses of “a little over $900,000” for environmental due diligence, hazardous‑material surveys and demolition and said the plan models capturing some state taxes (she referenced approximately $128,000 in state capture modeled in the plan) and projected local tax capture just under $8.8 million. The plan length is 19 years, with the last five years directing increment into the local Brownfield Revolving Fund. Walters said the developer would likely be fully reimbursed in about years 14–16 of the plan, and the BRA modeled a 10% administrative capture though actual administrative draw is limited to documented expenses.

Walters told the county board the local BRA voted to recommend the plan on June 26 and Oshtemo Township adopted a supporting resolution July 8. She asked the board to set a public hearing for August 19 and to consider adopting the plan after that hearing. The presentation packet and Brownfield plan were distributed to commissioners in advance.

Developer Jim Vandenberg of Maple Auto Group described the site as an expansion of their existing operations; the company plans community pathways, enhanced stormwater/retention features and energy‑efficient design elements (LED lighting and consideration of geothermal systems). Vandenberg said the project would allow the company to expand onto roughly 15–16.5 acres combined with their existing campus and provide improved roadway access via Seco Drive; he said the site will include public-facing amenities and community meeting spaces that the developer intends to make available to local charities.

Board members asked for clarification on the functional-obsolescence criteria that make the property eligible under Michigan’s Brownfield statute; Walters said a certified assessor’s finding that a building can no longer serve its original use can qualify a site even if contamination is not the sole reason, and she noted this property also had lead‑lined walls requiring demolition.

No county board vote adopting the plan occurred at the July 15 meeting; Walters asked the Board to set a public hearing on August 19 and indicated the BRA and Oshtemo Township already recommended the plan.

Ending: The county will consider setting a public hearing for the brownfield plan at a future meeting; staff and the BRA provided the full Brownfield plan and a finance memo to commissioners for review.","The Kalamazoo County Brownfield Redevelopment Authority and developer presented a plan to redevelop an 11.14‑acre former medical facility at 6565 West Main into a 49,000 sq. ft. Subaru showroom and service campus; the plan uses tax increment capture under a 19‑year Brownfield plan and requests a county public hearing August 19.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6518420,"Kalamazoo County expands ARPA-funded hiring bonuses for sheriff's deputies, approves recruitment 'bounty' program",2035,10112155,12147800,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5392407-ccf46ba0b375fce6a24d892bd2bb7068&start=10112&end=12147","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5392407-ccf46ba0b375fce6a24d892bd2bb7068/thumbnail_10112155.jpg","/articles/6518420/Kalamazoo-County/Michigan/Kalamazoo-County-expands-ARPA-funded-hiring-bonuses-for-sheriffs-deputies-approves-recruitment-bounty-program","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6518420-f4808e39231da62efb61e13a527cea98/orig.mp4?Expires=1770741271&Signature=dR4ROUmTjzRk0QDuTy0FSEX2ilKVrxQW~~LB~And9q0dFOfNo9ylncA3wYGoFj~UIm6OCQm3ZORxrPHeEzte9KrR18IA8f9I53MZLcIG2K9Rm-lbT-fsKmwGJgNA5O55BDdQZlpi~uJ8IidWi-yW-eRfRWexYeRaLJ5VsO-WKRyFX-gcojyxojsI4FAsM19p6zxpHcYWI~CkDWH8ere7Dq8qaPI~Sn2bmpafPfxqni0kyW-wFkrkGARXJhyN0iTE2PZR285XwUaANitCfo9dOB3rbQ588pJThUCPhTECfot4PUE1FvOkTYhtOJcr6VtVYKgUhb1fxe94Ri-OxgpW0A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Kalamazoo County Board of Commissioners voted July 15 to expand a county program that uses American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) money to pay hiring bonuses at the sheriff's office and to authorize an internal recruitment incentive.

Under two separate votes, the board approved allocating remaining ARPA funds to extend the sheriff's hiring bonus to corrections deputies and, in a second vote, to corrections clerks and food‑service specialists. The board also approved a “county bounty” program that will pay a $1,000 referral payment to any sheriff's office employee who recruits a new worker who completes the required probationary period.

The program is an extension of a hiring-and-retention effort the county has used for MCOLES‑certified deputies and, more recently, for nurses. Undersheriff Michelle Greenlee described the proposal as a tool to recruit and retain staff in positions the sheriff's office is having trouble filling, saying the county previously used ARPA funds to send recruits through academy training and to offer hiring bonuses for hard-to-fill classifications.

Greenlee told commissioners the county proposes to add three job classes to the hiring-bonus program: corrections deputies, corrections clerks (the civilian booking/release staff) and food‑service specialists. For the civilian classes the sheriff's office proposed a $5,000 bonus paid in two parts (half up front, half after one year of probation). The county bounty would pay $1,000 to any employee who recruits a new hire who survives the probationary year.

Vice Chair Taylor moved the first, narrower expansion — adding corrections deputies to the bonus program — and the motion passed on roll call (tally: yes 8, no 0). A subsequent motion to extend the ARPA-funded hiring bonuses to corrections clerks and food‑service positions passed on roll call (tally: yes 7, no 1). The board then approved the county bounty program by roll call (tally: yes 8, no 0).

Commissioners raised concerns about longer-term pay and working conditions for civilian jail staff. Several commissioners urged that, while one-time ARPA bonuses can help short-term recruitment, wage increases and improvements to the jail work environment are essential to retain employees and reduce overtime and burnout. Vice Chair Taylor and others noted that the ARPA funds are finite and that sustained wage changes would require bargaining with the unions and budgeting in future general‑fund cycles.

Finance staff said about $120,000–$135,000 remained in the sheriff’s ARPA allotment to pay recruitment and retention incentives; commissioners and county staff acknowledged the pot will be exhausted and that further programs would require another funding source.

Undersheriff Greenlee described the sheriff’s staffing picture: the jail division showed roughly 27 vacancies across sergeant, corrections deputy, corrections clerk and nurse roles, and the agency faces overtime, injured workers and employees on leave that further strain staffing. She told the board the recruitment-and-bounty programs had shown results in other classifications and said the office will also maintain traditional community recruitment efforts and fairs.

The board did not set a new ongoing funding source for the bonuses; officials said any sustained salary increases would be handled through union negotiations and the county’s regular budget process.

Ending: The sheriff’s office will implement the bonus and bounty rules under existing ARPA funding and report back as hires occur; commissioners asked for data on hires and retention rates when the program is evaluated in coming months.","The Board approved reallocating remaining ARPA funds to extend hiring bonuses to corrections deputies and separately to corrections clerks and food service positions; it also approved a $1,000 county bounty payment for employees who successfully recruit new hires.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Local emergency physician raises concerns about Region 5 Healthcare Coalition handling of mobile medical unit and PPE

Kalamazoo County midyear financials show seasonal tax timing, strong investment returns

Kalamazoo County brownfield plan targets former Westside Medical site for Subaru dealership

Kalamazoo County expands ARPA-funded hiring bonuses for sheriff's deputies, approves recruitment 'bounty' program