Kalamazoo County administrator previews balanced $97 million general fund budget; board to finalize in October

Administrator Dr. Catlin presented a preview of Kalamazoo County’s recommended fiscal year 2026 budget on Sept. 2, telling the Board of Commissioners the plan as presented is balanced and includes about $4.9 million available to address new capital and operating requests.

The budget preview showed $97.1 million in general-fund revenue against $93.5 million in general-fund expenditures, leaving roughly $2 million available for operating requests and additional dividend income of about $1.5 million that Dr. Catlin said administration is proposing to direct to capital needs. He described the presentation as “a preview, still a work in progress,” and said the budget book would be published Sept. 16 with a target for final approval in October so payroll changes can take effect Jan. 1, 2026.

Why it matters: The preview lays out the county’s available resources and the board’s priorities for next year — public safety, employee investments and community stability — while flagging near-term choices on how to use limited one-time and ongoing…