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Kalamazoo County previews a balanced FY26 budget with roughly $4.9 million to allocate
Summary
Administrator Dr. Catlin presented a FY26 budget preview showing general fund revenue of about $97.1 million and expenditures of $93.5 million, leaving roughly $2 million for operating and, with other adjustments, about $4.9 million total available for operating and capital requests. Commissioners probed vacancies, fringe costs and prioritized law enforcement, fleet and housing projects.
Kalamazoo County Administrator Dr. Catlin on Sept. 2 delivered a preview of the recommended fiscal 2026 operating budget and the board’s available dollars for new requests.
Catlin told commissioners the general fund revenue forecast sits at roughly $97.1 million while general fund expenditures are about $93.5 million, leaving just over $2 million for new operating requests. The administrator also said the county increased projected dividend income by $1.5 million—earmarked to address capital needs—bringing total discretionary funding for operating and capital to about $4.9 million.
Why it matters: The preview establishes the starting point for commission decisions that will shape hiring, law enforcement budgets, capital improvements and one-time projects. Catlin framed the budget as balanced but cautioned that federal and state funding reductions remain a risk.
Major allocations proposed in the presentation included: staffing and operating requests in the public safety bucket…
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