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Commission agrees to negotiate joint authority for county event‑center assessment district
Summary
The commission voted to participate in negotiations to create a joint authority for the Kalamazoo County Event Center Assessment District; Discover Kalamazoo staff said assessment revenue collection began June 1 and will support initial operating needs and debt service for the facility.
The Kalamazoo City Commission voted July 7 to participate in negotiations to form a joint authority for the Kalamazoo County Event Center Assessment District.
Jane Ghosh of Discover Kalamazoo told commissioners the facility financing is authorized under the Event Center Financing Act and that local hotels approved the assessment by an 82 percent vote. Ghosh said assessment revenue collection began June 1 and is expected to generate about $1.9 million in the current year, with additional revenue in 2026 and 2027. Discover Kalamazoo and county leaders are projecting early operating deficits, she said, but assessment revenue and potential county bonding are expected to cover initial gaps until the facility reaches projected positive operating performance.
Commissioners asked about risk and who would cover early deficits; Ghosh said assessment revenues will first service debt and that the county has expressed willingness to bond for construction if necessary. The commission supported advancing negotiations and forming an authority with representation for hoteliers and other stakeholders.
The resolution to participate in negotiations passed by roll call.
Next steps: staff and county partners will continue drafting the authority framework and return to the commission as negotiations progress.
