Board of Commissioners

The Kalamazoo County Aeronautics Board of Trustees is responsible for the authoritative oversight of the Airport, and for the nurturing and development of the Airport as a key economic development and marketing tool for the entire Southwest Michigan Region.  Meeting dates, time, and location are posted on the Kalamazoo/Battle Creek International Airport at: https://flyazo.com/public-notices/

Contact:  Airport Director Craig Williams 269-388-3668 or by email.

The Animal Services and Enforcement Advisory Board provides advice on animal control issues to the Animal Services Department and Board of Commissioners. Meeting dates, time, and location are posted on the County’s Public Meeting Notice page.

Contact: Chad Ensign 269-383-8771 or by email.

The County Apportionment Commission consists of the County Clerk, the County Treasurer, the Prosecuting Attorney, the County chairperson of the Democratic Party and the County chairperson of the Republican Party.The Kalamazoo County Apportionment Commission is responsible for establishing the number of seats and boundaries of the Kalamazoo County Board of Commissioner districts within the County every 10 years after the census has been completed. Administration support is provided by the Office of the County Clerk.

Contact:  Meredith Place, County Clerk & Register of Deeds at 269-384-8141 or by email.

The Board of County Canvassers is comprised of two Democrats and two Republicans appointed by the Board of Commissioners according to State Law to alternating four-year terms. Canvassers are responsible for certification of election returns for all national, state, local and school offices and proposals. The Board is also responsible for conducting recounts for all units of government in the County. The Office of the County Clerk provides administrative support.

Contact: Meredith Place, County Clerk & Register of Deeds at 269-384-8141 or by email.

The Board of Public Works deals with public infrastructure review and development.  Appointments are made for three-year terms of office.  Meeting dates, time, and location are posted on the County’s Public Meeting Notice page.

Contact:  Rachael Grover 269-384-8115 or by email.

The Central County Transportation Authority was created in August 2014 as part of the goal to regionalize public transit.   The public transit system was transferred from the City of Kalamazoo to the CCTA on October 1, 2016.  The 11-member CCTA board is responsible for the policy decisions related to operating the regional public transit system.  The CCTA levies a 0.896 millage in the urban area of Kalamazoo County to fund the fixed-route bus system.  Meeting dates, time, and location are posted https://www.kmetro.com/our-team/central-county-transportation-authority

Contact:  Sean McBride 269-337-8087 or visit www.kmetro.com.

The Community Corrections Advisory Board (CCAB) reviews topics related to new or changing issues in correc­tions.  The primary mission of the CCAB is to develop, implement, monitor, and evaluate programs that provide alternatives to incarceration for non-violent offenders in order to reduce jail and prison overcrowd­ing. These appointments are representative of prosecution, courts, law enforcement, media, human services, defense attorneys, and the business communi­ty. Appointments are made for two-year terms of office. Meeting dates, time, and location are posted on the County’s Public Meeting Notice page.

Contact: Ken Bobo 269-383-6434 or by email.

The Kalamazoo County Construction Project Advisory Committee/County Building Authority was established for the purposes of providing recommendations during the construction of new County facilities.  The Building Authority oversees County building authority bond-funded projects and the Kalamazoo County Construction Project Advisory Committee oversees bond-funded projects and non-bond funded projects that are paid out of funds set aside for the project.  Appointments are made for three-year terms of office. Meeting dates, time, and location are posted on the County’s Public Meeting Notice page.

Contact Buildings & Grounds at 269-384-8954.

Kalamazoo County Department of Health & Human Services deals with human services matters within the County.  Appointments are made for three-year terms of office.

Contact:  Kalamazoo County Department of Health & Human Services Director Matthew Kuzma, 269-337-5000.

The Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DEI) Community Advisory Committee was created by the Kalamazoo County Board of Commissioners. The purpose of this committee is to discuss and propose strategies and best practices to discourage and prevent discriminatory practices within the County and the community we serve and to sustain a welcoming and enriching environment within Kalamazoo County Government. 

The Committee will be requested to examine the County’s (internal organization and/or external community interactions) policies, practices, and procedures and May coordinate with staff, the Courts, and/or Elected Officials to make recommendations to the Board of Commissioners. The 9-member committee will reflect the diverse community of Kalamazoo County Appointments are made for three-year terms of office. Meeting dates, time, and location are posted on the County’s Public Meeting Notice page.

Contact: Alvin Gray:  269-383-8920 or by email.

The Brownfield Redevelopment Authority (KCBRA) facilitates the redevelopment of environmentally contaminated and underutilized properties located within participating municipalities through the use of tax increment financing and other incentives as authorized by state Brownfield redevelopment legislation.  The KCBRA serves those local units in the County who are not currently served by a local brownfield Authority.  (Members of the KCBRA are automatically members of the Economic Development Corporation Board of Directors).  Meeting dates, time, and location are posted on the County’s Public Meeting Notice page.

Contact:  Macy Walters 269-384-8305

Acting when needed as the Economic Development Corporation, The Economic Development Corporation (EDC) Board of Directors meets on an as-needed basis immediately following the KCBRA meeting. The Board deals with specific projects within Kalamazoo County that are funded through bonding. Its purpose is to assist local industrial and commercial enterprises in their development and expansion programs. Its purpose is to assist local industrial and commercial enterprises in their development and expansion programs.  (This board has one Annual Meeting per year– Members of this Board are automatically members of the Brownfield Redevelopment Authority) 

Appoint­ments are made for six-year terms of office.  A Director serving as an officer or employee of the county (public official) will have their term with the Authority expire with the expiration of service as a public official, including expiration of the public official’s service through resignation or removal from the position as a public official.  Meeting dates, time, and location are posted on the County’s Public Meeting Notice page.

Contact:   Macy Walters 269-384-8305 or by email.

The Election Commission is comprised of the Chief Judge of the Probate Court, the County Treasurer and the County Clerk. The Commission is responsible for approval of ballot preparation for state and county elections, and approving or denying the clarity of language in petitions to recall elected officials. Administration support is provided by the Office of the County Clerk.

Contact:  Meredith Place, County Clerk & Register of Deeds at 269-384-8141 or by email.

The Environmental Health Advisory Council (EHAC) serves as an informed advocacy body and sounding board for matters of policy that affect the lives of citizens who need environmental health services.  In addition, it advises the County Board of Commis­sioners on environ­men­tal matters.  Appointments are made for three-year terms of office.  Meeting dates, time, and location are posted on the County’s Public Meeting Notice page.

Contact:  Lucus Pols 269-373-5356 or by email.

The nine-member Fair Advisory Council was established by the Board of Commissioners under Public Act 11 of 1929.  The goal of the Fair Council is to provide a quality family-oriented fair that supports the 4-H youth as well as promotes and encourages the agricultural and tourism industries in Kalamazoo County.  Appointments are for three-year terms.  Meeting dates, time, and location are posted on the County’s Public Meeting Notice page.

Contact:  David Rachowicz at 269-383-8778 or by email.

The Community Mental Health Board deals with provision of mental health services; membership categories are:  general public, providers of mental health services, recipients and consumers of mental health services, agencies and occupa­tions having a working involvement with mental health services.   Appointments are made for three-year terms of office.  Meeting dates, time, location can be found:  https://iskzoo.org/ 

Contact: Jeff Patton 269-269-553-8000.

The Jury Board provides community oversight and input to the court regarding the jury system.  Meeting dates, time, and location can be found at https://www.kalcounty.com/courts/jury/contact.htm

Contact: Jury Services at 269-384-8352.

The 9-member Kalamazoo County Transportation Authority Board works in coordination with the CCTA to plan, promote, finance, operate, the public transportation in Kalamazoo County.  The KCTA levies a 0.315 millage in Kalamazoo County to the Metro Connect demand-response service.   Meeting dates, time location can be found https://www.kmetro.com/our-team/kalamazoo-county-transportation-authority

Contact:  Sean McBride 269-337-8087 or www.kmetro.com.

The Kalamazoo County Land Bank Authority Board is responsible for the authoritative oversight of the land bank, for the purpose of acquiring, assembling, disposing of, and quieting title to property, including tax- reverted property, to foster the development of the property, and to promote economic growth in Kalamazoo County.  Meeting dates, time, location is noted at www.kalamazoolandbank.org

Contact:  Sidney Ellis 269-762-6191 or email us at landbank@kalamazoolandbank.org

The Kalamazoo County Identification Program Advisory Board assists in providing general oversight of the County ID Program, established by the Board of Commissioners in 2017.  The Advisory Board will provide evaluations of the ID program, reporting to the Board of Commissioners at regular intervals.  Appointments are made for three-year terms of office. Meeting dates, time, and location are posted on the County’s Public Meeting Notice page.

Contact:  Meredith Place, County Clerk & Register of Deeds at 269-384-8141 or by email.

The Kalamazoo Metropolitan County Planning Commission (KMCPC) deals with planning and land use issues within Kalamazoo County.  Appointments are made for three-year terms of office.   Meeting dates, time, and location are posted on the County’s Public Meeting Notice page.

Contact:  Rachael Grover 269-384-8115 or by email.

The Older Adult Services Advisory Council's primary function is to act in an advisory capacity to the County Board of Commissioners through the Health & Community Services Department related to the provision of services to the senior population of the Kalamazoo community.  Membership requirements state that half the members must be age 60 or over, and other members may represent a nutrition provider, social service provider, a local elected official and general public.  Appointments are made for three-year terms of office.   Meeting dates, time, and location are posted on the County’s Public Meeting Notice page.

Contact: Don Saldia 269-373-5187 or by email.

The purpose of the Open Database is to improve transparency, access to public information, and improve coordination and efficiencies among agencies and partner organizations across the public, non-profit, and private sectors.

The Open Data Citizen Oversight and Advisory Committee helps to incorporate public perspectives into policy implementation. The committee shall to the extent practical and financially feasible (1) encourage County departments, elected officials, and the Courts to collaborate and to oversee execution and implementation of the Open Database; (2) identify existing and potential datasets for release as part of the Open Database and work periodically with Information Services and County departments, elected officials, and the Courts to plan and develop new datasets, review existing datasets, set Open Database priorities, prioritize data releases, recommend appropriate citation forms; maintain descriptors that define the published data; republish datasets; and release datasets online to the public where data/information in hard copy (printed reports, posters, brochure es, etc.) or soft copy (PDF, web content, etc.) that has already been released to the public, including any available public feed; (3) plan, implement, update, and identify metrics and measures of current datasets when planning the creation of new datasets/databases or scheduling technology enhancements; and (4) appropriately safeguard sensitive information.

The Parks and Recreation Commission was created by the Board of Commissioners under Public Act 261 of 1965.  In general, its function is to oversee, plan, develop, preserve, administer, maintain and operate public parks and recreational facilities in Kalamazoo County.  Appointments are made for three-year terms of office.  Meeting dates, time, and location are posted on the County’s Public Meeting Notice page.

Contact:  David Rachowicz at 269-383-8778 or by email.

Board Members and Meeting Information

The County Plat Board is composed of the County Board of Commissioners Chair, who shall act as chairman; the County Clerk/Register of Deeds, who shall act as Secretary, and the County Treasurer (MCL 560.102 (r)).The Plat Board is created by State Law and is responsible for the examination and approval or denial of all proposed plats (or plans for subdividing land) in the County. The Office of the County Clerk provides administrative support. Contact: Meredith Place 269-384-8141 or email.

The Public Housing Commission attempts to help area residents gain access to decent, affordable housing.  Meeting dates, time, and location are posted on the County’s Public Meeting Notice page.

Contact: Lockhart Management & Consulting, LLC 269-350-2040.

The most recent update on the progress of the Public Housing Commission Millage Program is available here, and the recent evaluation report of the LHAF Millage Program is available by request.

The function of the Kalamazoo County Remonumentation Peer Review Group is to review and reach consensus on the location of original public land survey corners presented by surveyors before the county accepts the corners for filing under its county Remonumentation plan. The Peer Review Group consists of a minimum of 3 licensed surveyors appointed for a 3-year term. The County Surveyor is a member, County representative and also the Chair of the Peer Review Group. Meeting dates, time, and location are posted on the County’s Public Meeting Notice page.

Contact:  Rachael Grover 269-384-8115 or by email.

The Retirement Investment Committee’s purpose is to manage the assets of the County's Retirement System.  Appointments are made for three-year terms of office.  Meeting dates, time, and location are posted on the County’s Public Meeting Notice page.

Contact: Ryan Post 269-384-8090

The Board of County Road Commissioners a separate legal entity, is charged with the responsibility for construction and maintenance of the Kalamazoo County infrastructure system.  At least four of the five Board members must reside in a township and are 6 year staggered terms.

Contact:  Joanna Johnson 269-381-3171; www.kalamazoocountyroads.com

The Sewage & Water Board of Appeals exists to provide interpretations and/or exceptions of the provisions of the regulations contained in Article II of the Kalamazoo County Sanitary Code, namely Onsite Sewage Treatment Regulations.  This board consists of three community members: a registered onsite sewage treatment system installer, an active builder and member of the Home Builders Association of Greater Kalamazoo, and a resident of Kalamazoo County.  Meeting dates, time, and location are posted on the County’s Public Meeting Notice page.

Contact: Lucus Pols at 269-373-5172 or by email.

The Solid Waste Management Planning Committee (SWMPC) reviews and approves proposed amendments to the County Solid Waste Management Plan or recommends other possible updates and amendments to the Plan.  Appointments are made for three-year terms of office in the following represen­tation categories:  Regional Solid Waste Planning Agency, solid waste management industry, general public, county, city and township governments, environmental interest groups, and industrial waste generator. Meeting dates, time, and location are posted on the County’s Public Meeting Notice page.

Contact:  Rachael Grover 384-8115 or by email.

The Southcentral Michigan Planning Council (SMPC) is one of 14 State Planning and Development Regions. SMPC represents Branch, Calhoun, Kalamazoo, and St. Joseph Counties. The goals of SMPC are: improve regional economic health, improve transportation systems, promote regional cooperation and planning, assist local entities with community planning, and encourage regional recreation planning. SMPC board members are expected to attend the monthly meetings and possible committee meetings. Local business and municipal leaders are encouraged to apply for board appointment. For Meeting dates, time, location: http://smpcregion3.org/meeting-information/. 

Contact: Lee Adams, 269-385-0409, info@smpcregion3.org.

In accordance with the Code and the Intergovernmental Contract, the purposes of the Board are as follows: (a) Approval of any portion of SWMBH’s budget that contains 1986 PA 2 (MCL 211.24e(11)) funds (“PA 2 Funds”) for the treatment or prevention of substance use disorders which shall be used only for substance use disorder treatment and prevention in the Counties from which the PA 2 Funds originated; (b) Advise and make recommendations regarding SWMBH’s budgets for substance use disorder treatment or prevention using non PA 2 Funds; and (c) Advise and make recommendations regarding contracts with substance use disorder treatment or prevention providers.

Contact Michelle Jacobs, 269-488-6845 or michelle.jacobs@swmbh.org

The Veterans Affairs Committee is responsible for administering the County Veteran Service Office which coordinates and administers benefits to veterans. Minimum requirements include:   demonstrated knowledge, skills, and experience in public service, business or finance.  In addition, it is anticipated that members of the committee will be willing to learn legal principals associated with the delivery of benefits to veterans. They should also have or develop familiarity with other V.A., County, and non-governmental programs that aid veterans, and should be willing to engage in outreach to veteran and community organizations. Appointments are made for four-year terms of office.  Meeting dates, time, and location are posted on the County’s Public Meeting Notice page.

Contact Lauren King:  269-373-5361 or by email.