Kalamazoo County Directories

Officials, Departments & Divisions

9th Judicial Circuit Court

Handles criminal cases involving a felony; all civil cases involving $25,000 or more; divorce and custody; personal protection orders, Friend of the Court, paternity and more.

Handles less serious criminal cases and civil infractions. In addition, every criminal case starts in this court even if the trial will be handled by the circuit court. Also handles civil cases involving $25,000 or less, landlord/tenant disputes; small claims (suits that involve $1,750 or less); and land contract forfeitures.

Airport

As the Gateway to Southwest Michigan, the Kalamazoo/Battle Creek International Airport (AZO) serves the region’s almost 800,000 people by providing top-notch facilities and offering flights to and from three of North America’s finest hub airports on American, Delta, and United Airlines.

Animal Services & Enforcement

The department provides humane animal-related services, public education of animal ownership responsibilities, and enforcement of state and local animal laws.

Board of Commissioners

The Board of Commissioners is the legislative policy making branch of Kalamazoo County government. The Board is responsible to the citizens for development and administration of policies and the annual budget.

Buildings & Grounds

The Department of Buildings and Grounds is the maintenance and cleaning arm for County-owned properties.

Community Corrections

The Office of Community Corrections develops programs to hold offenders accountable for their criminal behavior while providing rehabilitative services to help them maintain a law-abiding lifestyle.

County Clerk

The keeper of Vital Records.

County Identification Program

The Kalamazoo County ID is intended to recognize all Kalamazoo County residents and enable them to connect with public safety, civic, and community services.

Drain Commissioner

The Office of the Drain Commissioner is established by the Michigan Constitution responsible for enforcing the Michigan Drain Code of 1956, as amended, which includes constructing and maintaining drains, determining drainage districts and assessing necessary costs.

Elections

The Elections Division of the County Clerk oversees all elections in Kalamazoo County in accordance with Michigan and Federal Election Law.

Emergency Management

The Emergency Management Office is responsible to plan, coordinate and manage a consolidated emergency management program for Kalamazoo County.

Equalization

The Equalization Department studies assessments to determine inflationary valuation changes for each assessment unit and taxing authority. The department determines the County equalized and taxable values.

Finance

The Office of Finance is responsible for budgeting and financial planning activities for the Board of Commissioners and departments; accounting requirements for all County operating funds, special purpose construction and operating grant funds, trust funds, and any other funds deposited with the Kalamazoo County Treasurer; grant financial administration; and administration of the retirement system and retiree health trust.

Health and Human Services

The Health & Community Services Department improves the community’s health through coordinated planning, resource development and service delivery so that all members of the community can participate in the opportunities, benefits and responsibilities of society.

Housing

Kalamazoo County Housing Department under the management of the Director will lead the visioning, creation and implementation of Kalamazoo County Government’s countywide housing strategy.

Human Resources

The Human Resources Department is responsible for recruiting job applicants, job postings, administration of benefits, policy management and interpretation, employee safety/workers' compensation, payroll, oversight of all position descriptions, employee wellness initiatives, and maintaining the official records of employees.

Information Technology

Information Technology (IT) is responsible for analyzing, planning, managing, implementing and maintaining information and technology based systems for the entire County, including hardware, software and infrastructure for networking and telecommunications systems.

Medical Examiner

The Medical Examiner is appointed by the Board of Commissioners and is a licensed physician. This office investigates all cases of sudden, unexpected, violent and accidental death, as well as deaths that occur without medical attendance.

Office of Administrator

The County Administrator and his staff assist the Board of Commissioners in developing, implementing and maintaining management policies and programs, as well as the County’s annual budget. He serves as the County’s chief administrative officer, reporting to the Board of Commissioners and provides oversight to 14 appointed departmental officials and provides fiscal and management support to the County’s 15 judges and six elected officers.

Parks and Expo Center

Kalamazoo’s County Parks provide responsible stewardship and preservation of our green spaces and historic resources with relaxation, recreation and educational opportunities for everyone.

Planning and Development

The Planning Department provides staff assistance to the County Planning Commission and other citizen advisory boards who provide coordinated community development and leadership for other units of government. Source for demographic, geographic and economic data, also Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and maps.

Probate Court

Handles the transfer of property from a person who has died to the property's rightful owners. Also handles guardianships, conservatorships, trusts, and mental illness.

Prosecuting Attorney

Responsible for the constitutional office of Prosecuting Attorney, to serve as chief administrator of criminal justice for Kalamazoo County.

Purchasing

Purchasing coordinates procurement for all departments; provides equipment, materials, supplies, and services at economical prices by seeking competition; and evaluates proposals while taking into account the needs and best interest of County government.

Register of Deeds

The Kalamazoo County Register of Deeds office is the keeper of the records for land documents.

Sheriff’s Office

Responsible for law enforcement, emergency management and operating the correction facility.

Treasurer

The Treasurer is the custodian of County monies, collector of all county revenue and the agent for the delinquent tax revolving funds.

Veterans Service Office

The Veterans Service Office assists the veterans of Kalamazoo County who are in need of services they have become entitled to by reason of their service in the United States military.

Vital Records

Vital Records are birth, death, and marriage records as well as Concealed Pistol License (CPL), Doing Business As (DBA) permits and Public Notary applications. Certified copies of birth, death, and marriage records may be obtained from the County Clerk's Office.

Other Organizations within Kalamazoo County

Integrated Services of Kalamazoo (ISK)

Integrated Services of Kalamazoo (ISK) is the mental health authority for Kalamazoo County, Michigan. All public funding for mental health services for Kalamazoo residents is authorized and flows through ISK. ISK assures a comprehensive and coordinated array of services available to Kalamazoo County consumers who may have a mental illness, substance abuse disorder, or developmental disability.

Kalamazoo Defender

Kalamazoo Defender is this County's first public defender office. The County selected Kalamazoo Defender as the provider of indigent defense services in October of 2018, and following discussions on how the relationship would operate, a contract was signed in January of 2019.

Land Bank Authority

The Kalamazoo County Land Bank Authority was created under the provisions of the Michigan Land Bank Fast Track Act, 2003 P.A. 258, 124.571 et seq., and the intergovernmental agreement by and between the Michigan Land Bank Fast Track Authority and the Treasurer of Kalamazoo County.