KALAMAZOO, MI (WKZO AM/FM) — Local Governmental units will be getting a windfall from the state, thanks to alcohol sales.
That windfall is set to come from a new state bill that will increase the share that cities and counties get from state alcohol taxes by 48%. This in turn will increase the amount mandated to be spent on substance abuse treatment, with a large share leftover for local units to spend at their discretion.
Kalamazoo County Administrator Kevin Catlin says Commissioners will have to decide how to spend that money.
“The General Fund would increase to 1.185 million from the $665,000,” said Catlin who noted that it would represent a $520,000 increase that was not budgeted for FY 2023.
He says their contract with Southwest Michigan Behavioral Health to provide treatment services, will increase by about $125,000.
“So their amended amount, because we have to still do the 50% at this point, would be $790,474 said Catlin.
The City of Kalamazoo will also be increasing their contribution to that agency as well, because their share of the liquor tax revenue sharing is going up.
Officials say this comes at a time when local units and the state have seen alcohol related deaths double over the last 5 years, with those numbers jumping primarily during the pandemic. They say also that it was the second change in state law involving alcohol that may have a Covid connection in the form of a 2020 bill that permitted bars in entertainment districts to offer ‘drinks-to-go” to offset the decline in business caused by the virus. From there, the City of Kalamazoo enacted a local ordinance amendment, temporarily allowing those drinks on the Mall and in Bronson Park to help downtown taverns.
But despite the state law that was intended to sunset, the Michigan State Senate approved a bill in November to make it permanent.
Studies (Published in the Substance Abuse journal) have shown that pandemic bills like this and others permitting curbside pickup and home delivery of alcohol may have contributed to an uptick in binge drinking and associated public health problems.
Reporting by: John McNeill
