KALAMAZOO, MI (WKZO AM/FM) – Kalamazoo County voters will decide this August whether to raise property taxes to expand pre-school childcare in the county.
A divided county board spent over an hour debating and word-smithing the language for the millage request last night.
While it was clear everyone agreed the lack of childcare is a big problem that needs fixing, Republicans parted with Democrats on whether a millage was the best way to address it.
Here’s commissioner John Gisler.
Vice chair pro tem Jeff Heppler had this to say.
Democrats supported the proposal but couldn’t agree on whether they should limit who is eligible, and the term of the millage.
Commissioners Dale DeLeeuw and Tami Ray felt the original language calling for a 10-year millage that was limited to kids who are 5 and under was the best.
Chair Jen Strebs felt the money should be spent where it’s needed the most, and that will be sorted out by the professionals, who should have options to meet changing conditions, if it passes.
They altered it slightly to make it more flexible. The biggest change was reducing the life of the millage from 10 to 8 years before it needs to be renewed.
The half mill request will appear on the August 4th ballot.
I understand and support the concerns raised by Commissioners Dale DeLeeuw and Tami Ray regarding expanding this proposed childcare millage beyond children ages 5 and under.
The original focus on early childhood was clear, targeted, and easier for taxpayers to measure for accountability. Expanding the language beyond that age group creates concerns about mission drift and opens the door for the same centralized systems that already struggle to serve many of Kalamazoo County’s most vulnerable families.
As someone who has worked directly with low-income families across Kalamazoo County, I have seen firsthand that many children under 200% of the poverty level remain on waitlists, not because there is no funding available, but because access to services is often uneven and inconsistent. Families facing transportation barriers, nontraditional work schedules, housing instability, cultural differences, or limited familiarity with complex systems are frequently the ones left behind.
My concern is not whether childcare deserves investment. It absolutely does. My concern is whether additional taxpayer funding will truly reach the children and families it is intended to help, or whether it will continue flowing into systems that already have a history of leaving many eligible families underserved.
I have never imagined supporting a property tax increase on myself. However, if taxpayers are being asked to make that sacrifice, then the program must remain narrowly focused, transparent, measurable, and accountable to the families most in need… especially children ages 0–5 who are currently waitlisted right here in Kalamazoo County.
Before expanding eligibility beyond early childhood, the County should first demonstrate that the existing unmet need among our youngest and most vulnerable children is being addressed fairly and effectively.