Take Action
All vendor proposals were submitted by the June 24, 2026 deadline. Kalamazoo County is now evaluating those proposals and selecting the next contract. The contract has not been voted on yet, and there is no requirement that the public be given a formal opportunity to comment before a vote happens. The steps below are the most direct ways to stay engaged right now.
Write to the Decision-Makers
The contract has not been voted on yet, and there is no requirement that a public comment period be held before that vote. Emailing your commissioners now to ask for one is the most direct action available. Commissioners who hear from constituents before a contract vote are more likely to build in a public input opportunity before it comes up for approval. A few sentences in your own words carries real weight, and you do not need to cover every point below.
What to include in your email
- Who you are and your connection to Kalamazoo County or to this issue
- That you are writing about the jail telecommunications contract currently under evaluation (RFP #2026009)
- A specific request for a formal public comment period before the Board votes to approve the new contract
- A request for full public transparency on all final contract terms, rates, and fee schedules once the agreement is finalized
- A request that the new contract include explicit written language prohibiting site commissions and signing bonuses, not just a general commitment to comply with federal law
- A request for an explicit rate ceiling of $0.10 per minute or lower written directly into the contract as an enforceable term
- A request that deposit, transaction, and operator fees be explicitly prohibited in the contract as enforceable local terms
- Any personal experience you have with this issue, if you are comfortable sharing it
Show Up In Person
The Board of Commissioners holds public comment at every regular meeting. You have three minutes at the microphone and you do not need to register in advance. When people show up in person, especially as a group, it communicates something that written communication alone cannot. Raising this issue at a Board meeting while the contract is still being evaluated keeps it visible and on the record. CCJT will share here when the contract comes up for a vote, and that will be the most impactful moment to show up in person.
Regular Board Meeting: 6:30 PM
Kalamazoo, MI 49007
What to cover in three minutes
- Start by introducing yourself: your name, where you live in the county, and any personal connection you have to this issue
- Name the specific situation: the current contract structure, the rate families pay, and how that compares to other facilities using the same vendor
- Reference the timing: proposals were submitted June 24, the county is now evaluating them, and the Board will be asked to vote on a five-year contract before the current agreement expires November 9, 2026
- Ask specifically for a public comment period before any vote on the new contract
- State at least one specific ask from the campaign by name, so it is clearly on the record
Spread the Word
One of the most helpful things you can do after getting involved yourself is make sure someone else knows about this. Share this site with anyone in your network who has ever paid for a jail phone call, has had someone close to them go through the county jail, or cares about how Kalamazoo County structures its contracts. The broader the conversation, the more it matters when a vote is scheduled.
Questions or Want to Get Involved?
If you want to be part of this campaign in any way, have questions about the contract process, or want to share your experience with jail telecommunications in Kalamazoo County, please fill out our contact form. There is no formal commitment and no requirement.