Take Action
The county is still in the process of preparing the new Request for Proposal, which means there is still an opportunity for community input to shape what goes into it. Getting a contract right takes sustained engagement over time. The steps below are a starting point for getting involved.
Write to the Decision-Makers
Elected officials and administrators pay attention to constituent emails, especially ones that are personal and specific. The points below are the things that matter most to raise. You do not need to cover all of them. Even one or two, in your own words and from your own perspective, is valuable. The most important thing is that they hear from real people in this community.
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 upcoming jail telecommunications contract renewal, before the current agreement expires November 9, 2026
- A request for full public transparency on all contract terms and rates going forward, updated annually
- A request for a formal release procedure that addresses account balance notification when someone leaves the jail
- A request that the new contract eliminate site commissions and signing bonuses
- An explicit rate ceiling of $0.10 per minute or lower written into the RFP itself
- A request that deposit, transaction, and operator fees be explicitly prohibited in the new contract
- 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. If you have never spoken at a public meeting before, the tips below are a good starting point.
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: the contract expires November 2026 and the RFP is being prepared now, which is exactly the moment community input is most meaningful
- 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.
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 reach out. There is no formal commitment and no requirement. We would just love to hear from you.
Email us at ccjtkalamazoo@gmail.com