Wakeshma Township, a member of the South Kalamazoo County Fire Authority, plans to exit the six-member agency in 2026, the second community to do so.
Vicksburg Village Council members were recently given an update on the agency and the impending membership changes. Details were shared by council member Carl Keller, who serves as the village’s liaison to the authority’s board.
Keller elaborated on the issue at the village council’s Feb. 24 meeting. He had previously discussed Brady Township’s plan to exit and revealed in March that Wakeshma Township also plans to drop out. Brady and Wakeshma townships will remain on the board through March 31, 2026. The organization’s bylaws require at least a year’s advance notice of a departure.
He said Wakeshma Township plans to partner with the community of Climax.
“I think they figure they’re going to get better coverage, potentially, going with Climax,” Keller said.
Keller then shifted his focus to a letter by authority attorney Craig Rolfe. Keller said he received a copy in advance of the agency’s Feb. 19 board meeting.
“I’ve been very quiet on what I’ve been hearing from different entities … we made a decision that because Mr. Rolfe represents two of the entities in the authority and also the authority, that that was not acceptable,” Keller said. “There is a line he had in his letter: ‘I recently have become concerned that the interests of the various municipal members of the authority may no longer be well aligned as they seem to have been for most of the authority’s existence.’”
Keller then shared a portion of a prepared statement issued by Wakeshma Township and read by its supervisor at its February board meeting. The statement indicated concerns centering on the lack of trust in the SKCFA board’s decision-making process, a disregard for the authority’s governing agreement, and a misalignment between the board’s vision and Wakeshma Township’s best interests.
Keller noted wording between the two statements were different but their meaning was the same.
“When the previous chair of the authority was stepping down in October, it was said publicly that it was due to the current climate of politics – and then when the township supervisor from Brady announced that they were looking to leave, a similar (statement) was made,” Keller said. “I have been quiet through all this (but) tonight I want to let the residents of Vicksburg know, and this council, that I represent the taxpayers of Vicksburg and this council.”
Keller, added that the issue has nothing to do with the agency’s firefighters.
“When I ask questions on that board, I am asking on behalf of (Vicksburg taxpayers) and you,” he said. “I think it’s a great opportunity for us to make systems better. … When I ask questions or another member asks questions, we’re doing it for a reason.”
Keller at previous village council meetings repeatedly indicated frustration over the lack of a legitimate and timely response from SKCFA board members related to general questions about agency expenditures and accountability.
Village Council member Ryan Wagner added his thoughts on the matter.
“I sincerely hope that the tone of the authority that we’re all members of and represent doesn’t have anything to do with the recent urges for accountability, transparency and modeling best practice,” Wagner said. “Because, if any of those are issues with the member authorities which are not enjoying the current climate, then I challenge them to look within.”
During the council’s March 17 meeting, Keller confirmed both Brady and Wakeshma townships voted earlier in the month to leave the fire authority.
In other business Feb. 24, Village Manager Jim Mallery said a budget allocation has been made for two, part-time positions.
The first is 10 hours per week and involves coordinating social-media communication and community calendar, and assisting with event planning and village branding. Mallery said $12,000 has been reserved for the post.
The other is a data-entry position. Its role requires leading the effort to digitize historic village documentation, assisting with customer service, utility data and input, and eventually overseeing accounts payable for Angels Crossing. Mallery said the position’s weekly hours will vary between 20 and 24 hours, and comes with a $23,000 budget.
Funding for both positions will come from the village’s general fund, Mallery said. The part-time jobs were to be filled immediately.
In addition, Mallery forecast the need to add a full-time police officer to the municipal force. If the position is approved and filled, the full-time officer would start July 1.
The council approved purchase of a new portable performance stage. It will replace a 25-year-old stage – typically used by bands – that Mallery deemed unsafe due to its age and condition.
The $7,700 purchase comes from the village’s Parks and Recreation fund. The 12-by-16-foot stage will come from Clare-based Stage Right and be in use during this year’s Burg Days events.
