Michigan Officials Oppose Health Advisory Committee Measures

Local leaders in Portage and Kalamazoo urge voters to reject health-related charter amendments on next week's ballot.

Updated on Oct. 26, 2026 in City Hall

Isometric editorial illustration featuring a clean geometric municipal building facade, representing Michigan local government policy and civic governance. — Portage and Kalamazoo city officials are urging voters to reject ballot initiatives that would create new Health Advisory Committees next week. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Should voters in your community support the proposed Health Advisory Committee ballot initiative?

City officials in Portage and Kalamazoo are actively opposing proposed ballot initiatives to establish new Health Advisory Committees. The measures are set to appear before voters in six Michigan communities next week.

Why it matters

These ballot initiatives, orchestrated by the Berrien County-based group Berrien Forward, seek to amend local city charters. Officials are speaking out against the proposals, questioning the utility and governance structure of these proposed committees.

The proposed Health Advisory Committee initiative appears on the ballots of six Michigan communities. The measure was placed on the ballot after the group Berrien Forward successfully hired individuals to collect the required signatures.

The players

Nicole Miller

She is a member of the Portage City Council and has publicly stated her opposition to the health initiative.

Vic Ledbetter

He serves as a member of the Portage City Council and opposes the proposed charter amendment.

Berrien Forward

This group is based in Berrien County and is responsible for placing the charter amendments on ballots across six Michigan communities.

The details

In addition to Portage and Kalamazoo, the initiatives are on the ballots in Battle Creek, Benton Harbor, Lansing, and East Lansing. Portage City Council members Nicole Miller and Vic Ledbetter have formally stated their opposition to the proposal.

The local election ballots featuring these initiatives will be decided next week.

Political Context

The ballot initiatives test the limits of local charter amendments permitted under the Michigan Home Rule City Act. Opponents argue that the committees could disrupt existing administrative structures while supporters utilize the legal petition process to bypass council approval.

Voters in the six affected municipalities will determine whether these new health committees become part of their city government structure. The outcome will dictate whether local tax dollars must be allocated to support these new oversight bodies.

The takeaway

Citizens should review their specific municipal ballots to understand the full scope of the proposed charter amendments. Assessing the committee's planned authority and budgetary requirements is essential before casting a vote.