KALAMAZOO, Mich. — The Kalamazoo City Commision unanimously approved Monday a $137,000 contract for their incoming city manager Jim Ritsema.
Ritsema, currently the city manager in Battle Creek, will leave that post and begin in Kalamazoo Nov. 11. He will replace City Manager Kenneth Collard, who along with 200 other city employees is taking an early retirement plan created by his administration, according to Mayor Bobby Hopewell.
The seven commissioners will review Ritesema’s performance annually and, starting in 2015, will be able to adjust his salary each year accordingly.
