About this project
Built by the people.
For the people.
The Kalamazoo Transparency Act is a civic project that uses Michigan's Freedom of Information Act to hold local government accountable. No political affiliation. No corporate sponsors. Just the law and the community it protects.
Why this exists
Because transparency should not require a fight.
Michigan passed the Freedom of Information Act in 1976 to guarantee that every person has access to public records. Nearly 50 years later, most people in Kalamazoo have never filed a FOIA request. Most do not know they can. And the agencies that are supposed to serve them count on that.
This project changes the equation. We file the requests so you do not have to. We track every deadline so agencies cannot hide behind bureaucracy. And when they violate the law, we build the public record that holds them accountable.
Our principles
What we stand for.
Transparency is a right, not a favor
Public agencies exist to serve the public. When they withhold information, they are breaking the deal. We are here to enforce that deal.
The law is enough
We do not need new legislation. Michigan FOIA already gives the people everything they need. The problem is not the law. It is that no one enforces it.
Only public data, always
We never request personal information, sealed records, or anything that requires redaction. Every request targets data the public is already entitled to receive.
Accountability through documentation
Every request, every deadline, every response or silence is logged publicly on this site. The record speaks for itself.
Community over politics
This is not a partisan project. Transparency is not a left or right issue. Every person in Kalamazoo benefits when their government operates in the open.
Enforcement when necessary
We prefer cooperation. But when an agency refuses to follow the law, the community funds the legal action to compel compliance. Michigan FOIA gives us that right.
How it works
Simple. Relentless. Legal.
We identify what is public
For each agency, we research exactly what records are legally available under Michigan FOIA. We never ask for anything that would require redaction or incur fees.
We file on a schedule
FOIA requests go out monthly or quarterly depending on the agency and the type of data. Every request is logged on this site the day it is sent.
We track every deadline
The law gives agencies 5 business days. We count every one. If they request an extension, we log that too. If they miss it, the public knows.
We publish everything
When records come back, the data goes live on this site. Downloadable, searchable, and free. Nothing sits in a filing cabinet.
We enforce when they refuse
If an agency ignores or unlawfully denies a request, we pursue legal enforcement through Circuit Court, funded by the community it serves.
What we do not do
We are not here to harass. We are here to hold accountable.
We do not request personal information about individuals.
We do not request records that require redaction.
We do not target individual public employees.
We do not file requests designed to burden or disrupt.
We do not editorialize the data we publish.
We do not collect any personal data from visitors to this site.
Legal foundation
Everything we do is grounded in law.
The Michigan Freedom of Information Act (MCL 15.231 through 15.246) was enacted in 1976. It guarantees every person the right to inspect, copy, and receive public records from any state or local public body. It sets strict deadlines, limits fees, and provides legal remedies when agencies fail to comply. This site exists to exercise those rights on behalf of the people of Kalamazoo.
Get involved.
This project is only as strong as the community behind it. Whether you want to contribute, ask a question, report an issue, or just learn more, we want to hear from you.
Reach us at contact@kalamazootransparencyact.com