Portage · issues
Civic issues
Topics getting the most attention in Portage public meetings, ranked by how frequently they come up.
Farmland loss to technology installations
The city is supposed to adopt an ordinance restricting data centers and battery energy storage facilities by December, but planners say the commercial rezoning map needs to come first — which may mean extending the current moratorium.
Debris-choked creek behind Ritters Frozen Custard
A resident who walks the creek with his kids says storm-fallen trees have slowed the stream to a stink on hot days and asked the city to clear the debris.
New water and sewer rates effective July 1, 2026
Councilmember Burns previewed a recommended blended water/sewer rate increase of about 7% — roughly $5.67 more per month for the average user — driven largely by Kalamazoo's water reclamation plant capital improvements.
Protection of parks and wetlands from future development
One resident urged the city to rezone parkland now so no future council could sell it for development, citing Sarasota-area overdevelopment; another cited wetland impacts and dying trees near existing developments.
Flood Response
Portage is pumping water out of a flooded bog near Woodbridge Hills. If you live around there, this is the city trying to get standing water down and reduce flood headaches.