This fund is managed by the Department of Public Works. The Curbside Recycling Fund accounts for the revenue and expenditures associated with the operation of the Curbside Recycling Program. This program, provided through a contract with a private vendor, is funded through a voter approved 0.5 mill maximum tax levy and includes payment for single stream curbside recycling provided by Best Way Disposal and funding for the Household Hazardous Waste Disposal program.

The Leaf Pickup and Spring Cleanup Fund is managed by the Department of Public Works. This fund accounts for the costs associated with the Fall Leaf Pickup, Leaf/Branch Removal/Management, Spring Cleanup and Quarterly Brush Pickup programs.

The city strives to improve the housing stock and increase access to decent, affordable housing through assistance programs supported by the Community Development Block Grant Program (CDBG) funded by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, and other funding sources. The Community Development Department administers annual CDBG funds, which are federal grants that support programs and services for low and moderate income families in the city, and are guided by needs assessments and a five-year plan developed by the city. The CDBG program provides housing rehabilitation loans and emergency repair grants to income-eligible homeowners; and first-time homebuyer assistance programs to income-eligible households within select Portage neighborhoods. The Community Development Department received CDBG-CV grants from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) totaling $367,515 in FY 2020-2021 intended to prevent, prepare for, and respond to the coronavirus. This allocated was authorized by the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act), Public Law 116-136, which was signed into law on March 27, 2020.

Budget Overview: The CDBG Fund budget is highlighted by continued funding of improvement of the housing stock through housing rehabilitation loans, down payment assistance loans, funding of the Portage Community Center (PCC) for human/public service needs, neighborhood improvement, fair housing activities and administration. The 2022-2023 entitlement amount is $218,925 and the 2021-2022 entitlement amount was $221,456.

The CDBG Program Income Fund is comprised of the repayment of housing assistance loans originally made through CDBG programs and the subsequent reallocation of these monies for CDBG eligible activities. Activities included in 2022-2023 are: housing rehabilitation projects and down payment assistance loans.

Budget Overview: The CDBG Program Income Fund 2022-2023 budget is expected to result in no change in fund balance.

The CDBG Program Income Fund was instituted to make monies available under the same criteria as those adopted for the Community Development Block Grant program. As loans made by the CDBG housing programs are repaid, the funds will become available to this program. The plan for 2022-2023 designates $125,000 for housing rehabilitation/emergency repairs and $10,000 for down-payment assistance.

This fund accounts for the receipt and allocation of cable television permit holder fees and administration of the city cable television ordinance. It provides for the operation of public access broadcasting, administration of small cell wireless facilities licensing, Metropolitan Extension Telecommunication Rights-of-Way permitting and Uniform Video Services Local Franchising. This fund also supports Technology Services Department personnel and Public Information marketing and communication initiatives. The responsibilities of the various activities are Cable Access Programs: City Government Programming, Event & Council/Board meeting coverage, video development and released public relations activities.

This fund accounts for the costs associated with the lake management program at West Lake. This is a multi-year program funded primarily by special assessments to the lakeside residences. Expenditures vary from year to year based on guidance from consultants as to the required treatment that will improve lake quality with the least environmental impact.

The Brownfield Redevelopment Authority Fund is a tax increment financing authority (TIFA) that captures revenues from taxable value increases following redevelopment of blighted or polluted sites. Residual captured revenues can be used to help promote redevelopment of other sites determined to have brownfield attributes. The funds can be used to support or reimburse improvements made before or after the redevelopment.

The Brownfield Redevelopment Authority Fund has not been used since 2009, but with new interest in reclaiming parcels deemed to have brownfield status, financial advantages will be realized for the City by bringing those activities in-house as opposed to relying on and sharing revenues with the Kalamazoo County Brownfield Authority. The captured taxes are passed in part to developers based on a redevelopment plan, with the city retaining administration fees and a portion of remaining captured taxes.

The Cemetery Permanent Fund accounts for revenue from the sale of cemetery lots. The principal received from such sales must be maintained intact and interest earnings are transferred to the General Fund to help finance the ongoing care of cemeteries.