UPDATE: The Ionia County Board of Commissioners has just approved significant revisions to road budget policies that will change how local and primary road construction projects are financed. This urgent update comes as the county grapples with skyrocketing bridge repair costs, demanding immediate action.
During a pivotal meeting on October 24, 2023, Road Department Managing Director Linda Pigue presented changes aimed at simplifying budgeting for the construction of 33 primary road bridges and 34 local road bridges. The new policies will fully fund upgrades to primary roads and bridges, shifting the financial burden away from local townships.
The revised “Policy 03” mandates that all upgrades to bridges on the primary road system will be financed completely by the county’s Road Department. This marks a significant shift from the previous requirement that local townships contribute 50% of the local match for funding, which many townships struggle to meet. Pigue emphasized, “The cost of replacing and repairing bridges is skyrocketing, and most townships won’t afford this.”
In a further attempt to alleviate financial pressure on local governments, Pigue also requested approval for a resolution to “grandfather in” any local bridge funding applications submitted before January 1, 2026. This resolution is designed to ensure that existing projects can proceed without the new budget constraints.
The revised “Policy 04” specifies that local townships will now bear all costs for improvements or preventative maintenance on local roads and bridges, including projects funded through state and federal programs. While this change aims to streamline budgeting, it raises concerns about the financial viability for smaller townships.
At the meeting, Commissioner Jack Shattuck expressed his skepticism about the necessity of these changes, stating, “The policy we had in place worked fine for a lot of years.” His concerns echo the sentiments of some commissioners who worry that this shift could create disparities among townships, leading to “winners and losers” in funding.
The financial implications are staggering. Pigue revealed that replacing all primary road bridges would cost approximately $3,722,920, while local road bridges would require about $14,731,250. With federal funding options available, local entities must still contribute to project costs, further complicating the financial landscape.
In response to these challenges, Commissioner Larry Tiejema proposed increasing the county’s road millage to address funding gaps. However, this idea garnered no immediate support during the meeting.
The board voted 5-2 in favor of the new policies, with Shattuck and Tiejema opposing the revisions. As Ionia County navigates these crucial changes, the impact on local governments and infrastructure could be profound.
Moving forward, stakeholders will be watching closely to see how these policy changes play out, particularly for townships struggling to meet new financial obligations. The urgency of improving road infrastructure remains a pressing concern for residents as costs continue to rise.
This urgent development in Ionia County highlights the need for creative solutions to address the complex financial landscape of road maintenance and construction. With the new policies in place, the focus now shifts to ensuring that essential infrastructure projects can proceed without overwhelming local governments.
