The Ionia County Board of Commissioners voted on October 3, 2023, to revise policies governing the budgeting of primary and local road construction projects as well as bridge maintenance. The changes, proposed by Road Department Managing Director Linda Pigue, aim to simplify financial processes associated with these essential infrastructural projects.
During the meeting, Pigue outlined the benefits of the updates, stating that they would facilitate budgeting for construction projects on primary and local roads and bridges. A significant aspect of the revisions is a resolution that “grandfathers in” local bridge funding applications submitted before January 1, 2026. This adjustment aims to provide more flexibility for local townships seeking funding for critical infrastructure improvements.
The existing policy required townships to contribute 50% to local matches for bridge projects, a requirement that has been in place since 2007. Pigue explained that under the revised “Policy 03,” titled “Construction on Primary Roads and Bridges,” the Road Department will fully fund upgrades to the primary road system. This includes all engineering, permitting, and right-of-way expenses for bridge preservation, rehabilitation, and replacement projects, even those financed with state and federal funds.
Conversely, the revised “Policy 04,” titled “Construction on Local Roads and Bridges,” mandates that local townships bear the full cost of improvements and preventative maintenance for local roads and bridges. This change has sparked debate among commissioners regarding the financial implications for different townships.
Commissioner Jack Shattuck expressed his opposition to the revisions, arguing that the existing policy had been effective for many years. He raised concerns about the potential financial burden on townships, noting that their economic situations vary significantly. “It’s helped some, and it’s going to hurt some,” he stated.
In contrast, Pigue emphasized the urgency of the policy changes, citing the skyrocketing costs of bridge repairs and replacements. She provided specific figures, indicating that replacing all 33 primary road bridges would cost approximately $3,722,920, while replacing 34 local road bridges would require around $14,731,250. These figures underscore the necessity for a more adaptable funding approach, especially as federal grants require local contributions.
Pigue shared a recent example where the cost of replacing a bridge escalated from an estimated $1,452,000 to $232,329 due to additional expenses not covered by federal funds. This increase posed significant challenges for local townships, particularly for Ronald Township, which expressed financial constraints in meeting its share of the costs.
At the meeting, Commissioner Larry Tiejema proposed increasing the county’s road millage to help finance improvements to both local and primary roads. Though this suggestion did not elicit immediate feedback, it reflects a growing concern among commissioners regarding funding mechanisms for road projects.
Despite the dissenting opinions, the board ultimately approved the revised policies with a vote of 5-2. Shattuck and Tiejema were the only commissioners who voted against the changes, highlighting the ongoing debate surrounding the financial responsibilities of local governments in infrastructure development.
In addition to the road policy revisions, the Ionia County Board of Commissioners conducted further business during the meeting. They voted unanimously to set the date for their annual organizational meeting to take place at 15:00 on January 13, 2026, and approved several contracts for road maintenance services.
The decisions made by the board indicate a significant shift in how Ionia County will approach road and bridge funding, reflecting the need for updated policies to address the evolving challenges of infrastructure maintenance and development.
