Ionia County officials have approved significant updates to the budgeting policies for road and bridge construction, aiming to streamline funding processes. During a meeting on Tuesday, the Ionia County Board of Commissioners voted to revise two key policies, impacting how local and primary roads and bridges are financed.
Linda Pigue, Managing Director of the Ionia County Road Department, presented the revisions to the board. The changes are designed to simplify the budgeting process for construction projects while ensuring local townships can meet financial obligations. Pigue emphasized the urgency for these updates, citing the rising costs associated with road and bridge repairs.
One notable aspect of the revisions includes a resolution to “grandfather in” any local bridge funding applications submitted before January 1, 2026. This provision aims to protect ongoing projects from the new funding requirements.
The revised policy, known as “Policy 03,” states that all upgrades to roads and bridges on the primary road system will now be fully funded by the Road Department. This marks a departure from the previous expectation that townships would cover half of the local match for primary road bridge projects. Pigue described how the existing policy mandated that townships pay 50% of various costs, including preliminary engineering and construction engineering for primary road bridges.
In contrast, the revisions to “Policy 04” clarify that local townships will continue to bear the full cost of improvements and preventative maintenance for local roads and bridges. This includes projects funded through state and federal programs, which now encompass all related expenses such as engineering, permitting, and right-of-way costs.
At the meeting, Commissioner Jack Shattuck expressed skepticism regarding the necessity of the policy changes, arguing that the existing system had functioned effectively for many years. He voiced concerns that the new approach would disproportionately burden financially weaker townships, creating disparities in funding capabilities.
Pigue countered Shattuck’s objections by highlighting the escalating costs of bridge repairs and replacements. She noted that replacing all 33 primary road bridges would amount to approximately $3,722,920, while the cost for all 34 local road bridges would be around $14,731,250. Federal grants are available, but they require local contributions, which can strain township budgets.
For instance, a bridge replacement project estimated at $1,452,000 would necessitate a local match of $72,600, half of which would traditionally fall on the township. Pigue recounted a recent instance where Ronald Township indicated it could not afford its share, highlighting the financial strain many municipalities face.
Despite the objections, the Board ultimately voted 5-2 in favor of the revised policies and the grandfathering resolution. Commissioners Shattuck and Larry Tiejema opposed the changes, with Tiejema suggesting a potential increase in the county road millage to support road and bridge improvements.
In addition to the road policy updates, the Ionia County Board addressed several other matters during the meeting. They set the date for their annual organizational meeting, approved a sleet sand contract with Top Grade Aggregate, and renewed contracts for chip seal and fog seal services with Fahrner Asphalt Sealers, LLC. The board also discussed maintenance payments for technical systems and considered contract renewals for diesel fuel.
The updated road budgeting policies reflect a proactive approach by the Ionia County Board to address pressing infrastructure needs while navigating the complexities of local funding.
