ABOUT US

The Road Commission for Ionia County maintains 1,069 miles of road and 78 bridges throughout the 576 square mile county. We also maintain 150 miles of state trunkline.

While the Road Commission establishes the improvement priorities for primary road system, Township government establishes the priorities and their level of funding for improvements on the local road system. Improvement projects such as paving , gravel resurfacing , culvert replacement and dust control , are known as "Heavy Maintenance". Without financial commitment from township boards and residents, most local roads would see very little improvement. This partnership helps provide better service to our joint constituencies and promote a higher quality of life.

The Michigan Transportation Fund (MTF) is the depository of fuel taxes and vehicle registration fees collected by the state and is the principal source of road commission funding. The collected funds are distributed by a complicated formula that provides for the receipts to be disbursed to the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT), 534 cities and villages, and the 83 county road commissions.
We saw a slight increase in our 2004 MTF revenue was up $270,174, or 5.8% more than 2003, mainly due to a one-time change in trailer licensing. 2005 revinues will decrease by 1.1% from 2004, without additional changes at the state level to increase fuel taxes or registration fees.

In November 1997 , the board made the decision to issue bonds in the amount of $1,730,000 to fund improvements for county primary roads. Approximately half of the future receipts from the 1997 gas tax increase amount will go to retire that debt. The remaining gas tax increase amount went toward an enhanced Local road matching program each year. Improvements were made on almost 23 miles of county Primary paved roads rated in poor condition.

The 2004 Local road matching program gave each township up to $6000 in matching funds for local road projects , as well as covered most internal charges for road commission work. The total cost of this program was approximately $275,201 for 2004 or an average of over $17,200 per township. We are looking forward to a busy and productive construction season.

We replaced all of our buildings that were destroyed in the 1996 Thanksgiving Day fire. We moved into our new 24,000 square foot vehicle storage garage on December 18, 1998 as the first snowflakes fell. Our new office was a little behind schedule, but we finally moved in on February 25, 1999. The contract cost for both buildings came under the architect's original estimate and the majority of cost were covered by insurance proceeds.

We recognize the value of our road commission employees. We greatly appreciate these hard-working and dedicated people who provide service to you and other county residents. The responsibilities we face are monumental, especially in view of our aging road and bridge system, but they are not insurmountable. We have worked resolutely to fulfill our mandate to provide safe and convenient roads.