[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6104357,"mediaKeyId","2791171-de7b3141edd28184f2736b1f7c9f6c54","parentId",2791171,"title","Van Buren County road officials report frost-law restrictions, gravel work and federal funding uncertainty","audioSeconds",505,"startMs",5777000,"endMs",6282000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2791171-de7b3141edd28184f2736b1f7c9f6c54&start=5777&end=6282","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2791171-de7b3141edd28184f2736b1f7c9f6c54/thumbnail_5777000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6104357/Van-Buren-County/Michigan/Van-Buren-County-road-officials-report-frost-law-restrictions-gravel-work-and-federal-funding-uncertainty","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6104357-aa3def08fe2bd2cddc7e8899fdaae239/orig.mp4?Expires=1771176734&Signature=L5J-fVPZUD4T9D5S5iB5mCHIwBBB6SVV-bnMoWTB6RpYczTJqRzNc0lEkDpKIob5bV~NagYIqhHAlhbA3LgfKuJ79B6mY48791OZfiCxjkcNZlluTB2eU-LFtpFNghqmyMyK0nZzFYBhQxOTGykMXlf68FkxQfcLc2z8FKJ8jzhmkn0C6lWZhu1cPlLKMeNyIQFYi6mUAAnpCpkGGy5naa4uJUVjkWjHOet3JqEnr3njWR7UMN7f6eOnJVv3u6NQasKjGNsdVM0uAZiYNGyZPtPHiRLOwhu3sJvvXrKbjQNqmFso~wXncabrgkFlVvKM5D7t60wQ-8SOo~GPBKiIFw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Van Buren County, MI","date","2025-03-25T00:00:00Z","article","Van Buren County road department staff briefed the board on winter damage, seasonal weight restrictions and longer-term funding challenges for county roads.

Staff said frost penetrated local roadbeds three to four feet this winter, requiring seasonal weight limits to protect vulnerable pavements. The county imposed limited-speed/weight restrictions and allowed farm and utility haulers to apply for permits. Officials reported issuing about 241 overweight/permit approvals during the restriction period and collecting roughly $21,000 in permit fees; staff said those fees would cover a small fraction of repair costs.

County staff emphasized the continuing maintenance burden of gravel roads — the county manages more than 200 miles of gravel roads — and said graders were already deployed to address potholes and washboard conditions as thawing resumed. The presentation noted that about 60% of road damage occurs during the spring thaw as frost leaves the ground.

Officials also summarized broader funding prospects: the U.S. House and Senate had proposed markedly different federal road-investment plans; if a compromise emerges the county could see a substantial increase in stateallocated road funding. Staff described changes to federal urban-mileage allocations tied to rooftop counts rather than population, which resulted in a net loss of about 26 urban miles for the county and an ongoing 10-year impact on federal program eligibility and funding calculations.

Staff reported positive pension and OPEB funding positions for county employee retirement plans and noted ongoing work to pilot different gravel materials to improve longevity. The department said it is gearing up for a busy construction season with multiple bids and projects in progress.

Commissioners asked staff about the duration of weight restrictions and contract gravel strategies; staff said they would continue to monitor conditions and report back. The briefing was informational; no board vote was required.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","03/25/2025 Board Meetings","oneSentenceSummary","County road officials told commissioners that deep frost and spring thaw required seasonal weight restrictions, that crews are accelerating repairs to more than 200 miles of gravel roads, and that federal and state funding proposals could change available road dollars.","taxTitle","Van Buren County, Michigan","taxId",52299,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6104362,"Van Buren County veterans office reports cut to state grant; dental and relief programs face reductions",1701,3721000,5422000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2791171-de7b3141edd28184f2736b1f7c9f6c54&start=3721&end=5422","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2791171-de7b3141edd28184f2736b1f7c9f6c54/thumbnail_3721000.jpg","/articles/6104362/Van-Buren-County/Michigan/Van-Buren-County-veterans-office-reports-cut-to-state-grant-dental-and-relief-programs-face-reductions","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6104362-69118c8f2568c9ced5d60e9023a0d2b7/orig.mp4?Expires=1771176734&Signature=fTG7n~pxZ6i6ts7ZKeEIk-lM-wPju9g1bMw2km9o2cny5Zhx4oNKxAQTl2KS5z-nGjlIR-BJ7KFuKDPws~eKQRSvkFuSABDSg2wW84zSLT1AkLguTq8USzLtpJr4ll4815YYL7TIZpSqF~~nzyIkkDqIWgItZ8QG6PFuZd3NkR0MpldmaEVIR90E3nygdqp9TSh8wOrZQP3jW3GezJeP7Z4tbfXXDKj1boj0hHoiDJuH1i6oW1pcn0nlONUKkBtKhrP6mv~HdX6NMBZpNlddNeS5Zb9NHR9GKoBQD9J70kQ0NuSFcKyEhVCzM8UqO1-JDCD-NPJx~DOwO7X0vQpPGg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Van Buren County’s veterans services director briefed commissioners about a recent reduction in state grant funds that will affect program allocations for the current fiscal year.

Staff said the county’s share of a grant from the state veterans funding program (referred to in the meeting as an MBAA grant) was reduced by $27,528. The office has used fundraising and other local sources to absorb some program costs: staff reported raising roughly $22,000 last year for the emotional service animal (ESA) program and that the veterans millage can cover outreach and some advertising needs.

Program impacts spelled out during the briefing included a reduced relief budget (reported as a decrease from about $10,000 to $8,005.65) and the oral health (dental) assistance program that staff expects could exhaust its current funds as early as May or June unless further funding is allocated. Staff reported the dental program spent about $8,000 in February and has already served roughly 77 veterans this fiscal year.

The director said the office will not schedule new dental appointments while current funds last; appointments already scheduled at the time of the meeting would be honored. Staff recommended avoiding the use of millage money to backfill the dental program immediately and instead attempt to have the state agency (the Michigan Veterans Affairs Agency/MVAA) or MBAA restore or reallocate funds; staff also said they will consider internal reallocation later in the fiscal year if necessary.

Other items covered in the briefing: the office will issue its first ESA for the fiscal year that Friday through a partner that provides trained companion/service dogs; the office continues transportation support (reported as 14 rides in February) and is pursuing veteran housing collaborations with the City of Decatur. Staff asked commissioners to be ready with talking points for upcoming legislative outreach in Lansing.

Commissioners thanked veterans services staff for fundraising and for structuring programs so the county did not have to immediately cut positions or core services. The briefing did not include a formal board vote; staff framed the update as informational and asked for guidance on advocacy and possible internal budget adjustments.","Veterans services staff told commissioners that a state grant cut of $27,528 will reduce some program allocations and that the office expects its dental assistance line to be exhausted within months without additional funding.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6104367,"Van Buren County commissioners back Brownfield plan for Hazen Street housing project, set public hearing",2720,935000,3655000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2791171-de7b3141edd28184f2736b1f7c9f6c54&start=935&end=3655","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2791171-de7b3141edd28184f2736b1f7c9f6c54/thumbnail_935000.jpg","/articles/6104367/Van-Buren-County/Michigan/Van-Buren-County-commissioners-back-Brownfield-plan-for-Hazen-Street-housing-project-set-public-hearing","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6104367-ecbebf6391cb90c4d33b5407b567b0ee/orig.mp4?Expires=1771176734&Signature=ZLzoya8x-MHZu8WUJPipB-bR6iiwCGCA-9lgnrW47LBdzSc4lySHseERrsXs7QwROPaaHGB1iNlpEfARxCxpOojejok7513RGaodwtG-Hs13OtvQ2drvuud9s2b4rJJ2n0QLbM46Pf7wO~TApvkYGyY~2NQcd~Wrgdgoa2XBPJRON1Rmzn2SdJEwtEWQEgLY8ExVnSkKF0hohXusQRPRb-mOk~5UG2q1yudj9ifeBYb~09uVrw2I66heJRcgPD8XyDgwYRAnaiyR0PwctbePjY0IFBacnx4hM2G111PAjkrW09vmOGAEZpehrAuYAyd0Ir8-k3qLxROWK~aokoB91g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Van Buren County commissioners voted to forward a recommendation from the Brownfield Redevelopment Authority (BRA) approving a Brownfield Redevelopment Plan for a housing project on Hazen Street and set a public hearing on the plan for April 10 at 12:50 p.m.

The project developer plans a $30,300,000 development that includes 66 multifamily rental units and 52 single-family homes. Under the draft plan, local and state tax increment financing (TIF) captures would total about $9,900,000 (approximately $8.1 million local, $1.8 million state). County staff said, because of the project scale, the TIF payback period would likely be about 12 years though the state permits up to 30 years, and the BRA may capture additional local TIF for five extra years to generate roughly $3.2 million for county brownfield work.

County planning staff said the state revised brownfield law (Act 381) in fall 2023 to encourage housing: qualifying projects that reserve a share of units for households at specified percentages of area median income can now access housing-related TIF. Under the Hazen plan, 21% of the rental units — 14 of 66 units — would be income qualified at a designated AMI tier.

The BRA also asked the county to waive a 2016 BRA policy cap that limited developer financing interest to 3%, and instead allow a 4.5% maximum for this development. Staff explained that the change would not increase the developer’s total capped return (the plan retains a 20% investor return cap) but would allow the developer to be reimbursed a bit faster on the same capped total. That request drew questions about sequencing of reimbursements to the developer, the village and the BRA; staff said the order and amounts would be negotiated in a later development and reimbursement agreement.

Presentations also described right-of-way and infrastructure changes: the developer will construct water and sewer extensions and convey a portion of Hazen Drive to the Village of Paw Paw, which intends to accept the street and perform permanent improvements. The village council gave its unanimous support to the project at its meeting the night before, staff said.

The board approved placing the plan on the April 10 agenda for a formal public hearing and directed staff to send required 10-day notice to taxing units and other stakeholders. Staff said additional steps remain: the BRA must finalize the plan and the development and reimbursement agreement, and the plan will be submitted to the Michigan State Housing Development Authority (MSHDA) for review; staff noted MSHDA has approved only a small number of housing-TIF projects so far.

The county also heard public comment from a Hazen Street resident who said the developer’s current plan differs from an earlier plan that received planning commission review and urged the county to slow the process so neighbors and the county could review long-range impacts.

The board’s action forwards the BRA recommendation to the required public hearing and starts the formal notification and review sequence; it does not finalize the development agreement or TIF reimbursement order.","The county commission approved a recommendation from the Brownfield Redevelopment Authority to support a $30.3 million housing project on Hazen Street and set a public hearing for April 10. The plan would use Act 381 tax-increment financing and increase the allowable interest rate in the BRA policy from 3% to 4.5% for this project.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6104352,"Votes at a glance: Van Buren County commission actions and approvals",9540,875000,10415000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2791171-de7b3141edd28184f2736b1f7c9f6c54&start=875&end=10415","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2791171-de7b3141edd28184f2736b1f7c9f6c54/thumbnail_875000.jpg","/articles/6104352/Van-Buren-County/Michigan/Votes-at-a-glance-Van-Buren-County-commission-actions-and-approvals","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6104352-87bc386b286520a10829b4b859629c11/orig.mp4?Expires=1771176734&Signature=OsjvWaEnotC0Fdspf9dZO7lQanYJoANcb09yZQ~fd483gCFTjk4C9d9ePRZXnpTRYEGTIxvEusnuabjTtkxjgnoNtJEvkLrAQ2PonzbKNCErc~5m~tKQj4yDIKhq0mnaTGqGUksEeGCpFai62TfFZDJgxiTqOMtCiW5ZF81p2L5-AI2oRnx6Y2zjEdtYwdxscZpfy-idfCt-78IZMo4r88vIk6TyBoPGWqGa0f2K840oULzhfl06GQmFu~Ax3urTryCWgbNEC8EIMNxtRLtXZIS1g3xPBsezEgQrBzHSDIrsdgxSplMaL4rWC5uW3icapFqDh8b-NRJq5pHRQbKtUQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","This roundup lists formal motions and outcomes recorded during the Van Buren County Board of Commissioners meeting. Where detailed roll-call counts were not recorded in the transcript, outcomes are reported by the voice vote or motion result stated on the record.

Votes and formal actions

- Approve agenda: Motion approved (voice vote).

- Approve minutes from March 11: Motion approved (voice vote).

- Approve updated Van Buren County Planning Commission bylaws: Motion approved. Staff said bylaws were revised to align membership terms and duties with the planning enabling act and to adopt Robert's Rules for meetings.

- Reappoint planning commissioners Tom Montika and Will Pugsley: Motion approved; one vacancy remains (resignation of Salinda Gilmore noted).

- Approve out-of-state travel request for staff to visit provider facilities in Arizona (probation-related site visits): Motion approved; vendor will cover most expenses, county-approved mileage/meals per policy.

- Approve lease/sublease permission for fair association property (allow sublease for farming on county-leased land): Motion approved.

- Approve contract amendment/renewal with MGT Solutions (Friends of the Court services) increasing quarterly rate from $17.50 to $2,250 per quarter for specified services: Motion approved. Contract term noted as effective April 1, one year or until terminated.

- Accept Great Start Collaborative mini-grant ($4,550) for specialty courts programming (nutrition classes, car seat safety checks, family activities): Motion approved.

- Approve BRA recommendation for Hazen Street Brownfield Redevelopment Plan and forward to public hearing (see separate article): Motion approved; public hearing set for April 10 at 12:50 p.m.

- Reappoint Cherry Bennett to the Van Buren Public Transit Local Advisory Council for four years: Motion approved.

- Enter closed session under MCL 15.268(e) to consult with counsel regarding trial or settlement strategy in pending litigation: Motion and roll call approved; closed session convened.

Several other routine consent items were approved during the meeting; where indicated above, the motions were approved by voice vote as recorded in the meeting transcript.

The board scheduled the Hazen Street Brownfield public hearing for April 10. Individual items that will require follow-up (contracts, development and reimbursement agreements, grant adjustments) were noted by staff.","At the meeting commissioners approved the agenda and minutes, adopted updated planning commission bylaws, approved reappointments, authorized travel, accepted several contracts and grants, approved the BRA recommendation for the Hazen Street plan and set a public hearing, and recessed into a closed session.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Van Buren County road officials report frost-law restrictions, gravel work and federal funding uncertainty

Van Buren County veterans office reports cut to state grant; dental and relief programs face reductions

Van Buren County commissioners back Brownfield plan for Hazen Street housing project, set public hearing

Votes at a glance: Van Buren County commission actions and approvals