Muskegon County panel approves pay increase for road commissioners after brief debate

The Muskegon County Ways and Means Committee voted on Feb. 11 to increase annual pay for the county road commissioners and the commission chair, approving the measure by roll call, 6–1.

The committee approved raising the annual pay for road commissioners from $4,320 to $8,500 and the chair’s pay from $4,920 to $9,000 effective Jan. 1, 2025, and also granted a 3% salary adjustment for 2026, 2027 and 2028.

The measure drew discussion about comparability with neighboring counties and the timing of the change. Road Commission Director Halka said the road commission’s operating budget is “just a little bit less than $30,000,000,” putting the pay change in the context of the agency’s overall finances. Commissioner Hastings, who spoke in favor, said, “I think they respectively deserve it.” A proposal to amend the increase to a 25% bump this year was offered as a friendly amendment but was not accepted by the motion’s sponsor.

Committee members described the proposed raises as a long-delayed correction. Members noted prior reductions in road commissioner compensation and compared Muskegon’s rates to nearby counties during the discussion; several referenced publicly available figures from Newaygo and Ottawa counties as context.

The roll-call vote was recorded as six yeses and one no; the transcript records Commissioner Herman as the lone no vote. After the vote the committee chair declared the motion carried.

The committee discussion included questions about meeting frequency and workloads for road commissioners. Members said the commission attends monthly meetings, additional work sessions and several quarterly sectional meetings that can require significant travel and full-day commitments.

The committee did not attach additional conditions to the pay increase. Implementation details and payroll timing were not discussed in depth at the meeting.

The committee moved on to other agenda items after approving the pay adjustment.