Washtenaw County Road Commission reports 36 miles improved in 2024, outlines $5.2M of 2025 millage projects

The Washtenaw County Road Commission told the Board of Commissioners at a March 5 working session that last year’s millage supported about 36 miles of road work at roughly $5,000,000 and that 2025 projects now planned total roughly 56 miles and $5,200,000.

The commission’s presenter, Matt McDonald, and staff described a four‑year millage strategy that returns most millage revenue to the township where it was raised, uses an asset‑management approach to select treatments (mill‑and‑resurface, reconstruction, chip/fog seal and limestone overlays), and sets aside 20% for non‑motorized projects administered by the Washtenaw County Parks & Recreation Commission (WCPARC). McDonald said the half‑mill countywide levy generates about $4,900,000 for the road commission portion, with a total program figure of about $10,900,000 when city and non‑motorized shares are included.

Why it matters: the commission said preventive maintenance — for example placing a seal coat over new asphalt within a year or two — extends pavement life and is less costly than major reconstruction later. Commissioners repeatedly framed the millage as an accountability issue: money raised in a township should be invested back there and the county should be able to track work and costs.

Commissioners and road commission staff walked through maps and a handout listing the 2024 and 2025 projects by township, district and treatment type. McDonald said 2024 highlights included Parker Road (border township primary resurfacing), a limestone overlay on Joy Road (Whitmore Lake/Northfield Township) and Sharon Hollow Road resurfacing (Manchester/Sharon townships).

On 2025 projects McDonald said the program will use a mix of treatments to extend service life; he described the selection process as using asset management principles and noted inflation and constrained budgets require combining millage dollars with road commission funds (Michigan Transportation Fund and others) to deliver the planned list.

Several commissioners asked operational questions about specific projects, traffic safety features and public engagement. Brent Schlak, the road commission’s director of engineering, described roundabouts as one tool among many: they reduce conflict points and often lower crash severity, but are not appropriate at every site. Adam Lape, director of operations, and other commission members described scheduling work to avoid school travel periods and requiring public engagement for major projects.

Two recurring policy issues drew extended discussion: signs crediting the millage and the reporting and memorandum‑of‑understanding (MOU) process for municipalities that receive millage proceeds. McDonald said the road commission supplies project signage and that municipalities are responsible for installing the signs; signs for 2025 projects will typically appear in May and remain through the following construction season. Commissioners asked administration and road commission staff to ensure taxpayers receive visible notice of projects funded by the millage.

On reporting, Commissioner Robbie and others pressed administration about whether municipalities must sign MOUs or otherwise follow the county’s reporting schedule. County staff and the administrator told commissioners the board adopted a resolution last year requiring planning and reporting, but that receipt of millage dollars was not legally conditioned on a signed MOU; administration said it has distributed MOU templates and is working to get them returned. Commissioners expressed concern that municipalities could receive funds without providing the board the written planning and spending reports the board intended when it approved the renewal. County administration said it will communicate expectations to the jurisdictions and return with a fuller update at a future meeting.

Ending: Road commission staff left commissioners with printed maps and an annual report insert that itemizes last year’s millage work and said they will provide reimbursement documents once municipalities submit completed projects. Road commission leaders and the board agreed to follow up on the municipal reporting question and on specific project timing questions for school‑adjacent work.