Highway commissioner expects RMA and GTA increases for 2026 budget; mechanıc position to be included

Highway Commissioner Matt told the committee that the recently signed state budget increased statewide Routine Maintenance Agreement (RMA) funding and general transportation aid (GTA), and the department expects some increase to Ashland County’s routine maintenance allocation. Matt said lawmakers added $30 million in RMA funding statewide; how much reaches Ashland County will depend on allocation formulas and the county’s six‑year spending average used to calculate GTA. He urged consistent annual spending on county paving projects to maintain a favorable six‑year average for aid calculations. The department is preparing the 2026 budget and expects to include the second mechanic position if executive and finance approvals are final. Matt said the capital budget work moved to the finance committee and the executive committee was scheduled to review related items the following week. Staff said increased RMA or GTA revenue could allow more mowing, brushing and maintenance work, but previous increases had sometimes been reallocated by DOT for other needs; this time the commissioner said language in the state budget appears to require counties to receive the funds. No final budget was adopted at the meeting; the county budget adoption schedule (late October) and administrative deadlines make the committee’s review schedule tight.