Wayne County accepts state grant for survey monument maintenance; not to exceed about $193,117

Wayne County commissioners approved a one‑year grant agreement with the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA) to fund the 2025 survey and remonumentation program that maintains original public and survey corners and other property‑controlling monuments.

Harry Kaladrakis, chief deputy registered deeds, told commissioners the work fulfills a statutory obligation requiring counties in Michigan to maintain and, where necessary, replace survey monuments used by professional surveyors to locate parcel boundaries. "By statute, we need to keep those in good repair, easily, located for professionals to use," Kaladrakis said.

Kaladrakis described the work as a shift from an earlier remonumentation phase—when monuments were located and replaced as needed—to a maintenance phase focused on confirming that previously documented monuments remain accessible and accurate. He said grant amounts typically decline when a county moves into maintenance.

Staff said the grant is a not‑to‑exceed amount of approximately $193,117 and that the county is reimbursed as it incurs expenses for field professionals and a peer review group of surveyors who confirm reports submitted by contractors. Kaladrakis cited common causes for monument relocation or replacement, including road construction and changes in water boundaries that can leave markers underwater.

Commissioner Wilson moved approval; Commissioner Kinesick seconded. The motion carried; no roll‑call tally was read into the record.