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Eaton County lays out $28.2 million six‑year capital plan, flags security and drain costs
Summary
County staff presented a draft six‑year Capital Improvement Program that groups $16.2 million in facilities needs and $12 million in technology needs, and warned that deferred maintenance, drain costs and an aging building inventory will push expenses higher without new funding.
Eaton County staff told the Ways & Means Committee Tuesday that the county’s draft Capital Improvement Program (CIP) shows roughly $28.2 million in needs over the next six years, a package made up of about $16.2 million for county facilities and $12 million for technology infrastructure.
The presentation, given to commissioners during a special Ways & Means meeting, emphasized two themes throughout: the county has deferred routine maintenance for years and a number of large, non‑discretionary costs—most notably drain maintenance and security upgrades—are compressing the general fund.
“The average age of our buildings is 37 years,” Chad Powers, facilities director, said. “Every component has a lifespan and, when you defer it, the cost just balloons.” Powers told commissioners that the courthouse alone dates to 1976 and that past staffing reductions left facilities short of institutional knowledge needed for proactive upkeep.
Ben (staff member) and Powers walked through a building‑by‑building inventory in the CIP packet. The plan separates ongoing maintenance (funded historically from the Public Improvement Fund) from capital…
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