Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Funding And Labor topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Manager warns of 20% MTF cuts this winter; union talks underway
Summary
Manager Laitinen told the board the Road Commission will see a 20% reduction in Michigan Transportation Fund payments in December, January and February and that corporate income tax road funding likely will not arrive until third quarter 2026; union negotiations have started.
Manager Laitinen told the Board of Chippewa County Road Commissioners at its Dec. 18 meeting that the commission will face short‑term funding reductions.
"We will see a 20% reduction in MTF payments in December, January, and February," Manager Laitinen said, and added that corporate income tax likely will not be reflected in road funding until the third quarter of 2026. He also reported progress in negotiations with the Michigan Department of Transportation on contract matters and said the commission had started union negotiations that week.
Office Manager Bobbie Livermore noted the payroll the board approved included more than 1,600 hours of overtime and that major expenses for the pay period included long‑term debt payments and insurance. "There was more than 1,600 hours of overtime included in payroll and that major expenses for the period included long term debt payments and insurance," Livermore said.
Fleet Manager Donajkowski described operational responses: a weekend mechanic schedule providing a minimum of four hours of coverage on Saturdays and Sundays, work on parts‑room transition and chief mechanic role changes, and review of Peterbilt truck specifications before final manufacturer approval and upfitting bid requests.
The manager’s warnings are likely to affect near‑term budgeting and scheduling; no specific countermeasures or cuts were adopted at the meeting.
