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Chippewa County road commission approves payroll, authorizes traffic control order; staff warn road funds likely delayed
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Summary
At its Oct. 23 meeting the Chippewa County Road Commissioners approved payroll and vouchers, authorized a traffic control order and signatures on the Prairie Road title sheet, and heard staff estimates that the commission’s 2026 match obligation could be about $1.6 million while state road funds likely won’t arrive until early 2026.
The Chippewa County Road Commissioners on Oct. 23 approved payroll of $179,936.17 and vouchers of $175,478.61, authorized a traffic control order, and authorized signatures on the Prairie Road title sheet, the board said.
The actions were taken by voice motions. Commissioner Moser moved to accept the agenda and to approve payroll and minutes; Commissioner Sprague seconded those motions and each was recorded as "MOTION CARRIED." The meeting record indicates motions to authorize Engineer Boileau to sign a traffic control order and to allow Manager Laitinen, Engineer Boileau and the board to sign the Prairie Road title sheet were also approved by motion (movers and seconders recorded; exact vote tallies were not specified).
Engineer Boileau reported that the local road package is out to bid and that the commission has obligations for Prairie Road and the H-40 Bridge preventative maintenance. "Estimate CCRC 2026 match obligation to about $1.6M with total project workload estimated at $8M," Engineer Boileau stated in the staff report. That figure was presented as an estimate for planning; the commission did not adopt a change in funding policy at the meeting.
Fleet Manager Donajkowski told the board that the lead time for new trucks remains lengthy: a new truck is estimated to take about two years before it is road-ready. He added the commission expects to receive the first two of eight trucks purchased earlier in 2025 by Christmas and that staff are exploring options to reduce lead time.
Manager Laitinen said he attended meetings in Lansing, including with the CRA Board and the Wetland Board, and that the logistics for collecting and distributing Michigan's new road funds remain unresolved. He said an informational webinar with the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) is set for November and that road commissions likely will not receive funds until early 2026. Laitinen also reported the Wetland Board is shifting attention to acquiring bank land in the western Upper Peninsula and that staff are hiring temporary winter employees (four for Eckerman and one for the Sault).
No members of the public offered comment. Chairman Jeremy Gagnon closed the meeting at 8:32 a.m., wishing those present to "stay safe."