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Calhoun County commissioners approve road contracts, federal bridge funding and $4.7M in claims
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Summary
The Calhoun County Board of Commissioners unanimously approved multiple Road Department contracts — including hot-mix asphalt pickup and environmental/materials testing agreements — a federal-aid contract for two bridge replacements with an estimated $300,000 county match, a privately funded road work agreement on 29 Mile Road, and $4,728,198.09 in claims payable.
Calhoun County commissioners voted unanimously on March 5 to approve a set of Road Department contract awards, accept federal funding for two bridge replacements and authorize a privately funded repair agreement for 29 Mile Road, and to approve $4,728,198.09 in claims payable.
The board approved RFP#102-26 for hot mix asphalt (HMA) pick-up contracts intended to supply patching materials that must meet Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) specifications; the bid recommends selecting two vendors to ensure supply and allow required materials testing. The motion to approve the HMA bid award (Res.031-2026) was moved by Comr. Matt Saxton and seconded by Comr. Al Morehart and passed on a 7–0 roll-call vote.
Commissioners also approved RFP#104-26 for on-demand environmental services and material testing for the 2026 construction season (Res.032-2026). County Administrator/Controller Kelli Scott said the recommended vendor, SME, was selected using a scoring matrix and must comply with MDOT standards. The motion carried 7–0.
The board authorized a federal-aid contract to replace two bridges (L Dr S and 25½ Mile Road) that county staff described as on the state'approved critical replacement list; Scott said the county's share is expected to be about 10–15 percent of the project cost, estimated at roughly $300,000 combined for both replacements (Res.033-2026). Kristine Parsons, Managing Director of the Road Department, said the state local bridge program approved the bridges for replacement in 2024. The vote was 7–0.
Separately, commissioners approved a road work agreement that lets Michigan Paving (operating as Stoneco) perform repairs on 29 Mile Road associated with increased truck traffic from its nearby asphalt plant. Scott said Stoneco will pay 100 percent of the improvement costs; Calhoun County will permit and inspect the work, and Homer Township will coordinate with the county (Res.034-2026). The motion passed unanimously.
During Citizens' Time, Marshall resident Barry Wayne Adams raised two items: opposition to a proposed data center near the Brooks Nature Center and a comment about a Michigan Court of Appeals decision involving the MAJOR campus. Adams' remarks were made during public comment and no board action on those topics was recorded.
At the close of the meeting the board approved claims payable totaling $4,728,198.09 for Feb. 12'25, 2026 (Res.035-2026). Comr. Gary Tompkins also noted March is Trisomy Awareness Month during Commissioners' Time. The meeting adjourned at 7:47 p.m.
Votes at a glance: Res.028-2026 (approve agenda) Moved: Comr. Al Morehart; Second: Comr. Matt Saxton; Outcome: Approved (voice vote). Res.029-2026 (approve Feb. 19, 2026 minutes) Moved: Comr. Gary Tompkins; Second: Comr. Dominic Oo; Outcome: Approved (voice vote). Res.030-2026 (Consent Agenda including Sheriff's Office FY2025 EMPG agreement) Moved: Comr. Dan Strowbridge; Second: Comr. Dominic Oo; Outcome: Approved (voice vote). Res.031-2026 (RFP#102-26 HMA bid award) Moved: Comr. Matt Saxton; Second: Comr. Al Morehart; Outcome: Approved (roll-call 7'0yes). Res.032-2026 (RFP#104-26 Environmental Services and Material Testing) Moved: Comr. Matt Saxton; Second: Comr. Dominic Oo; Outcome: Approved (roll-call 7'0yes). Res.033-2026 (Federal-aid contract: L Dr S & 25—2 Mile Road bridge replacements) Moved: Comr. Gary Tompkins; Second: Comr. Al Morehart; Outcome: Approved (roll-call 7'0yes). Res.034-2026 (Road work agreement for 29 Mile Road with Michigan Paving/Stoneco) Moved: Comr. Gary Tompkins; Second: Comr. Dominic Oo; Outcome: Approved (roll-call 7'0yes). Res.035-2026 (Claims payable $4,728,198.09) Moved: Comr. Al Morehart; Second: Comr. Matt Saxton; Outcome: Approved (roll-call 7'0yes).
The approvals advance multiple county road and construction-season contracts and secure federal funding for two bridge replacements; the board required that vendors and contractors comply with MDOT standards and that the county inspect work paid for by a private company. No votes were recorded on the public concerns raised regarding the proposed data center or the Court of Appeals item mentioned by a resident. The board is scheduled to consider Tier II Firekeepers grant applications at the May 7 meeting; applications are due April 17.