Wayne County officials explain combined $3.4M Van Buren Township paving project; commissioners seek better notice

Commissioners questioned item 3 in the Public Services report concerning a Van Buren Township paving project. Adam Cohen, Assistant Division Director of Engineering, explained the county’s paving initiative includes multiple townships and two phases—phase 1 (maximum $1,000,000) and phase 2 (about $700,000). For the Van Buren project the county combined phase 1 and phase 2 for construction, producing a $3,400,000 construction estimate; the township must provide a 50% match and therefore will contribute $1,700,000 while Wayne County provides $1,700,000.

Several commissioners representing townships said they had not received direct notification of phase 2 approvals or intergovernmental agreements (IGAs) and asked administration to supply copies of submitted IGAs and a breakdown of remaining funds available for phase 2. Michelle Yancey (DPS admin) and Darcel Brown (Chief Assistant to the Executive) said the administration had circulated program information to commissioners and municipalities but agreed to provide a clear record of which communities were contacted, who responded, and what remains in the program budget at the next Public Services meeting.

Commissioners asked that administration directly notify the commissioner whose district contains an affected township and to provide the phase-by-phase spending summary in writing. The committee voted to approve the standard items and to send the single contested item back for committee review, and staff committed to produce the requested documentation.