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Calhoun County approves record $6M in local roadwork, awards roadside mowing contract
Summary
The Calhoun County Board of Commissioners approved more than $6 million in local road projects for 2026 and unanimously awarded a two-year roadside mowing contract to Jablonski & Sons at $64 per mile, a roughly 18% reduction from prior costs.
Christine Parsons, managing director of the Calhoun County Road Department, told the board on Feb. 19 that the county will exceed $6,000,000 in local road work this year, a record level of participation driven in part by new state road funding. "We are exceeding $6,000,000 in local road work this year," Parsons said, noting 12 townships submitted projects and some work is a carryover from prior years.
Administrator/Controller Kelly Scott presented a bid-award recommendation for roadside mowing (RFP 100 / 3206). Scott said the county received four bids and recommended awarding a two-year contract to Jablonski & Sons of Allegan County, the low bidder at $64 per mile and an approximate 18% decrease from what the county paid previously. "They came in at $64 per mile," Scott said, adding the county will use contractors for early- and late-season mowing and in-house crews for interim work.
Board members asked why other bidders were higher; Scott and Parsons pointed to travel time, scheduling, equipment condition and last-minute requests in prior years as likely factors driving variance in pricing. Parsons identified townships that did not submit projects this cycle as Homer, Penfield and Tikancia and said the road department has been in conversations to encourage future submissions.
The board approved the roadside mowing contract by unanimous vote. The road department said it will hold its annual meeting with township supervisors in advance of the construction season to outline primary and federal-aid projects and to coordinate participation.
Parsons and county staff said some new state funding has different match requirements, and the department is working to maximize funds that require no local match while managing those that do. The board did not amend the scope of projects at the meeting.
Next steps: the county will finalize contract paperwork with the winning bidder and proceed with the planned mowing schedule and 2026 road projects.
