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Road commission asks to put countywide local road millage renewal on August ballot; staff warn continued deficit for full lifecycle maintenance
Summary
Road Commission representatives presented a case for an August renewal of the county local road millage, showing improved pavement ratings since 2021 but warning of a roughly $1.0M annual funding shortfall to meet full 30‑year life‑cycle road maintenance needs; they recommended renewal rather than an increase to preserve voter support.
Representatives of the Roscommon County Road Commission presented maps, township allocations and a five‑year plan and asked the board to place a countywide local road millage renewal on the August ballot.
Presenters said the millage has substantially improved road conditions since it took effect, including more miles moving from poor/fair to good condition on the statewide PACER scale, and that the county tracks allocations so funds go back to the township where they are collected. They reported an estimated annual requirement of roughly $4.8M to achieve a 30‑year life‑cycle program across all local roads (paved and gravel) and an estimated revenue package that, including allocations and neighborhood road funds, amounts to roughly $3.0M — leaving an approximately $1.0M shortfall to reach ideal life‑cycle spending.
Road Commission staff recommended seeking a renewal (not an increase) because the first millage barely passed and local support is fragile. Commissioners asked about whether the millage money applies to gravel roads and routine maintenance; presenters confirmed millage funds cover projects on both paved and gravel local systems but routine maintenance (brining, plowing) is budgeted separately from the millage and from Michigan Transportation Funds.
Board staff said they will draft a resolution for the next meeting to place the renewal on the ballot if the board desires. Commissioners discussed outreach strategies — town‑by‑township meetings, senior‑center presentations and short informational videos — to explain the allocation formula and countywide benefits.
