UPDATE: Ionia County Commissioners have just approved crucial revisions to the Road Department’s budgeting policies, aiming to streamline funding for primary and local roads and bridges. The decision, made on October 17, 2023, is an urgent response to escalating repair costs that threaten local infrastructure.
Managing Director Linda Pigue presented the revisions, emphasizing their necessity in light of skyrocketing costs. “The existing policy has become a barrier for many townships,” Pigue stated. The revisions will entirely fund upgrades to primary road bridges and require local townships to bear all costs for local road improvements.
The Board voted 5-2 in favor of these revisions, with Commissioners Jack Shattuck and Larry Tiejema opposing the changes. Shattuck expressed concern that the new policies could disproportionately impact financially strained townships. “I’m just concerned that we’re making it so the townships have to pay 100% for the local roads and bridges,” he warned.
Pigue highlighted the staggering financial implications of bridge repairs: replacing all 33 primary road bridges would cost approximately $3,722,920, while all 34 local road bridges would total $14,731,250. “Many townships simply cannot afford their share,” Pigue added, stressing the urgency for change.
The approved policies include a resolution to “grandfather in” local bridge funding applications submitted before January 1, 2026. This will ensure that ongoing projects are not adversely affected by the new budget framework.
At the meeting, Commissioner Larry Tiejema proposed increasing the county’s road millage to finance these pressing infrastructure needs, but the idea received no immediate support from other commissioners.
The new policy, titled “Construction on Primary Roads and Bridges,” mandates that the Road Department fully funds all engineering, permitting, and construction costs for primary road bridges. In contrast, the “Construction on Local Roads and Bridges” policy places the financial burden solely on local townships, raising concerns about inequality among different municipalities.
This revision is critical as local governments face increasing challenges in securing funding for vital infrastructure projects. Pigue articulated the gravity of the situation, stating, “If we have a policy that we have to keep coming back to say, ‘We need a variance from it,’ maybe it’s time to acknowledge that policy doesn’t work anymore.”
The urgency of these changes is underscored by the fact that federal grants are available, but they require local entities to contribute a significant share. For instance, a recent application for a bridge replacement costing $1,452,000 necessitated a 5% local match—an amount that many townships struggle to meet.
As this situation develops, Ionia County residents and township officials will be closely watching how these policy changes will influence future road and bridge projects and their respective funding. The implications are dire, and the need for effective solutions has never been more pressing.
In addition to the road policy updates, the Board also addressed other matters, including the scheduling of their annual organizational meeting for January 13, 2026, and approved contracts for various maintenance services. However, the focus remains firmly on the newly revised road policies and their potential impact on the community.
Stay tuned for more updates as this situation evolves, and share your thoughts on how these changes may affect your township’s infrastructure needs.
