Ionia County Revises Road Policies, Urgent Changes Approved

UPDATE: Ionia County officials have just announced urgent revisions to road department policies that will drastically change funding for local and primary road projects. The Ionia County Board of Commissioners voted 5-2 on Tuesday to simplify budgeting for road and bridge construction, a decision that could impact numerous local municipalities.

The revisions, led by Road Department Managing Director Linda Pigue, aim to address the skyrocketing costs of bridge repairs and constructions. Currently, Ionia County has 33 primary road bridges and 34 local road bridges, with an estimated total replacement cost of $3,722,920 for primary bridges and $14,731,250 for local bridges. The board’s decision comes amid concerns that many townships lack the financial resources to meet their share of funding.

Pigue emphasized that the new policies will fully fund all upgrades to roads and bridges on the primary road system. She stated, “If we have a policy that we have to keep coming back and saying, ‘We need a variance from it,’ maybe it’s time to acknowledge that policy doesn’t work anymore.” The revised “Policy 03” now mandates that the Road Department bears all costs for primary road projects, while local townships will be responsible for improvements on local roads under “Policy 04.”

In a critical move, the board also approved a resolution to “grandfather in” any local bridge funding applications submitted before January 1, 2026. This will provide some relief to townships struggling to meet funding obligations, especially as Pigue noted that federal grants require local matches that may be unmanageable for many.

Commissioner Jack Shattuck, who voted against the revisions, expressed skepticism about the need for such changes, stating, “The policy we had in place worked fine for a lot of years.” However, Pigue countered, highlighting the increasing financial burden on local governments.

The urgency of these revisions is underscored by the county’s ongoing struggle to fund necessary repairs. Pigue referred to a recent situation where a bridge replacement project, estimated at $1,452,000, required a local match of $72,600, which Ronald Township was unable to pay. “We have other townships that are going to be in a very similar situation,” she warned.

In addition to the policy changes, Commissioners discussed potential funding solutions, including increasing the county’s road millage. Commissioner Larry Tiejema suggested this approach to help manage the financial strain on local townships.

As the county navigates these changes, the implications for each township will vary. While some may benefit from additional funding flexibility, others may face increased financial burdens. The board’s decision reflects ongoing challenges in maintaining infrastructure amid rising costs.

For residents and local officials, the impact of these new policies will be felt immediately. As Ionia County gears up for the future of road and bridge funding, officials urge all stakeholders to remain engaged and informed about upcoming changes.

Stay tuned for updates on how these revisions will affect your community’s infrastructure projects and funding opportunities.