UPDATE: In a crucial move for infrastructure funding, the Ionia County Board of Commissioners has just approved major revisions to road budget policies, affecting local and primary road projects. The vote took place on October 10, 2023, as Managing Director Linda Pigue urged the board to simplify funding processes for road construction and bridge repairs.
The revised policies, known as “Policy 03” and “Policy 04,” shift financial responsibilities significantly. Under the new rules, all upgrades to primary roads and bridges will be fully funded by the Road Department, alleviating local townships from their previous 50% financial burden. This change comes as Ionia County grapples with exorbitant repair costs—replacing all primary road bridges alone would cost an estimated $3,722,920, while local road bridges would require $14,731,250.
Linda Pigue highlighted the urgent need for these revisions, stating, “The cost of replacing and repairing bridges is skyrocketing, and I just don’t think most townships are going to be able to afford this.” In a move to further support local governments, the board also adopted a resolution to “grandfather in” bridge funding applications submitted before January 1, 2026.
However, not all commissioners were on board. Jack Shattuck voted against the revisions, expressing concerns about the financial implications for townships, saying, “Not all townships are the same, financially… there’s going to be winners and losers.” Despite his reservations, the board passed the policy changes with a 5-2 vote.
The meeting revealed the stark reality of funding challenges, as Pigue noted that federal grants often come with strict requirements. For example, a recent application to replace a bridge costing $1,452,000 required a local match, which would have previously forced Ronald Township to pay half. “When we took the agreement to Ronald Township, they said, ‘We have no money,’” Pigue recounted, underscoring the financial strain on local entities.
In addition to the policy changes, Commissioner Larry Tiejema suggested increasing the county’s road millage to better support local infrastructure. While there was no immediate response to this proposal, it highlights the ongoing discussions about sustainable funding for road and bridge improvements in Ionia County.
As the county navigates these changes, residents can expect a more streamlined process for road and bridge funding, but the implications for local townships remain a topic of concern. The urgent need for infrastructure investment continues to shape the conversation among county officials.
Stay tuned for further updates as Ionia County works to address its infrastructure challenges and the impact of these policy changes on local communities.
