 A renewal of the Countywide Road Millage will be on the August 6, 2024, primary election ballot.
Here are some FAQs we've put together to help you learn more about what's on the ballot and how the renewal would affect you:
Q: What is the Ottawa County road millage?
A: The Ottawa County road millage is a property tax levied to fund road improvements and maintenance within the county. The millage was initially approved by Ottawa County voters in 2014 for 10 years (2015-2024).
Q: What is the official ballot language?
A: "Shall the current countywide road millage rate, as approved by the voters in 2014, be renewed at a reduced rate for a period of ten (10) years beginning in the 2025 calendar year and ending December 31, 2034, as provided for by Section 6 of Article IX of the Michigan Constitution of 1963, for the sole purpose of funding the reconstruction, resurfacing, and preventative maintenance of public roads and streets within Ottawa County?
The current countywide road millage rate is 0.4767 mills. Based on Headlee rollbacks, the estimated reduced millage rate in 2025 will be 0.4578 mill (approximately Forty-Six Cents ($0.46) of each One Thousand ($1,000) Dollars of Taxable Value) assessed against taxable property within the County of Ottawa, Michigan. If approved and levied in its entirety in the first year of authorization, this millage will raise an estimated $7,142,000. In accordance with State law, the countywide road millage will be disbursed to the Ottawa County Road Commission, the Cities of Coopersville, Ferrysburg, Grand Haven, Holland, Hudsonville, and Zeeland, and the Village of Spring Lake."
Funds for each local township project will be distributed to the Ottawa County Road Commission, and 100 percent of the millage funds collected within a specific township will be used exclusively in that township.
Q: What does the millage renewal involve?
A: The renewal involves continuing the road millage for another 10 years (2025-2034) at an adjusted rate of .4578 mills, which is approximately $0.46 per thousand dollars of taxable valuation.
Q: How much will the renewed millage cost property owners?
A: The renewed millage rate is estimated to be approximately $0.46 per thousand dollars of taxable valuation. For example, if a property has a taxable value of $100,000, the annual cost would be about $46.
Q: Why isn't current state funding enough to fund road improvements?
A: State road funding has not kept pace with the increasing costs of road construction and maintenance due to inflation and rising material costs. Additionally, fuel-efficient vehicles consume less fuel, which reduces revenue from fuel taxes—a primary source of state road funding. Improving Michigan’s roads will take a variety of funding sources including federal, state and local money to improve road conditions.
Q: Where will the millage funds be spent?
A: 100 percent of the millage funds collected within a specific township or city will be used exclusively in that township or city. That means funds will stay in the community they're collected in, funding local projects directly in those communities.
Q: What types of local road projects will the millage funds support?
A: Funds will be used to improve higher traffic volume roads that balance mobility and land access. This includes addressing pavement condition, capacity and congestion issues, crash history, and maintenance problems.
Q: How are local road projects selected for funding?
A: Projects are selected based on several factors, including:
- Pavement condition
- Capacity and congestion issues
- Crash history
- Maintenance problems
- Availability of other funding sources
Q: Is public input considered in the project selection process?
A: Yes, public involvement and input are a vital part of the project selection process for selecting high traffic volume roads for maintenance. Community feedback helps determine priority and ensures that the selected projects meet the needs of residents.
Learning More
Interested in learning more about the proposed renewal and how the Road Commission has utilized funds from the 2014-24 road millage? Visit: Countywide Road Millage | Ottawa County Road Commission (Michigan) (ottawacorc.com).
The Ottawa County Road Commission will start its 2024 seal coat (chip seal) program this month.
This year's program is budgeted at $2,285,490 using Michigan Transportation Fund dollars, and will be focused on nearly 62 miles of streets in Crockery, Polkton, Spring Lake and Wright townships.
The 2024 program is tentatively scheduled to begin on June 10 and run through July. All dates and schedules are weather dependent and subject to change.
Check our web and social media pages for schedule updates.
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 Click the image above to view a video about the chip seal process.
What is chip seal?
A chip seal is an application of a binder in the form of an asphalt emulsion or hot spray and an application of an aggregate.
Chip seals protect, preserve and extend pavement life, resulting in a pavement that is better to drive on, look at, and will cost less to maintain in the long run. A chip seal will not increase the strength of existing pavement. However, it will prolong the life of the pavement by providing a protective coating.
Chip sealing is a three-stage process. After the surface has been prepared by patching areas that are cracked or loose, a thin layer of emulsion or tack oil is applied.
Then, a layer of aggregate is applied by a truck with a chip spreader.
The third and final operation is several passes from a roller to compact the aggregate.
The road is usually opened to traffic after sweeping or may be opened to slow-moving traffic immediately.
The OCRC typically returns several weeks later to perform the second stage in the chip seal process: applying a fog seal atop the newly chip sealed road.
A complete list of roads to be treated can be found here.
Additional Resources:
Chip Seal Process Flyer
Chip Seal Educational Video
 OCRC crews work to cut trees on Lakeshore Dr. in Grand Haven Township.
Many people in Ottawa County and across the state enjoy Michigan’s picturesque roadways, often enhanced with trees and other vegetation.
Trees also serve important environmental purposes, such as improving air quality and preventing soil erosion. Mature, hardy trees are an essential feature lining county roads.
For this reason, the Road Commission preserves trees and other vegetation along the road right-of-way as much as possible so that everyone can enjoy their benefits.
Sometimes, vegetation in the road right-of-way must be removed or trimmed for the safety of people using the roads.
It is always the Road Commission’s first objective to preserve trees in the road right-of-way. The Road Commission uses several criteria to determine when to trim or remove vegetation in the road right-of-way.
The potential hazard of a tree or other vegetation in the road right-of-way will be assessed by the Road Commission, such as its proximity to utilities, buildings, and other structures.
Trees that are weakened, dying, or at a high risk of being struck are the more likely to receive action. The potential for immediate danger to road users may place vegetation and trees on a higher priority to be removed.
The Road Commission does not remove trees that present no hazard to drivers. There are usually plenty of dead or dangerous trees in the road right-of-way that require Road Commission attention.
The Road Commission also does regular maintenance mowing along primary, secondary, and unpaved roads. If motorists using the roads see vegetation blocking the line of sight at an intersection, they are encouraged to contact the Road Commission.
It is always the Road Commission’s goal to preserve roadside trees and vegetation, for their value in roadway beautification and for their environmental benefits. It is also the Road Commission’s primary goal to provide safe and drivable roads, and sometimes that requires the trimming or removal of roadside vegetation.
The Ottawa County Road Commission works hard to balance tree and vegetation preservation while also providing clear and safe roads for everyone.
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It was recently announced that OCRC Project Engineer Brandt Homik will be the new Ottawa County Road Engineer, replacing Jack Klein when he retires at the end of 2024.
Brandt has been with the OCRC since 2013, and also spent time in the past as a summer intern from 2007-2010.
Homik is proud to be the third generation in his family to build a career and life’s work at the Ottawa County Road Commission.
Brandt looks forward to leading the Engineering team and using their talents and expertise to contribute to the overall success of OCRC.
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