 How does the countywide road millage fit into the road funding equation?
The current county road millage led to the repair of 162 miles of county roads, using $45.5 million in millage funds to achieve $76.9 million in road improvements. This funding also leveraged state grants and other funding sources to maximize the return on investment for the county road system.
The proposed renewal, even at a reduced rate, would allow the OCRC to continue its focus on infrastructure, leveraging existing road funding dollars.
The estimated millage renewal rate is 0.4578 mills, a decrease from the current 0.4767 mills. If passed, the reduced millage is expected to raise approximately $7,142,000 in its first year.
The millage funds would be distributed to the Ottawa County Road Commission and the cities of Coopersville, Ferrysburg, Grand Haven, Holland, Hudsonville, Zeeland, and the Village of Spring Lake. This distribution supports a collaborative effort to maintain and improve roadways across the county.
To help get an idea of why the road millage is an important component of the road funding equation, here are some FAQs about Michigan road funding:
Q: Who is responsible for Michigan roads?
A: In Michigan, nearly all roads fall into one of three categories of jurisdiction:
- State highways: MI Dept. of Transportation (MDOT) – 8% of all roads in state (+41% bridges)
- County roads: County road agencies –75% (+52% bridges)
- City or village streets: Cities and villages – 17% (+7% bridges)
 Q: Where does the money come from to maintain Michigan’s roads and bridges?
A: The largest source is state dollars through the Michigan Transportation Fund (MTF) Act.
Second is township and millage contributions. Third is federal funding. Regarding state funding, the two largest sources are the state-collected gas tax and the vehicle registration fee (license plate).
In addition to the gas tax and vehicle registration fee, other state-collected revenues support Michigan roads, including the diesel carrier tax and diesel dealer license fee, income tax, some marijuana tax and other miscellaneous revenue.
Q: What about Michigan’s sales tax? Isn’t that applied to gas and diesel sales?
A: Yes, but none of that money goes to roads.
Q: How are state-collected road funds distributed?
A: Years ago, the State Legislature established a single “pot” for state-collected road funds known as the Michigan Transportation Fund (MTF) and then created a distribution formula that divides funds among the Michigan Department of Transportation (39%), county road agencies (39%), and cities and villages (22%).
Q: Even with this distribution formula, Michigan roads continue to deteriorate. What’s wrong?
A: The MTF is underfunded due to increased fuel efficiency of cars and lack of additional state-authorized increases to make up for this. County road agencies simply cannot keep up with the deteriorating road network and escalating costs. To reach county transportation improvement and maintenance goals, 2023 research found the MTF will need an increase of $4.8B annually.
Q: Michiganders pay an 18.4¢/gallon federal gas tax. Doesn’t that help pay for the roads?
A: Yes, for primary roads. But federal funds can only be spent on federal-aid eligible roads, which represent about one-third of all county roads in Michigan.
While federal funds coming to Michigan increased slightly due to the federal infrastructure package enacted by Congress and the President in 2021 (known as the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act or IIJA), the increase is minimal for most county road agencies.
Q: Tell me more about the taxes I pay at the pump. What is the total amount of taxes per gallon of gasoline in Michigan? And where does the money go?
A: There are three fuel taxes we pay at the pump totaling 69.4¢/gallon: the Michigan Gas Tax (30¢); Federal Gas Tax (18.4¢); and the Michigan Sales Tax (21¢).
(This assumes gas at $3.50/gallon.) Of that total, 42.5¢ goes directly to the roads.
 If you live on a public road, your property borders the public road right-of-way, which is intended for all county road, pedestrian facility and public utility purposes.
The Ottawa County Road Commission has the responsibility and authority to regulate all activities and work in the road right-of-way to assure safe and efficient use and operation of the road system.
What are the road right-of-way limits?
Standard road right-of-way is 66 feet wide on most county roads. There are some exceptions where the right-of-way is narrower or wider, or an additional easement was granted to the Road Commission.
Avoiding right-of-way hazards
The Road Commission appreciates the public’s cooperation in keeping the road right-of-way free of all potential hazards and clear for all county road, pedestrian facility, and utility construction and maintenance.
PA 368 of 1925 prohibits the placement of any object, except authorized mailboxes, within the county road right-of-way unless permitted by the Road Commission. If someone gets injured by an unauthorized object in the right-of-way, the property owner is liable.
The Right-of-Way and Safety
In many instances, property owners or contractors place fences, rocks, trees/shrubs, headwalls, retaining walls or other objects within the road right-of-way as a measure for improving the landscape.
These fixed objects can become safety hazards to motorists who leave the roadway, and can also be visual obstructions for motorists at intersections and driveways.
Clear & Efficient Right-of-Way Space
Items within the road right-of-way can be hindrances to road, pedestrian facility, and public utility improvements.
Unapproved objects within the road right-of-way make it challenging for work crews to perform roadside maintenance, and for utility companies to install, maintain, and replace their facilities located in the right-of-way
OCRC participates in local touch-a-truck events
With summer's arrival come the much-anticipated Touch-A-Truck events throughout the Ottawa County community.
In June, the OCRC featured a truck at the Loutit District Library in Grand Haven.
At these events, we distributed plastic hard hats and safety gear to children, who thoroughly enjoyed our truck and the gifts.
We extend our heartfelt thanks to mechanic Brent Fennema from the Grand Haven maintenance facility for his assistance in presenting the truck.
The Ottawa County Road Commission is grateful for the chance to display its equipment and to educate the community about its services.
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