Van Buren County Road Millage

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roadsvb444

Officials with the Van Buren County Road Commission are spending a big part of this summer trying to educate the public about the need for additional road funding in the hope of getting a new millage approved in August. Road Commission Engineer-Manager Larry Hummel tells WSJM News they’re seeking an additional three mills for 12 years.

“The levy, at least according to the treasurer’s office, is going to be about $10.4 million, and out of that $10.4 million, about $2.1 or $2.2 million would get distributed to the cities and villages off the top by statute,” Hummel said.

The rest would go to the county road commission. Hummel says getting that money would enable the commission to get the majority of primary roads in the county in good condition. Right now, about 67% of them are in poor condition. He says road funding from the state dropped to grossly inadequate levels from about 2004 to 2014. How about the road package approved by the legislature in 2015?

“That bill they passed was probably, quite honestly, about a third of what truly is necessary if we even think about trying to attack the problem that’s out there,” Hummel said.

Hummel says the three mills being sought in August would be unique to Van Buren County, but would only amount to about $15 per month for the average property owner. You can learn more about the county road millage proposal right here.