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Local News

Barry County Road Commission annual report presented to County Commissioners

Brad Lamberg, managing director of the Barry County Road Commission, gave his annual report to Barry County Commissioners June 14.

Overall, 2015 was a successful year for the commission, with routine maintenance, preservation and construction projects completed successfully, he said.

“In spite of increasing demands, inclement weather and funding shortages, the Barry County Road Commission believes it has provided one of the best county road systems in Michigan,” Lamberg said. "Keeping good roads good is something we have to do. It’s cost effective and pays off a lot in the future."

 

He credited dedicated employees and the ongoing financial support of townships as key to the success of the BCRC, and pledges to maintain a strong working relationship with township officials. “We’re proud of the situation we have with townships and residents."

Lamberg outlined 2015 revenues, $7,523,701, and expenditures, $7,378,898, along with lists of where the funds came from and where the money was spent.

 

In January 2017, the state gas tax will increase from 19 cents to 26.3 cents a gallon  and diesel from 15 cents a gallon to 26.3, and registration fees will go up by 20 percent. It will be March, 2017 before any increase in funding “trickles down” to the road commission. It’s the first gas price hike in 20 years, he said.

 

In 2019, the legislature is supposed to phase in another $600 million annually from the general fund, eventually raising another $1.2 billon a year for roads by 2012, he said, however, he was cautious about the figures for 2012, saying, “things can change.” //

“The gap between what needs to be done and what can be done continues to grow and in now approximately $10 million,” he said.

 

In other business Tuesday, commissioners approved:

* the purchase of new mobile radios for Barry County Sheriff’s Office vehicles for $81,616.04 to low bidder Chrouch Communications, Inc. Barry County Undersheriff Matt Houchlei recommended Chrouch for the contract for 22 APX6500 Motorola mobile radios, accessories and activation fees.

The new radios will replace worn out equipment in primary patrol cars, new vehicles, and cars used in marine patrol, animal control and a detective. The funding for the new radios will come from the diverted felon fund.

 

* a memorandum of understanding between the State of Michigan Department of Veterans Affairs and Barry County to share use of the VetraSpec data system software with the Barry County United Way Veterans Service Office which will expedite filing and follow-ups for veteran’s claims.

 

* approved changing the county zoning map in Section 35 of Castleton Township from Agricultural (A) to Rural Residential (RR) and also to rezone A-2-16 from Low Density Residential (LDR) to Rural Residential (RR) in Section 32 in Irving Township.

 

* approved the grant application of the state Office of Community Corrections, requested by OCC Administrator Dawn Karfonta.

 

* approved the summer tax levy of 5.4176 presented by Equalization Director Tim Vandermark. Copies will be sent to all townships and City of Hastings and a copy is sent to the state in September.

 

 

 

 

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