If passed, county road millage will generate $4.8M (From the 6-25 Lapeer County Press)

[William Gavette]

LAPEER COUNTY — In an article headlined “Without millage county’s roads will go from bad to worse,” on Page 1C in The County Press’ June 22 edition, the amount of money raised annually by the propose road millage was incorrect.

Rick Pearson, managing director of the Lapeer County Road Commission, said, if the 1.85-mill tax is approved by voters in November, it will raise $4.8 million annually based on 2013 property values.

Out of that amount, he said, the road commission will get $2.88 million annually, the county’s 18 townships will split $1.07 million and the county’s villages and cities will share in $854,000.

Pearson noted that the amount of money raised by the proposed millage would be enough to bring the county’s primary roads up to good/excellent condition, “if time stood still.” He said it’s important to remember that while the road commission is constantly working to repair and preserve roads, time and use constantly conspire to wear them out.

Pearson said “We have 30 bridges with (weight) restrictions and four closed” to vehicle traffic.

He said the road commission expects to ask the Lapeer County Commission July 3 to put the millage question on the Nov. 4 ballot.

If the commission approves the millage question, Pearson said he and County Highway Engineer Ryan Doyle will develop a priority list for road projects.