Townships will now have to pay half of their match program road project's cost up front before work begins because of a change in the Mackinac County Road Commission's policy made Tuesday, June 22. The change will free up road commission funds that have been tied up by the match programs, said Vice Chair Tom Doty, and the new policy will also make the match program agreements more consistent. Many, but not all township projects, are currently paying up front and this brings the policy in line with current practice.

The commission also approved several Newton Township road agreements and selected a real estate agent to sell its Cedarville garage.

The match program provides up to $10,000 each from the Road Commission and Mackinac County to pay for capital improvement road projects the commission can perform. Townships and cities in the county match the amount with $10,000 of their own money. Capital improvement projects include brushing and clearing, shoulder gravel, road gravel, sand and gravel lift, ditching, and crack sealing.

According to the new policy, 50% of the cost is due before the start of the project. Townships are also only responsible for their share. Previously, they also paid the county's share of the match program project and then billed the county for reimbursement.

Gravel crushing for stockpiling was also removed from the policy, as for the last year the Road Commission has built in gravel crushing costs into the price of the project. In the past, the Road Commission maintained a separate inventory of gravel for the townships, Manager Dirk Heckman said.

Agent Selected to Sell Cedarville Garage

Failing to attract bidders for the sale of the Cedarville garage on their own, commissioners selected Coldwell Banker of Cedarville to list the property. The commission agreed to a minimum listing of one year and a 6% commission. Other agents were considered, but they asked for 7% and 8% commissions.

The Cedarville garage has been used for storage since the construction of the St. Ignace garage. It has been appraised for $85,000.

Two Newton Township Road Projects Approved

Commission approved two Newton Township match projects to begin in July. Portions of Leveille Road and North Gould City Road will be re-graveled for a distance of about 2,880 feet. The project cost is $22,270, of which the commission, county, and township will each pay $7,423.

Brotherton Road will be improved through sand sub-base, gravel surfacing, clearing, and ditching for 650 feet. The total cost of the match project is $17,000, $2,577 of which the commission and county will each pay. The township will pay the remaining $11,846.