Voters in local elections across Michigan expressed support for road millages again during the March 10 primary election. Voters passed 95% of the millage renewals on the ballot and 70% of the new road millages proposed.
New millages
Regarding the 10 proposed new road millages in townships, the seven that passed had average voter approval of 65%. The three new millage proposals that didn’t pass were in Williamston Township (Ingham County), Grattan Township (Kent) and Denmark Township (Tuscola).
Renewal millages
Of the 21 road millages proposed for renewal, there were 18 township, one city and two countywide (Dickinson, Van Buren) questions on the ballot. All passed except for the millage proposed in Green Township (Alpena), which resulted in a tie. Excluding the tie, the renewals had an average 72% voter approval.
“Voters understand the need for local dollars to match state and federal funds for road and bridge projects, and want to move ahead by helping their local road agencies improve the quality of infrastructure and life in their communities,” said Denise Donohue, director of the County Road Association (CRA) of Michigan.