KALAMAZOO, MI (WKZO AM/FM) – There won’t be an effort to dismantle the Kalamazoo County Road Commission.
Kalamazoo County Board of Commissioners member Jen Strebs sparked the debate, asking that road commissioners either be elected, or the department be absorbed into the county administration to make them more responsive to the public.
There have been complaints about setting speed limits, about signage on bike paths and other issues that she felt were not being addressed. She says a study might show it would even save money.
But when it came to a vote at Wednesday’s Board of Commissioners meeting, her request to hire a consultant to evaluate the options lost 6-3.
A meeting with the Road Commission last week did result in plans to hold quarterly meetings between the two boards, and Road Board Vice Chair Dave Pawloski says from now on a member of their board will be at county board meetings, in case there are questions.
The Road Commission and most township supervisors had also expressed their opposition to any changes. Most of the funding the Road Commission receives comes from the state gas tax, with some also coming from the townships. None of it comes from the county government.
reporting from John McNeill
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