TRAVERSE CITY — The Grand Traverse County Board of Commissioners expressed mixed reaction to legislation signed by Gov. Rick Snyder that will allow county boards to dissolve and take over duties of county road commissions in Michigan.
Snyder signed the legislation Tuesday.
Appointed county road commissions could be dissolved by a majority vote of a county's board of commissioners. Voters would have the final decision on whether to dissolve road commissions in counties where road commissioners are elected.
Supporters say the measures will save money by eliminating duplicative administrative costs.
Grand Traverse board Chairman Larry Inman and Vice Chairman Larry Fleis have both spoken against dissolving the road commission. They cited the road board's heavy workload and the downsizing of the county board from nine to seven members in 2012.
But some commissioners want it put on the board's agenda.
"I don't know if the county board will want to pursue it, but I think it's something we should take a look at," said Commissioner Ross Richardson. "We might be able to de-politicize the road board and save some money to boot."
Some critics say a vote of the people should be required in all counties because each road commission was created by such a vote, not just those with elected commissioners.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Latest News - Mobile
GT uncertain of road commission fate
Commissioner: I think it's something we should look at
-
-
Hoekstra says feds should check birth certificates
U.S. Senate candidate Pete Hoekstra wants to set up a national office to check presidential candidates' birth certificates, even though a campaign spokesman said Wednesday that Hoekstra believes President Barack Obama was born in Hawaii.
Continued ... -
U.P. fire is 55 percent contained
State officials say 115 structures, including homes and a motel, have been destroyed by a wildfire in the Upper Peninsula.
Continued ... -
Detroit chamber wants help for new campaign
The Detroit Regional Chamber is asking private companies to contribute $2 million a year for a new campaign to promote economic development in southeastern Michigan.
Continued ... -
Would-be robber stuck in ductwork
Police say a man got stuck in the ductwork while trying to rob a mid-Michigan supermarket over the weekend.
Continued ... -
Housing project 'moving forward'
Traverse City commissioners recently approved what officials expect to be the last change in long-running negotiations to sell city property near the former railroad depot off Eighth Street to two affordable housing agencies.
Continued ... -
Septic tank tax appears inevitable
A $30 to $40 yearly tax assessment on properties with septic tanks in Grand Traverse County and Leelanau's Elmwood Township appears inevitable.
Continued ... -
DEQ seeks public input on Brown Bridge Dam removal
The state Department of Environmental Quality seeks public comment on Traverse City's request for a permit to remove Brown Bridge Dam and restore three miles of Boardman River channel.
Continued ... -
Man charged in Crystal Lake incident
A downstate man who attempted to evade authorities by jumping into Crystal Lake spent his Memorial Day weekend in jail.
Continued ... -
Traverse City to expand TC Saves energy program
The city is expanding a program designed to help residents save on their energy bills.
Continued ... -
Elk Lake boat launch closed for repairs
The Elk Lake boat launch located three miles south of Kewadin is temporarily closed for repairs.
Continued ... -
Suspect arrested in parking meter thefts
Police arrested a man they said stole parking meters in Traverse City.
Continued ... -
TC Central, West on another 'best' list
Two Traverse City high schools made another national list of the best in the country.
Continued ... -
Traverse City man faces theft charge
A Traverse City man faces a criminal charge after police believe he stole cash and other items from a friend's parents.
Continued ... - Tuesday, May 29, 2012
-
Memorial Day: Traverse City honors heroes
A Memorial Day ceremony included a recitation of the Gettysburg Address, a rifle salute, the playing of "Taps" and a speech from Grand Traverse County Board of Commissioners Chairman Larry Inman.
Continued ... - Monday, May 28, 2012
-
City to discontinue spring cleanup
City crews will stop collecting residents' clutter each spring.
Continued ... -
Terry Wooten: WWII soldier's story told in poems
Jack Miller, a survivor of the Bataan Death March and a POW during World War II, won't be in any Memorial Day parades today.
Continued ... -
Clearing the Record: 05/28/2012
Due to an editor's error, an incorrect photo was used with city Commissioner Michael Gillman's column on the Traverse City Fire Department on Page 5B in Sunday's paper.
Continued ... -
Remembering the fallen veterans
Below is a list of military veterans from the region who died during the past year (May 28, 2011, through May 25, 2012).
Continued ... -
Memorial Day events
A roundup of Memorial Day-related events in northern Michigan:
Continued ... - Sunday, May 27, 2012
-
Rain helps control wildfires
Rain lent a hand Sunday to the 230 crew members battling a wildfire in the eastern part of Michigan’s sparsely populated Upper Peninsula.
Continued ... - Thunderstorms drench the area
-
DNR reminds anglers about bait restrictions
Michigan officials are reminding anglers that bait restrictions apply in some waters as a way to slow the spread of a viral fish disease.
Continued ... -
Travel season begins
Tourism analysts at Michigan State University project a 3 percent increase in Michigan travel volume this year.
Continued ... -
Restored cemetery to be honored on Memorial Day
The "Old Ones" buried in the once-overgrown and abandoned Onominese Indian Cemetery near Northport will be honored in a Memorial Day service and traditional re-dedication ceremony.
Continued ... - 2012 Memorial Day weekend event listing
-
Police: Seattle Cafe Gunman May Have Shot Self
Fans Riot at Justin Bieber Concert
Cows crash house party
Kim K.'s New Gig as Love Guru
Syria Massacre: US Student Killed
Oprah's Aha! Moment with NPH & David Burtka
Billionaire Zuckerberg no tipping waiters
White House Regrets Death Camps 'Misstatement'
Leaked Video of Madonna Performing Lady Gaga Sparks Feud Rumors
Victim Identified in Fla. Face-chewing Attack
DWTS Pros Caught Kissing
Father Arrested for Chasing Son Onto Soccer Field During Game
Ill. lawmaker goes on tirade over pension bill
Raw video: Man falls from SMU crane after standoff
Jessica Simpson Debuts Baby
An OMFG 'ABDC' LMFAO Performance
Tori Bares Baby Bump in Monokini
Video reignites mystery around cruise ship death
Letterman on Family Life Post-Scandal
Al-Qaida Hid Messages in Porn
