TRAVERSE CITY -- Grand Traverse County's board will take another run at changing the makeup and compensation of its three-member road commission.
A four-member block of county commissioners wants to expand the road board while cutting costs. They will try to lure a fifth commissioner to create a majority when they meet today at 5 p.m. in the Governmental Center.
Commissioners Christine Maxbauer, Ross Richardson, Beth Friend and Michael Stepka want to expand the road board from three members to five and strip them of pension and free health, vision, life and dental insurance benefits.
The part-time road commissioners' average benefit package costs county taxpayers about $11,500 per year, per commissioner. Road commissioners also receive an annual salary that averages $6,000, plus $35 for additional meetings.
"We pay an exorbitant amount for our three county road commissioners," Maxbauer said. "It's ludicrous. It's unreasonable. It's not public service."
Road commissioners in 2008 attended 19 board meetings that lasted a total of 12 hours and 40 minutes, according to board minutes.
Maxbauer said that averaged out to almost $1,400 an hour.
"That's not public service, that's self service," she said.
Road Commissioner Dave Taylor said he puts in more time than meeting minutes reflect, but he's willing to take a pay cut if the board expands from three to five members.
"Some people talked about taking the current wage and benefits and spreading it over five road commissioners, and I was totally in favor of that," Taylor said.
County Commissioners Dick Thomas, Addison Wheelock Jr. and Bruce Hooper last month voted against expanding the board and reducing benefits. Commissioners Larry Inman and Larry Fleis favor an expanded board, but don't want to cut benefits for current road commissioners.
Richardson and Maxbauer said they won't support any expansion that increases the road commission's financial burden on taxpayers.
Richardson also wants the board to consider electing road commissioners.
"I doubt I'll have enough votes to get it done, but we need to discuss it," Richardson said. "It's still about direct accountability to the public."
