Public Act 283 (P.A.283) was passed in 1909 to provide communities local control over their roads and established Michigan’s county road commissions. P.A. 283 had two goals: (1) to create uniformity in road construction and maintenance and (2) provide cost-efficient and high-quality services for local roads. P.A. 283 outlines a process for county commissions to approve and levy a one-year road millage without a public vote. P.A. 283 guarantees that millage funds are used exclusively for the maintenance of roads, streets, bridges, and culverts in the county.

There is not enough money being generated to maintain the public road system in our county. Road funding in Michigan is based on vehicle registration, gas and diesel taxes. In November 2015, the Michigan Legislature approved a new $1.2 billion road funding package. However, the package does not provide any additional funding until 2017. Furthermore, the package phases in new funding in over the course of five years and WCRC will not get the full extent of funding until 2021. The 2015 & 2016 P.A. 283 millages allowed WCRC to continue improving roads while awaiting new state road funding.

Funds collected from the P.A. 283 millage must be used for roadways, culverts, and bridges. P.A. 283 requires that the Road Commission, cities, and villages develop a specific list of projects prior to approving the millage. WCRC used the 2015 millage revenue to complete 32 additional road projects in 2015, improving 75 miles of road. Many P.A. 283 projects were preventative chip seal projects which extend the lifespan of roads and help save taxpayer dollars.

The Washtenaw County Board of Commissioners approved a one-year, 0.5 mil property tax in 2015 and 2016. The millage taxed property owners $50 for every $100,000 in taxable value, with the average homeowner paying $35 per year for the one-year assessment.

P.A. 283 generated $7.2 million dollars county-wide. Cities and villages received $3 million (proportional to the amount raised within their borders) to use on their own roads. WCRC received $4 million to fund projects on township roads, located outside of city and village limits.

The P.A. 283 millage only provides funding for one year and requires that projects be completed the same year.

1. The Road Commission prepares a plan in coordination with cities and villages. This plan includes a list of potential projects that could be funded with a county-wide millage.
2. The Board of County Commissioners will vote on whether they will levy a millage. Under the law, counties can levy up to 1-mills for road funding. While voting, the County Commissioners will determine the millage rate.
3. If the millage is approved, the County Commission will levy the tax. Cities and villages get the full amount raised in their boarders for their projects. Funds that are raised outside cities and villages will be given to the County Road Commission for the county-wide projects.
4. The projects listed in the proposed plan will constructed the following calendar year.