Road Commission to Host Public Meeting on 2025 Budget, Including Big Projects
(RCOC, Aug 20, 2024)
Beverly Hills, MI — The Road Commission for Oakland County (RCOC) will present its proposed Fiscal Year 2025 budget at a public hearing Monday, Aug. 26, at 9:30 a.m. at the RCOC administrative offices, 31001 Lahser Road in Beverly Hills (at the corner of 13 Mile Road and Lahser Road).
The public is invited to attend the hearing and offer input on the proposed budget. RCOC’s fiscal year runs from Oct. 1 to Sept. 30. Adoption of the budget is expected to take place at the regular RCOC Board meeting on Sept. 19.
The proposed budget, at $177.7 million, represents about a $16.2 million decrease from the current year’s budget of $193.9 million adopted in September of last year. The 2025 proposed budget decreased primarily due to decreases in federal road funds, interest earned on investments and contributions from local governments.
Both the federal funding level and the number and size of contributions from local governments fluctuate from year to year depending on the type and number of road projects conducted. The interest revenue fluctuates based on the amount of money held by the agency at any time and the interest rates available.
RCOC anticipates receiving $28.2 million in federal funding in FY 2025 (compared to $42.3 million for the current year), $800,000 in interest revenue (compared to $1.9 million for the current year) and $10.1 million in local government contributions (compared to $10.8 million for the current year).
RCOC anticipates no increase for the coming year in its largest source of revenue – state road funds generated by the state fuel taxes, vehicle registration fees and the state income tax. The agency expects to receive about $122.3 million in state road funding in fiscal year 2025, the same amount it budgeted for the last two years and less than it received in 2022.
The state dollars are RCOC’s main funding source for operations.
The remaining revenue making up the budget comes from RCOC’s contract with the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) to maintain state highways in the county ($14 million, up slightly from the current year) and fees and other revenues ($2.7 million, about the same as received for the current year).
The proposed 2025 budget includes nearly $56 million in annual contributions toward safety-focused road-improvement projects planned to be under construction in 2025 and future years (this is not the total cost for these projects — some costs were included in the current year’s budget or will be included in the 2026 budget where projects are expected to be carried over into 2026); $30.2 million for road maintenance efforts such as pothole patching, gravel road grading and salting and plowing in the winter; and $16.5 million for maintaining traffic signs, signals, pavement markings and guardrails among other activities.
The remainder of the budget is dedicated to operating expenses including customer services, vehicle maintenance, staff wages, buildings and grounds and administration.
“The 2025 budget reflects our commitment to not only maintaining but enhancing the quality of our roadways,” noted RCOC Board Chair Andrea LaLonde. “We’re investing in infrastructure that will support economic growth and improve safety for all residents,” LaLonde added.
RCOC Vice Chair Eric McPherson concurred. “Our proposed budget is designed to address the immediate needs of our roadways while also preparing for future challenges,” McPherson said. “It’s about balancing short-term improvements with long-term vision, while ensuring that we operate in a fiscally responsible manner.”
Board Member Nancy Quarles added the Board is very deliberate in how it spends the money it receives. “Investing in our roads is an investment in our community’s future,” she explained. “The 2025 budget demonstrates our commitment to providing high-quality infrastructure that will benefit generations to come,” she said.
Managing Director Dennis Kolar agreed. “Safety is always our top priority,” he said. “And this budget reflects that.”
During the public hearing, RCOC Deputy Managing Director/County Highway Engineer Gary Piotrowicz will provide an overview of the proposed 2025 Road Improvement Program (RIP) which includes next year’s road-construction projects. Among the planned projects are:
- Major resurfacing of Greenfield Road, 12 Mile to 13 Mile in Southfield, Berkley and Royal Oak
- Major resurfacing of Orchard Lake Road, Will-O-Way to Long Lake in West Bloomfield Twp.
- Replacement of the Martindale bridge over the Novi-Lyon Drain in Lyon Twp.
- Resurfacing of Oakwood Road, Hadley Road to M-24 in Oxford and Brandon townships
A complete list of projects expected to be constructed in 2025 is attached. Projects are typically selected based on a review of safety data; a detailed, computerized road-assessment program; and engineers’ analysis. The decisions are often made years before construction begins because of funding requirements.
“RCOC continues to improve the safety and condition of our roads throughout Oakland County,” Managing Director Kolar said. “We know that many roads still need improvement and appreciate the patience of our citizens and businesses as we continue to work through a long needs list with the available funding.”
The proposed budget is posted on the RCOC Website, www.rcocweb.org (click on the “Financials” button on the home page, select “Budget Summary” and click on “Proposed 2024-25 Budget”).
