Introduction & Meetings

In 1986 the Otsego County Road Commission distributed a booklet to the public in a attempt to address some of the many questions about what we are all about and how we operate.  Since it has been several years since then and our personnel as well as the public have changed, we are able to provide this service with a website.  These short articles should help answer your questions, make you more aware of what we do and hopefully to help you feel better about your Road Commission.  Granted, we are a level of government, but we are local.  We make it our business to be responsive to your concerns and do aim to better serve everyone.

Some of the procedures I will be writing about are State law and some are Road Commission policy.  There are 83 counties in Michigan, and they operate independently to some extent, so these policies may not apply to all Counties.

All of our employees and office staff are very willing to help you with any problems or concerns you may have; however, the Otsego County Road Commissioners make major decisions.  These three people are elected for six-year terms and are staggered so one comes up for election every two years.  The nine County Commissioners have control over the Road Commission only for their salary.  Their current salary is $250 per month with the Chairman making $500.  The current Board consists of Jack Deming - Chairman, Bill Holewinski - Vice Chairman and  Roberta Tholl - Member. 

The Board meets twice a month, on the 6th and the 21st.  If these days fall on a weekend or holiday, the meeting is held on the next regular work day.  Special meetings are held as required at other times.  The meetings are open to the public, but if you want to talk to the Board you should call for a time so we can put you on the agenda.

The Road Commission currently has thirty employees, twenty-two hourly and eight salaried.  Of the twenty-two hourly, three are mechanics, four work on State Highways, one is the janitor, three are heavy equipment and eleven work on County Roads.  The hourly people are represented by the AFL-CIO.  The drivers work from 6:00 A.M. to 2:30 P.M. Most of the winter we have 24 hour coverage by splitting the shifts.  All employees have one half hour for lunch and a ten minute break in the morning.