Proposed Road Millage is in Response to Public's 'Desire' for Better Roads

With seven proposed road projects that are a “mix of everything” including paving, re-paving, widening, installing new signals and one "simple" roundabout the Genoa Township Board has approved a resolution to place a proposal for a township wide road millage on the November 5 ballot.  

The proposed road millage is in response to the 65 percent of survey respondents who said they supported additional taxes to improve and maintain roads and Genoa Township Manager Mike Archinal said the number showed a “desire” by residents for better roads in the community.

“I think the issue, from a safety stand point is here and they’ve been here for several years,” he said. “And they’re not going to get any better and clearly there are people who want us (Township) to do something.”

The projected population growth in Genoa Charter Township is expected to hit more than 20,000 residents by 2020 and the Township said the existing rural roadway system is "not sufficient to meet the transportation needs." 

“Generally, when daily trips hit a 1,000 it (road) should be paved and we have a number of dirt roads that far exceed that,” Archinal said. “And it’s not just wear and tear on personal vehicles or about convenience, it’s also emergency vehicle response, it’s our school buses, ambulances, fire trucks. So there is a secondary public cost to these roads not being in decent shape.”

The referendum is for a 15 year millage increase and if the proposal is approved, a home with a market value of $200,000 and a State Equalized Value of $100,000 would pay $150 per year.

A township map, available from the Genoa Township website, indicates where these improvements would take place and the proposed Road Improvement Master Plan includes project descriptions and cost estimates for the proposed work.

On September 30, Township officials will host a Road Millage Open House from 5 p.m. until 9 p.m. at the Genoa Township Hall and Archinal encourages residents to educate themselves about the project.

“Be informed, look at the plan, ask questions and vote one way or the other,” he said.