Should Kent County voters renew the road millage on August 4, 2026?
The Kent County Road Commission faces a $280M deferred maintenance backlog. A county-wide road millage renewal is expected on the November 2026 ballot. Residents pay in potholes and vehicle damage; the debate is whether the current funding model is adequate or whether a structural fix is needed.
What Is on Your August 4 Ballot
Kent County voters will be asked on August 4, 2026 to renew the existing road millage — a property tax that funds the Kent County Road Commission's operations, repair, and capital projects. This is a renewal of the current rate, not an increase.
The millage has funded road maintenance since 2018. Without renewal, the Road Commission loses its primary local funding source and would depend entirely on state gas tax revenue — which is constitutionally capped and distributed across all Michigan counties.
Source: Kent County Clerk — 2026 Ballot
What the Millage Funds
The Kent County Road Commission uses millage revenue to maintain the county's 1,800+ miles of county roads — not city streets (those are the city's responsibility) and not state highways (MDOT). For Cascade Township, this includes:
- Cascade Road SE (county road) — resurfacing, lane markings, signals
- Patterson Ave SE — portions are county-maintained
- Thornapple River Drive SE — county road through Ada and Cascade
- Spaulding Ave SE, Buttrick Ave SE — township-adjacent county roads
Typical millage-funded work: chip sealing (extends pavement life 5–7 years), pothole patching crews, culvert replacement, intersection improvements, and winter maintenance (plowing, salt).
What It Costs the Average Homeowner
The millage rate is 1.0 mill, or $1 per $1,000 of taxable value (not assessed value — taxable value is typically about half your home's market value in Michigan due to Proposal A caps).
| Home Market Value | Est. Taxable Value | Annual Cost |
|---|---|---|
| $300,000 | ~$150,000 | $150/yr |
| $450,000 | ~$225,000 | $225/yr |
| $600,000 | ~$300,000 | $300/yr |
The median home value in the 49546 ZIP code (Cascade Township) is approximately $450,000. Taxable values are lower due to Michigan's Proposal A cap — check your summer tax bill for your exact taxable value.
The Two Sides
- Roads don't fix themselves — without local funding, the Road Commission depends entirely on state revenue that is already insufficient statewide
- A renewal means no increase — this is the same rate voters have paid since 2018
- Deferring road maintenance is more expensive in the long run (chip sealing at $40K/mile vs. full reconstruction at $1M+/mile)
- Kent County's road quality ranks above the state average — this millage is part of why
- The Road Commission has faced criticism for project prioritization and accountability — some argue voters should withhold renewal until governance improves
- Property taxes in Kent County have increased significantly since 2020 — additional financial pressure on homeowners
- State road funding formulas should be reformed rather than relying on local millages to fill gaps
- Failure would force the Road Commission to prioritize spending, potentially resulting in more accountable use of limited resources
Prior Millage History
- 2018 — Road millage first approved by Kent County voters, 62% in favor
- 2022 — Renewal approved, 58% in favor (down 4 points from 2018)
- 2026 — Current renewal on August 4 primary ballot
The Road Commission has maintained a road quality score above the state average in each year since the millage was first approved. Year-over-year spending reports are published in the Road Commission's annual report.
How to Vote on August 4
- August 4, 2026 — Michigan primary election. The road millage renewal will appear on every Kent County voter's ballot.
- Check your registration at michigan.gov/vote — registration deadline is typically 15 days before election day.
- Find your polling place at michigan.gov/vote or the Kent County Clerk.
- Absentee ballot — Michigan allows no-reason absentee voting. Request through the Kent County Clerk or online at michigan.gov/vote.
Should Kent County voters renew the road millage on August 4, 2026?
Yes — roads need sustained funding and this is the mechanism
No — the Road Commission needs reform before getting more money
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