Organization
Administration
The Board of County Road Commissioners, Managing Director, Finance Department, and Human Resources oversee the Road Commission functions of policy-making, budget, accounts receivable/payables, employment, bargaining units, workers compensation and safety, employee benefits, and public relations.
Road Commissioners
The Ottawa County Road Commission is governed by a five (5) member Board of Road Commissioners that is appointed by the Ottawa County Board of Commissioners for a six-year term each.
The Board meets every two weeks on Thursday, at 9:00 a.m. (unless otherwise noted in the schedule). The meetings are held in the Boardroom at the Road Commission’s administrative facility located at 14110 Lakeshore Drive, Grand Haven, Michigan 49417.
In addition, special meetings are held throughout the year to discuss specific topics. The Board of Road Commissioners is responsible for approval of the annual budget, acceptance of bids, authorization of expenditures, adoption of policies, approval of contracts and agreements, and other policy matters.
Managing Director
The Managing Director is the staff position responsible for the day to day operations of the entire Road Commission. The position is appointed by the Board of County Road Commissioners. The Road Commission responsibilities are divided into four departments of Finance, Engineering, Operations, and Public Utilities. Each department has a Director that works under the supervision of the Managing Director.
The function of Board Secretary is also the responsibility of the Managing Director, which includes all agendas, official minutes, and notification of all regular and special meetings.
Finance Department
The Finance Director oversees all financial support functions of the Road Commission. The responsibilities of the Finance Department include budgeting, accounting, purchasing, financing and financial reporting.
Human Resources
The Human Resource Administrator reports directly to the Managing Director. This position is responsible for all aspects of Human Resource administration including workers compensation, employee benefits and employee safety.
Communications Administrator
The Communications Administrator reports directly to the Managing Director. This position is responsible for all aspects of internal and external communications efforts at the Road Commission. Work includes handling media relations and inquiries, developing public awareness campaigns, handling the agency’s social media channels and communicating with residents about ongoing road projects and procedures.
Engineering
Road Department
The Road Department is responsible for the preparation of plans and specifications, construction engineering, and coordinating construction activities with other departments and agencies. These activities pertain to road resurfacing, road reconstruction, bridge replacement, bridge rehabilitation, bridge inspection and culvert replacements.
Special Services Department (Permits)
The Special Services Department is responsible for the review of all permits associated with work within the road right of way not performed by the Road Commission. Permits are reviewed for compliance with Road Commission standards and specifications. The review of permits involves communication with various entities including MDOT, the Ottawa County Water Resources Commission, township and other municipal offices, engineers, developers, business owners, residents, as well as other Road Commission staff.
Traffic & Safety Department
The Traffic Engineer works with staff, private and public agencies, and the general public to maintain a safe and efficient flow of traffic on county roads. The Traffic Engineer plans, organizes and directs all traffic engineering activity. Responsibilities of the Traffic Engineer include analyzing various traffic, speed and accident data, to insure proper use of traffic control devices such as signals, signs and pavement markings.
Operations
The Operations Department is responsible for the maintenance of roads, bridges, equipment, and all facilities of the Road Commission.
The Operations Superintendent coordinates with and manages the District Supervisors, who oversee the maintenance of roads performed by staff and contractors whose primary duties consist of snow and ice removal, grading, patching, various surface treatments, maintenance and replacement of culverts, roadside mowing, and storm cleanup. During the construction season, maintenance work is supplemented by work on construction projects for townships and on primary roads in order to maintain a balance of the workload.
The Equipment Supervisor oversees the maintenance and record keeping of all equipment, vehicles and facilities of the Road Commission.
The Road Commission is responsible for maintaining over 521 lane miles of state highways in Ottawa County under a contract with the Michigan Department of Transportation. Types of work performed include plowing snow, patching holes, mowing the roadside, cleaning ditches, sweeping, guardrail and cable barrier repair, and joint repair of concrete pavement. Also, the Road Commission manages contract for the operation of the bascule bridge on U.S. 31 in Grand Haven for the Michigan Department of Transportation, which is performed by a private contractor.
Public Utilities
The Public Utilities Department serves as the Public Works Agent for water and wastewater in Ottawa County, and provides public works services, to the County’s governmental units. These services include financial, administrative and operational assistance.
The financial assistance is primarily provided through the sale of County bonds. As part of the bonding process, a community’s utility rates and charges are reviewed. In addition, the department has been involved with many of the state and federal financial assistance programs (CDBG grants, FHA grants and loans, and SRF loans) and can assist a community through these funding options.
The administrative assistance includes utility contract administration, construction contract administration, and utility planning. The department is involved with many wholesale water and wastewater contracts, water and wastewater treatment plant construction contracts, water distribution and wastewater collection construction contracts, and feasibility and reliability studies.
The operational assistance is provided by licensed water and wastewater operators. These services include operation and maintenance of five water distribution systems, five wastewater collection systems, three wastewater treatment plants, and one groundwater treatment facility.