The Road Commission for Oakland County (RCOC) Board, on Sept. 25, approved the agency’s $193.4 million fiscal year 2026 budget.

The budget represents about a $15.7 million increase from the 2025 budget of $177.7 million. The 2026 budget increase is primarily due to increases in federal road funds, state road funding and local government contributions.  

The proposed budget is available to review on the RCOC website, www.rcocweb.org (click on the “Financials” button on the home page, select the “RCOC Budget Summary” item and click on “2025-26 As Adopted Budget”).

The federal funding level and the amount of contributions from local communities fluctuates from year to year depending on the type and number of road projects conducted. 

RCOC anticipates an increase in its largest source of revenue — state road funds generated by the state fuel taxes, vehicle-registration fees and income tax — for the coming year. The agency expects to receive about $132 million in state road funding in fiscal year 2026, up from the $122.3 million budgeted in 2025 and that has remained stagnant since 2022.    

The state dollars are RCOC’s main funding source for operations.  

RCOC anticipates receiving $28.3 million in federal funding in FY 2026 (compared to $28.2 million for the current year), $800,000 in interest revenue (no change from the current year) and $11.6 million in local government contributions (compared to $10.1 million for the current year).

            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 ($2.8 million, about the same as received for the current year). 

            The 2026 budget includes nearly $62 million in annual contributions toward safety-focused road-improvement projects planned to be under construction in 2026 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 2027 budget where projects were expected to be carried over from 2025 into 2026 or will be carried over from 2026 into 2027); $38.1 million for road maintenance efforts 

such as pothole patching, gravel road grading and salting and plowing in the winter; and $18.1 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 2026 budget is more than just numbers -- it’s a step toward better, safer roads,” noted RCOC Board Chair Eric McPherson. “We're not just maintaining what we have; we are building a future-ready road network that supports Oakland County’s growth and prosperity,” McPherson added. 

            RCOC Vice Chair James Esshaki concurred. “The proposed budget reflects a continued focus on fiscal accountability and transparency while supporting road and safety needs across the county.”

            Managing Director Dennis Kolar agreed. “Everything we do starts with safety,” he noted. “And this budget puts that commitment front and center.”

Editor’s note: The complete list of 2026 road projects included in the budget is attached.