The Road Commission of Kalamazoo County approved a pilot tree replacement policy despite commissioners’ concerns about its potential cost.
Under the policy, approved as an 18-month trial at the August 11, 2026 meeting, the Road Commission will pay up to 50% of the cost to replace a removed tree on a one-for-one basis — or two-for-one on projects using federal reconstruction grants. Replacement trees must be native species planted near the road. The commission previously had a similar program decades ago, dating back to the 1980s, but discontinued it due to low resident participation. Renewed interest follows months of sustained public comment from residents concerned about tree removals tied to road projects.
The board’s discussion, which stretched across multiple points in the meeting, centered on cost. Vice Chair Larry Stehouwer raised the sharpest concerns, estimating that if participation runs high, the program could cost roughly $1.5 million a year — on top of the roughly $2 million the commission already spends annually removing trees. “I don’t think we have a comprehensive enough look at this,” Stehouwer said, floating alternative funding ideas including a countywide millage, a wetland-style tree “banking” system, or capping the program at a set dollar figure, suggesting $50,000 as a possible starting point. Commissioner Toni Kennedy also hesitated to support the policy as written. “I just am not comfortable moving forward with something that is incomplete,” she said, while noting she felt a responsibility to weigh residents’ sustained input on the issue.
Commissioners Andy Davis and Randy Thompson argued for approving the policy now rather than delaying further. Both pointed to language in the draft tying annual spending to “available revenue,” meaning the board isn’t committing to any fixed dollar amount up front, and can adjust or end the program after the trial period. They also noted a practical deadline: tree removals tied to current road projects are scheduled to begin October 1.
The motion ultimately passed, though not unanimously. Following the vote, Chair David Pawloski directed staff to pursue outside funding partners, including grant opportunities, the county, and the local conservation district, and asked fellow commissioners to individually raise the policy’s funding needs with their county commissioner contacts.
What’s next: Managing Director Travis Bartholomew said the replacement policy will now be included in the same mailing residents receive when notified a tree on their property is scheduled for removal, giving residents a roughly two-week window to opt in. Commission staff estimated the commission removes about 2,000 trees annually, with as many as 4,000 additional trees potentially affected by ongoing Safe Streets for All (SS4A) safety projects.
