The Allegan County Board of Public Works was established and organized under Act 185 of 1957, as amended. The Board of Public Works can be involved in any of the following projects:

• Water supply system
• Sewage disposal system
• Refuse system
• Lake improvements
• Erosion control system

In Allegan County, the board consists of seven members, the Drain Commissioner and six other members appointed by the County Board of Commissioners. The Drain Commissioner is the elected Secretary for the Board of Public Works with Drain Office staff providing administrative support.

Local municipalities contract through the County Board of Public Works for funding purposes of a specific project, which must be approved by the County Board of Commissioners. By utilizing the County’s bond rating, the local municipality receives more favorable and affordable financing. The County of Allegan/Board of Public Works is the owner of record for the project until the incurred debt is paid in full.

In 2003 there were 15 active debt service accounts involving 13 municipalities, with payments billed and paid biannually. A total of $3,248,547.79 in principal, interest, and fee payments were collected and paid for the year 2003.

Three debt funds were closed in 2003. Final payments were made for the Village of Douglas Water System #3 Extension (bonds totaled $600,000 and were issued in 1993), the Township of Otsego Water Supply System #6 (bonds totaled $400,000 and were issued in 1989), and the Village of Douglas Water and Sewer System #2 (bonds totaled $990,000 and were issued in 1995.) Two construction funds were also active in 2003. The construction projects were for the Village of Martin Water System #8 improvement project and the Otsego Township Water Supply and Sanitary Sewer #3 extension project.