The first meeting of the Board of County Road Commissioners was held on April 22, 1919 and Mr. Green was elected Chairman of the Board and retained this position until he assumed the Governorship of the State of Michigan, January 1, 1927. The monthly meeting dates were established as the first Tuesday of each month at the hour of one thirty (1:30 P.M.) in the afternoon.
Frank F. Rogers, State Highway Commissioner, in conference with the Board of County Road Commissioners, May 12,1919 recommended the trunkline roads to be included in the County Road System. These trunklines were Roads connecting the following points:
One from Ionia to Belding and west to the County Line - Later known as M-44; another was a road from the County Line southeast of Portland, running through the Village of Portland to Ionia, Saranac and Lowell - later called M-16. The third was from Pewamo to Ionia, through Lyons, later known as M-21. The fourth was a road from Belding to Lowell, later known as M-91 and the fifth was a route across the southwest corner of the county through Lake Odessa,
later called M-50. Other short stretches of improved roads were also adopted as county road. Mr. Rogers outlined to the Road Commission their new duties and at this same meeting, E.L. Vohlers was appointed the first Road Superintendent.
The Board decided early to construct roads under the Covert Act and the survey for the first road was ordered at their regular meeting held on July 1, 1919. At the November 4th, 1919 meeting, five petitions for Covert roads were filed. At this same meeting the Board appointed Allan M. Williams as County Highway Engineer, from this time on the Board engaged in an energetic construction program which together with that of the State Highway Department was soon to equip Ionia County with a road system that would best serve its taxpayers.
At their October 1935 meeting the Board of Supervisors adjusted the terms of the Road Commissioners so as to expire with the even year according to statute. Thereafter all terms would be for a period of six (6) years.
During the period of time since its establishment the Road Commission has had the following persons in control of the "Directorship" of the Commission: