The Wixom City Council on the evening of the meeting tabled a proposed 12‑month Lamar billboard campaign for downtown Wixom and approved several procurement items including the retention of audit firm Plante Moran, the purchase of two police department vehicles, a replacement ambulance and a new three‑year property assessing contract and city signage program.

Council tabled the billboard recommendation after several council members questioned the traffic impressions and swap‑out costs for a single tri‑vision board on the north side of I‑96 near the Wixom Road exit. "The billboard is located on the North side of I‑96, between Beck and Wixom Road. . . . it faces east so if you are traveling westbound it faces east," the presenter, Miss Cloutier, said while describing placement and vendor pricing. Council member Sharp said he supported the idea but wanted clearer traffic data and told colleagues, "I'm gonna vote no tonight, but I like the idea of doing a billboard." A motion to table, moved from the dais by Councilman Gautam, passed on a roll call vote and the matter will return to council after staff and the Downtown Development Authority provide clarified pricing and impressions data.

The council approved a one‑year contract to retain Plante Moran PLLC of Detroit to perform the fiscal 2024–25 audit at a cost not to exceed $77,080. Marilyn, presenting the finance item, said the increase from the prior year was $1,325 (1.75 percent) and that the budget included a roughly 3 percent audit line increase. She also noted $1,409 of the cost would be covered and paid by the city’s water/wastewater contractor.

The council also authorized the purchase of two police vehicles from Lunghammer Ford of Owasso, Michigan: a 2025 Ford Escape for $34,730 (investigative vehicle account) and a 2025 Ford Ranger for $37,656 (police vehicle account). Police leadership told council the Escape replaced a 2009 vehicle with a failing frame and the Ranger would be assigned to the detective bureau for surveillance duties, while retaining equipment that allows limited patrol use.

On emergency medical services, council waived competitive bidding and approved purchase of a demo Bravo 1 ambulance from RSVP Ambulance of Toledo, Ohio, not to exceed $300,000 from the rescue replacement fund. Fire leadership said the demo unit would avoid long build times for a new rig, include a full warranty, be wrapped to match the fleet and add a power‑load system already installed on the unit. The chief said the price was negotiated down from typical Class‑3 builds that can exceed $400,000.

Council approved a three‑year professional services agreement with WCA Assessing of Westland, Michigan, to provide property assessment services, with first‑year cost of $125,887. Assistant City Manager Vincent summarized options after Oakland County announced large cost increases for its equalization/assessing services. Vincent said staff evaluated keeping services in‑house, partnering with another municipality, remaining with the county at proposed higher rates and contracting with an outside firm; staff recommended WCA given capacity and references. WCA’s managing director, Aaron Powers, attended and described staffing and experience during the discussion.

Finally, the council awarded a bid for gateway, facility identification and wayfinding signage to Johnson Sign Company of Jackson, Michigan, approving a total project budget not to exceed $599,882 (split between DDA and city signage capital accounts) and authorizing the city manager to sign. Assistant City Manager Benson and a Johnson Sign representative explained the package covers roughly 60–65 signs (mostly replacements or retrofits), recommended a 5 percent contingency and included two small additions (an interior room sign and revised lettering for the community center façade).

Votes at a glance
- Lamar billboard campaign (12‑month contract, $30,900): Motion to table passed (mover: Councilman Gautam). Council requested clarified traffic impression data, details on tri‑vision swap fees and a DDA/administration follow‑up. Outcome: TABLED.
- Plante Moran PLLC — retain as city auditors for FY 2024–25 (cost not to exceed $77,080): APPROVED.
- Vehicle purchases — 2025 Ford Escape ($34,730) and 2025 Ford Ranger ($37,656) from Lunghammer Ford: APPROVED.
- Ambulance purchase — waive competitive bid; purchase demo Bravo 1 ambulance from RSVP Ambulance (not to exceed $300,000): APPROVED.
- WCA Assessing — professional services agreement for property assessment, 3‑year term, first‑year cost $125,887: APPROVED.
- Johnson Sign Company — fabrication and installation of gateway/facility wayfinding signage, total project budget not to exceed $599,882: APPROVED.

Why it matters
Taken together, the approvals advance a package of city capital and administrative projects that affect public safety readiness (new ambulance and police vehicles), routine financial oversight (auditor retention) and city branding/wayfinding (signage). Tabling the billboard keeps the city from committing to an outdoor advertising contract pending clearer data on impressions and ongoing DDA input. Council members repeatedly asked staff for clearer cost breakdowns and more precise traffic‑impression methods before approving any paid billboard campaign.

What’s next
Council directed staff and the Downtown Development Authority to return with clarified pricing and impression metrics on the billboard proposal before the item returns to the council agenda. The approved contracts proceed to execution as authorized by council for Plante Moran, the vehicle purchases, RSVP Ambulance, WCA Assessing and Johnson Sign Company. Council members and staff said they would monitor implementation and follow up on any required budget adjustments.