Canton trustees set 2025 millage rates, OK county road funding and multiple service contracts

Canton Township trustees on Sept. 9 approved the townshiptax rates for the Dec. 1, 2025 levy and authorized a series of intergovernmental agreements and service contracts to support local roads, public safety and township operations.

The board voted to set CantonTownshipmills at: charter operating 1.476 mills, fire protection 3.748 mills, police protection 5.676 mills and roads 1.3721 mills, for a combined total of 12.2721 mills. Treasurer Diane Slavens made the motion to set the millage; Trustee Ganguly supported it. The motion passed on a voice vote with all trustees present voting yes.

The townshipfinance director told trustees the operating millages remain unchanged from the prior year and that the roads millage was reduced in accordance with the Headlee rollback requirement; however, taxable values will still rise by up to 3.1% under state inflation rules, which may increase individual bills even though rates were rolled back.

Roads funding and intergovernmental agreements

Trustees authorized two intergovernmental agreements (IGAs) with Wayne County to help finish local road repairs. The board approved an IGA to cover shortfalls on alkali silica reaction (ASR) repairs to several subdivisions; the board said Wayne Countyis contributing $1,000,000 toward the ASR work. Trustees also approved a second IGA under the countylocal partnering initiative: Wayne County will reimburse up to 50% of project costs for designated 2025 local road improvement projects, with a maximum county expenditure of $773,500; the township will pay the remainder.

Both IGA motions were made by Treasurer Slavens and passed unanimously. Township staff and engineering reported five subdivisions had been severely affected by ASR and that the board- and millage-funded program combined with county matching funds will allow additional repairs to proceed this construction season.

Contracts, renewals and purchases

The board approved a third amendment to the user agreement with the Rehabilitation Institute of Michigan (RIM) for use of space at the Summit facility. The amendment extends the agreement 60 months with two 36-month option periods. Rent will start at $71,762.52 per year and increase 3% annually; RIM will also contribute $5,000 annually in sponsorship funds, bringing the first-year total commitment to $76,762.52. Parks and leisure staff described the arrangement as a revenue source tied to community programming.

Trustees approved a three-year renewal with cybersecurity training vendor KnowBe4 for $29,897.70 total (billed as $9,965.90 annually) to continue simulated phishing tests and employee training across township departments. IT staff told trustees the program has helped reduce risky click rates from the low-20s percent range to the mid-teens in recent cycles.

The board also increased an existing blanket purchase order with uniform vendor Priority 1 Emergency by $15,050 to buy commemorative 50th-anniversary badges for sworn officers and embroidered polo shirts for non-sworn staff; the township said the purchase will be paid from forfeiture funds.

Consent calendar and routine business

Trustees approved a consent calendar that included awarding a purchase order to Carpentry Concepts for restroom renovations at the Fleet Services Building and Heritage Park restrooms, professional design services for Fellows Creek Golf course improvements, and completion work on the administration and public safety parking lot. The board also adopted a resolution recognizing the Plymouth FP Softball Diamond Club as a nonprofit for purposes of applying for a charitable-gaming license through the Michigan Gaming Control Board.

Trustees approved minutes from the Aug. 26 and Sept. 2 meetings and authorized payment of bills. All motions reported in this article passed on voice votes with all trustees present supporting the motions.

Votes at a glance

- Millage rates for 12/01/2025 tax levy: adopted as 1.476 (charter), 3.748 (fire), 5.676 (police), 1.3721 (roads); total 12.2721. Motion: Treasurer Diane Slavens; Support: Trustee Ganguly; Outcome: approved. - IGA (ASR repairs) with Wayne County: approved; county contribution reported as $1,000,000; five subdivisions impacted. Motion: Treasurer Diane Slavens; Support: Trustee Foster; Outcome: approved. - IGA (2025 local road partnering): Wayne County to reimburse 50% of eligible project costs up to $773,500. Motion: Treasurer Slavens; Support: Trustee Berninski; Outcome: approved. - Rehabilitation Institute of Michigan amended agreement: 60-month extension + two 36-month options; rent $71,762.52 starting, 3% annual increases; $5,000 annual sponsorship. Motion: Treasurer Slavens; Support: Trustee Berninski; Outcome: approved. - KnowBe4 cybersecurity renewal: three years; $29,897.70 total ($9,965.90 annually). Motion: Treasurer Slavens; Support: Trustee Berninski; Outcome: approved. - Increase blanket purchase order Priority 1 Emergency: $15,050 for 50th-anniversary badges and shirts (forfeiture funds). Motion: Treasurer Slavens; Support: Trustee Foster; Outcome: approved. - Consent calendar (multiple purchase orders and nonprofit recognition): approved. Motion: Treasurer Slavens; Support: Trustee Berninski; Outcome: approved. - Minutes and bills: approved. Motion: Treasurer Slavens; Support: Trustee Berninski; Outcome: approved.

Ending

Township staff said the approved county matching funds and contracts will allow planned road repairs and ongoing services to move forward this construction season; trustees did not register any recorded opposition during the meeting.