Canton Township approves OHM contract for transit needs assessment ahead of 2026 millage

Canton Township’s Board of Trustees voted July 8 to approve a professional services agreement with OHM Advisors for a public transit needs assessment and implementation strategy, authorizing a purchase order not to exceed $115,945. The motion was made by Clerk Kirk Siegrist and supported by Treasurer Slavens; the board approved the contract.

The assessment is intended to map Canton’s existing transit network, identify recommended locations for new transit connections and potential service expansions, and produce an implementation strategy. Director Norwood told the board, “this millage is coming next year, so we wanna be prepared the best way possible,” and said the work will be coordinated with neighboring Western Wayne County communities.

Why it matters: In early 2025 the transcript records discussion of Public Act 236, which the meeting materials describe as prohibiting municipalities in Wayne County from opting out of regional transit and authorizing a countywide millage vote. Township staff said the study will inform Canton’s position and feed into a concurrent county planning effort ahead of the potential 2026 vote.

Planning staff described an open request for proposals that drew three bids; OHM Advisors scored highest based on past experience completing a transit needs assessment in an adjacent community, regional relationships and staffing capacity, according to the materials presented. The RFP estimated the project will take nine to 12 months and include public engagement, existing-conditions analysis, market and traffic studies, recommendations and an implementation strategy.

Patrick Sloan, listed in the meeting as a community planner, said public engagement is already underway: staff collected input at Liberty Fest, the township’s online survey was still open through the end of the month and, as of the meeting, “the last time I heard we had almost 700 responses.” Sloan and other staff also said Canton is coordinating with a consortium of up to 15 communities in Western Wayne County; the agreement allows the consultant to expand the scope if additional communities opt to participate.

The trustees’ motion authorized the purchase order subject to review by the township’s legal counsel. If work is awarded, staff said services would begin immediately and be used to inform both local priorities and the countywide planning process.