Wayne County Commission approves multiple contracts for infrastructure, parks, senior meals and towing

The Wayne County Commission approved a package of departmental contracts and amendments brought as immediate considerations because committee review was not completed before the new year. Commissioners voted to approve items 1–6 together after departmental staff described each request and commissioners asked follow‑up questions.

Key items approved:

• RMS Energy Company (Item 1): A three‑year professional services contract with two one‑year renewal options with RMS Energy Company, LLC, not to exceed $689,137.50 for electrical troubleshooting, repairs, testing and maintenance at combined sewer retention/treatment basins and the Rouge Valley sewage disposal system lift station. Elizabeth Perera, assistant division director for DPS Environmental Services, told commissioners the systems are old and the RFQ selected RMS as the most qualified vendor; prior emergency work had been performed by the company.

• Parks wheel loader (Item 2): An addendum to a cooperative purchase through Sourcewell with McAllister, Inc. doing business as Michigan Cat, not to exceed $198,571.35 for a Caterpillar wheel loader to replace aging parks equipment; Wayne County Parks Director Erica Smith said the replacement was budgeted from the Parks Millage and that warranty details will be provided as a follow‑up.

• Ferry Street bridge (Item 3): Amendment No. 1 to a three‑year contract with Great Lakes Engineering Group, LLC, in the amount of $25,733.26 to expand investigations into the historical significance of the Ferry Street bridge in Grosse Ile Township and to obtain State Historic Preservation Office and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers permits. County highway engineers said the historic review is a normal part of the design process; if the bridge is found historic, additional documentation and permitting (estimated $20,000–$30,000 for this stage) are required prior to reconstruction.

• Joy Road/McClumpha Road intersection (Item 4): A retroactive amendment to a one‑year construction contract not to exceed $64,808.91 to complete traffic signal installation and crosswalk safety work near Canton‑Plymouth schools. Staff said the project opened before school and that most work was finished in May 2025; the amendment allows the county to close out the contract under a 180‑day closeout rule.

• Senior Alliance meals (Item 5): Amendment No. 7 extends a three‑year agreement with the Senior Alliance (no change in dollar amount) through FY '23–'26 to continue congregate and home‑delivered meals (including halal options) in 34 western Wayne County and downriver communities. William "Chuck" Jackson, director of senior services, said the county will rebid the contract beginning February for a new three‑year term starting 10/1/2026.

• Martins Towing revenue contract (Item 6): A retroactive revenue contract with Martins Towing for towing, storage and auction services (estimated revenue $150,000) for 10/01/2025–09/30/2027 with renewal options. Bonita Terry, chief of administration for the Sheriff’s Office, said the vendor was selected via RFP and an evaluation committee; commissioners pressed for RFP criteria, expressed concern over towing industry risks, asked why the contract was retroactive and requested legal coordination regarding an ongoing federal forfeiture lawsuit affecting county practices.

Motion to approve items 1–6 was moved by Commissioner Peterson Mayberry and supported by Commissioner Wilson; the consolidated motion carried as recorded.

Several commissioners requested follow‑up detail on vendor warranties, RFP scoring criteria, and the schedule for rebidding or oversight steps.