By Warren C. Evans, Wayne County County Executive
Over the past year, Wayne County has continued to make progress on issues that directly affect the daily lives of our residents—from public safety and transportation to infrastructure, stormwater management and financial relief for families. These accomplishments are important, but they are not the finish line. They are the foundation for the work still ahead.
One of the clearest examples is how we are moving forward on transportation. In August, the transit millage successfully passed, providing an important foundation for improving and expanding public transportation throughout Wayne County. Better transit means greater mobility and independence for residents, improved access to jobs and services, and a stronger workforce for businesses. Our goal remains a better-connected Wayne County where residents in every community can more easily reach the opportunities available throughout our region.
Our infrastructure work is equally important. Wayne County has established ambitious goals for improving the condition of roads, bridges, culverts and traffic signals. The transportation vision calls for a safer, more reliable and resilient system serving all 43 communities in the county.
Stormwater management is another area where progress is already measurable. As of September 16, our crews had inspected and cleaned 33,000 catch basins, completed 65,000 feet of roadside ditching and jetted 70.25 miles of drainage tiles. This work may not always be visible, but maintaining drainage infrastructure is essential to protecting roads, neighborhoods and property.
We are also helping families address financial pressures. Through our partnership with Undue Medical Debt, more than $95 million in medical debt has been relieved for more than 102,000 Wayne County residents, using just under $710,000 in county resources. The initiative demonstrates how strategic partnerships can stretch public dollars and provide meaningful relief to households.
In a related effort focused on improving the health of our residents, through Rx Kids, thousands of families in six Wayne County communities have received direct financial assistance during pregnancy and the early months of a child’s life. Since November 2025, 2,479 families had enrolled, with approximately $8.2 million in support provided.
And I can’t conclude without touting the notable success of our continued effort to reduce crime. Collaboration among Wayne County, local communities and law enforcement partners is producing measurable results. From 2019 through 2025, homicides declined by approximately 40 percent, non-fatal shootings by 41 percent and robberies by 62 percent. Burglaries declined by 39 percent, while arson declined by 45 percent. The progress demonstrates what can happen when communities and public-safety partners work together toward a common goal.
There is more work ahead. We will continue moving forward on transit, repairing and improving our roads, strengthening stormwater infrastructure, expanding medical debt relief and building on the progress we have made in reducing crime.
The measure of government is ultimately found in whether our work makes a meaningful difference in people’s lives. The progress of the past year gives us a strong foundation. Now, we must continue building on it—together, community by community, throughout Wayne County.