Packed seats filled the auditorium at Woodhaven High School as the community leaned in—not just to hear words, but to witness the accountability that comes after a decade of leadership. Wayne County Executive Warren C. Evans stood center stage, marking his 10th State of the County address with a message that cut straight to the heartbeat of regional progress: “Collaboration is the new currency.” That wasn’t just a theme. It was a declaration built on ten years of transformation, and a challenge to every community, every official, and every resident watching.
The story of Wayne County under Evans’ leadership has been about recovery, reinvestment, and recalibration. Detroiters remember the years when the county flirted with bankruptcy. But Evans came into office with a mission—one that put people before politics and policies into practice. “Today, Wayne County is better off—much better off—because of the bold decisions we made at a time when it was assumed we were on track for bankruptcy,” Evans said. The progress didn’t happen quietly or overnight. It came through pushing past political gridlock and making decisions grounded in long-term benefit, not short-term applause.
For a region long stigmatized by financial turmoil, Evans’ focus on economic accountability delivered numbers that resonate. Ten consecutive balanced budgets. A growing credit rating that places Wayne County in the top investment tier. “Hitting a balanced budget ten straight times means that betting on Wayne County is a solid bet,” he told the crowd. This shift opens doors for reinvestment. Lower interest rates for public projects mean more money stays local. More retirees see their pensions secured. More public servants know their work won’t be cut short by a fiscal cliff.
That stability makes room for more than just balanced books. It makes space for innovation that reaches families where they live. One initiative aims to eliminate medical debt. Already, $40 million has been wiped out for over 70,000 residents, providing financial breathing room in a time when healthcare costs continue to crush working-class families. It’s one of many examples where the Evans administration focuses on both structural and human outcomes.
Health equity remained front and center. The county is preparing to launch a partnership with Eastern Market to distribute fresh produce to schools and seniors through its Fresh Foods program. That access—consistent, reliable access—to nutrition is designed not as a handout but as a strategic pivot to reshape community wellness. “People usually use it for the right reason. They really do,” Evans said of another program, Rx Kids, which provides expecting mothers with $1,500 and then $500 each month for the first six months of their baby’s life. Born out of work in Flint, the program is expanding in Wayne County and has proven to reduce child poverty rates.
Vision support is another issue getting real traction. More than 3,500 students have already received free eyeglasses through a school-based program. That’s not about vanity. That’s about classroom readiness, educational equity, and giving children what they need to succeed.
Infrastructure development also earned serious attention. More than $63 million was invested last year across Wayne County. The county repaired bridges in Westland, Lincoln Park, Ecorse, Inkster, and Detroit. Stormwater and wastewater upgrades targeted long-standing issues in communities that have lived through flooding, backed-up drains, and erosion. These fixes are layered with intention—addressing not only today’s needs but preparing the region for a more climate-resilient future. Green energy projects through the PACE program have already surpassed $100 million in lifetime investments.
Public safety came with its own receipts. Detroit recorded its first annual drop in homicides in more than fifty years. The trend reflects a broader reduction in crime across the county. Evans, a former sheriff and police chief, pointed to the county’s Violent Crime Reduction Initiative launched in 2019. It brought together decision-makers and agencies to focus not only on enforcement but on violence prevention. “As a former sheriff and police chief, I can tell you that these results don’t just happen. It takes leadership and it takes collaboration,” Evans said.
Transit, however, might be where the biggest test of unity lies ahead. Seventeen of Wayne County’s 43 communities currently opt out of the SMART bus system. But thanks to a new Michigan law that eliminates the opt-out provision, that’s about to change. Evans called this “a defining moment.” By 2026, a countywide transit proposal will land before voters. Evans made clear: “This isn’t my plan—this is our plan.” He stressed that access to transit determines where young people choose to live and that aging populations also need reliable transportation options. “This isn’t just about convenience. It’s about access, opportunity and improving lives for residents who can’t afford a car or are unable to drive a car; or who simply don’t want a car,” Evans said.
That shift matters. Transit policy has historically left entire pockets of the region isolated. Without reliable public transportation, job access gets cut off, healthcare becomes harder to reach, and students miss educational opportunities. This new push forces all Wayne County communities to come to the table. That’s the thread tying the entire address together. Evans returned to it throughout the night: Shared leadership.
It’s an approach deeply familiar to Detroiters who’ve watched siloed power structures stall meaningful progress for decades. Evans made it clear that the way forward requires uncomfortable conversations, transparent budgeting, and decisions made with public input—not backroom deals. “Collaboration is the new currency,” he repeated. That mantra wasn’t theoretical. It reflected how the county moved from the brink of bankruptcy to investment-grade credit. How it took on youth services reform that now draws national recognition. How partnerships with health institutions led to bold new ideas for maternal and child well-being.
The Moving Forward series, Evans said, is gaining traction across youth rehabilitation networks. Juvenile Youth Services now centers its model on intervention and restoration rather than just discipline. That shift isn’t accidental. It’s the result of coordinated policy work and a belief that young people can be redirected before systems label them forever.
None of these efforts happen without buy-in from both government and community. Whether it’s offering fruits and vegetables to households or restructuring the way mass transit is delivered, Evans underscored that long-term success depends on removing silos between agencies, townships, and leaders. The county’s $2.23 billion budget backs up that idea, carving out $25 million for employee raises, contracting with local small businesses and nonprofits, and staffing the new criminal justice complex with care and intention.
“We’re not just balancing the numbers, we’re investing in our people,” Evans said. That investment isn’t limited to those working inside county buildings. It shows up in how the region addresses debt, how it feeds families, and how it moves residents.
Wayne County’s population has grown by 9,000 in the last few years. Detroit added more than 1,800 people from July 2022 to July 2023. “What that’s telling us is people aren’t running from Detroit to the out counties, or vice versa. We’re all growing,” Evans said. That growth doesn’t happen in a vacuum. It’s tied to opportunity, perception, and stability.
At its core, the 2025 State of the County address served as both reflection and blueprint. It painted a picture of what’s possible when leaders move beyond party lines and prioritize people. It challenged every seat in that auditorium—and every community across the region—to step into shared ownership of the future.
“Despite significant challenges, we’ve accomplished so much,” Evans said. “Adversity doesn’t stop us in Wayne County.”
That’s a message Detroit understands. Not just because we’ve lived it, but because we’ve carried it. Now, with the groundwork laid, the question is no longer whether Wayne County can rise—it’s how high we’re willing to build together.
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