When I became Wayne County executive in 2015, I understood that my administration would be measured not by what we promise, rather by what we deliver. Residents expect their government to improve their quality of life, protect their families, strengthen their communities and make responsible use of public resources. That has been the standard guiding my administration, and it is what I believe defines the Wayne County difference.

One of the clearest examples is our commitment to improving regional transportation. Since 2018, my administration has worked to advance a better-connected transit system, recognizing that access to transportation can determine whether someone can get to work, attend school, reach a medical appointment or take advantage of new opportunities. The successful passage of the transit millage represents an important milestone for Wayne County and Southeast Michigan. Now, our responsibility is to translate that investment into meaningful improvements for residents, businesses and communities throughout the region.

We are equally committed to protecting the infrastructure that supports our daily lives. In Sept. 2025, Wayne County launched a $70 million stormwater maintenance project to address aging drainage systems and the challenges posed by increasingly unpredictable severe weather. In a little over a year, our crews have inspected and cleaned 33,000 catch basins, completed 65,000 feet of roadside ditching and jetted more than 70 miles of drainage tiles. This work may not always be visible, but it is essential to protecting homes, businesses, roads and neighborhoods. When severe storms arrive, preparation and coordinated response can make the difference between a manageable disruption and a devastating loss.

When severe storms arrive, preparation and coordinated response can make the difference between a manageable disruption and a devastating loss.

Public safety is another fundamental responsibility of government. Detroit recorded 165 criminal homicides in 2025, down from 323 in 2020, while nonfatal shootings declined approximately 62 percent during that period. Our Fugitive Apprehension Services Team apprehended 1,102 individuals with outstanding felony warrants in 2025. These results reflect the dedication of law enforcement professionals and community partners, as well as investments in violence prevention, mentoring and efforts to address the circumstances that allow violence to take hold. We have made significant progress, but even one homicide is too many, and our work continues.

My administration is also committed to helping families overcome financial challenges that threaten their stability. Through our partnership with Undue Medical Debt, Wayne County has relieved more than $95 million in qualifying medical debt for 102,246 residents. We have achieved this using less than $710,000 in county resources. This is a powerful example of how responsible financial stewardship and effective partnerships can stretch public dollars to deliver meaningful results.

We are also investing in new and growing families at one of the most critical times in life; when they’re expecting and welcome a new baby. Since Rx Kids launched in November 2025, approximately 2,479 families in six Wayne County communities have received about $8.2 million in financial support. By helping parents address essential expenses such as food, housing and utilities during pregnancy and early childhood, we are providing resources when families need them most.

Through our partnership with Undue Medical Debt, Wayne County has relieved more than $95 million in qualifying medical debt for 102,246 residents.

Taken together, these initiatives demonstrate the breadth of county government and the importance of leadership that transitions priorities into results. Transportation expands opportunity. Infrastructure protects our communities. Public safety helps residents live without fear. Medical debt relief eases financial burdens, while investing in young families helps give children a stronger start.

None of this work happens in isolation. Our progress depends on dedicated county employees, municipal leaders, community organizations, regional partners and residents who share a commitment to building a stronger future.

I am proud of what we have achieved and of the practical, results-driven approach that continues to guide our work. But, there is more to accomplish, and I have never suggested otherwise.

The Wayne County difference is ultimately about people: safer neighborhoods, stronger infrastructure, better access to opportunity and families facing fewer financial barriers. That is the responsibility I accepted as county executive in 2015, and it remains the commitment that drives me forward.

– Warren C. Evans is the Wayne County executive.