News Story

Newly approved Wayne County budget shows stability, sets key priorities

Wayne County Commissioners today unanimously approved a 2025-26 county operating budget that sets key priorities in public health, public safety, housing support and road repair and maintenance despite bracing for potential cuts in revenue from the federal government.

Bolstered by rising property tax assessments, the $847 million general fund budget shows a $47 million increase from the previous year’s budget.

The new budget goes into effect Oct. 1.

“Wayne County residents will again have their key needs met and we have been fortunate enough to add several new initiatives to improve the lives of our residents,” commission Chair Alisha Bell (D-Detroit) said. “This shows what can be accomplished when all branches of county government work together. It’s a statement of values in our community with our residents in mind.”

Commissioner Jonathan C. Kinloch (D-Detroit), chair of the commission’s Ways & Means Committee, which held budget hearings throughout the month, also praised the cooperative spirit behind this year’s budget.

“County Executive (Warren C.) Evans, all other elected officials and all department heads were realistic in their budget proposals and mindful of the uncertainty now surrounding federal funding.”

Guarding against potential shortfalls, the budget includes a $30.9 million surplus.

Among budget highlights:

• Public health spending includes $2 million for at risk children to receive eye care and glasses while another $500,000 is earmarked for a mobile food truck program to bring healthy food items to underserved areas.
• Public safety spending includes $1.6 million for the Violent Crimes Joint Task Force, including the sheriff’s department and other regional and local agencies.
• The budget includes $12 million for the county’s HOME program to assist first-time home buyers with down payments and closing costs.

In addition, some 300 miles of county roads will be repaired in the coming year through the public services budget. Also, the budget calls for $3 million to be allocated for signal preemption technology placed within police and fire department vehicles and at designated intersections to coordinate with stoplights across 13 communites.