Wayne County confirms health-department leadership appointments and readies SNAP pause response; commissioners ask for reporting on ARPA-funded programs
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Summary
Wayne County commissioners approved the permanent appointment of Dr. Avni Sheth as medical health officer and of Kaniel Johnson as director of Health, Human and Veterans Services, and asked staff to produce written reporting on ARPA-funded initiatives and a plan to mitigate SNAP-benefit interruptions.
Wayne County commissioners voted to approve two senior appointments in the county's Health, Human and Veterans Services (HHVS) department and discussed county responses to federal changes affecting SNAP benefits and the use of ARPA funds for public-health initiatives.
Appointment approvals: Interim HHVS director Kaniel Johnson asked the commission to confirm Dr. Avni Sheth as the county's medical health officer. Staff said Dr. Sheth has served in the role on an interim basis since April 4, 2025 and brings board-certified clinical experience and public-health leadership. Commissioners asked about Sheth's priorities; Sheth said she will focus on workforce development, strengthening data capacity (including finalizing the community health assessment and improvement plan), and building community partnerships. Commissioners also raised emerging threats (measles, avian influenza, mpox) and misinformation about vaccines; Sheth emphasized evidence-based messaging and said mRNA vaccines "continue to be life saving."
Separately, Janelle Allen (chief operating officer for the county executive) presented Kaniel Johnson for permanent appointment as director of HHVS. Johnson said her priorities include operational stability, sustainability of county programs and community engagement. Commissioners voiced broad support for Johnson and asked for updates on programs launched with ARPA funds.
ARPA funding and program sustainability: Commissioners asked how much ARPA money was allocated to public health. County staff said roughly $50,000,000 of the county's $332,000,000 ARPA allocation has been directed to public-health initiatives; some of those funds were shifted into a Remedy replacement category to extend spending flexibility beyond original deadlines. Commissioners emphasized the need for sustainability plans before promoting programs to constituents.
SNAP-benefits pause: Kaniel Johnson briefed the commission on county monitoring of a federal pause and uncertainty in SNAP benefit distributions; staff said the federal shutdown had ended and Congress extended the budget through January, but benefit timing and amounts remained uncertain. Johnson said the department is finalizing an immediate proposal to present to the full commission next Thursday to offset hardships for affected residents.
Votes and next steps: The commission approved both appointments by voice vote. Staff committed to provide written reporting on ARPA-funded public-health initiatives and to return next week with a proposed plan addressing SNAP benefit interruptions.
Ending: The commission confirmed two permanent HHVS leadership appointments, requested written metrics and sustainability plans for ARPA programs, and directed staff to bring a SNAP-mitigation proposal for immediate consideration next week.
