Wayne County leaders request comprehensive review after Detroit Free Press flags tax-abatement issues

Chair (name not given in the transcript) told the Ways & Means Committee that a Detroit Free Press article published Nov. 21 raised multiple concerns about Michigan’s tax-abatement programs, including the absence of a state-required cost-benefit analysis, destroyed documents and a concentration of commercial rehabilitation exemptions. "...a disproportionate share of commercial re rehabilitation, exemptions, representing approximately $9,300,000 in abatement, associated with the city of Detroit just for fiscal year 2024 alone," the chair said.

The chair said she and Chairwoman Bell formally requested a comprehensive report from the Wayne County Economic Development Office, the Office of the Treasurer and the Management and Budget Division of Equalization and Assessment on "all tax abatements, incentives, and financial assistance actions approved for local municipalities over the past 12 years." The committee agreed to place the item under "such other matters" as a standing follow-up so commissioners can track progress.

During public comment, Darcel Brown, chief assistant for the Wayne County Executive’s Office, confirmed the county had received the commission’s tax-abatement letter addressed to the executive’s office and said he would follow up after re-sending the document to address issues with printing and viewing. "I just sent over an email because we were having trouble viewing the letter... So they could resend it, and then we'll make sure that I'll follow-up on that as well," Brown said.

No formal policy change or vote on abatements occurred at the meeting; commissioners directed staff to produce the requested report and scheduled the item for follow-up under the committee’s standing agenda items.