Wayne city manager cites improved fund balances, debt reductions and completion of lead-line replacements in 2025

City Manager Diane Webb told the Wayne City Council during the body's third regular meeting that the city closed 2025 with measurable financial and operational improvements and a slate of grant-funded projects that advanced public safety and downtown revitalization.

Webb said the city has been in a structural deficit since 2012 after property tax revenue fell sharply; she credited recent actions for narrowing that gap. She told council the city added $979,096 to fund balance over the past two years and balanced the 2025 budget with a $232,000 surplus. Webb also cited larger fund-balance figures and compliance with the city's policy: "We increased the General Fund balance by $9,747,000, which represents 29% of annual expenses," she said.

Webb listed specific debt reductions: pension debt fell from $61,518,547 to $60,098,455 and OPEB (other post‑employment benefits) went from $3,320,138 to $2,861,706. Long‑term bond debt, she said, dropped from $10,500,000 to $8,605,000. She said two outstanding bond issues mature in 2028 and 2029 and will reduce future interest costs.

On taxes and policy constraints, Webb pointed to the "Headley amendment" (as named in her presentation) as a factor limiting property tax growth and said inflation has raised costs substantially since 2010.

Webb and staff highlighted grant-funded projects and accomplishments in 2025: a $700,000 Wayne County CDBG grant funded demolition of a blighted parking structure and a new library parking lot; $212,000 in state park grants was secured for a one‑mile walking path at Atwood Park; $88,000 from the state treasury funded a BSNA technology conversion; and combined Wayne County park millage allotments funded two new pickleball courts.

Operational highlights Webb described included completing Goudy Park phase 1 and the amphitheater rebuild (a $1,300,000 project funded with HUD, MEDC and Wayne County ARPA funds), improvements to streets and water lines, and administrative reorganizations intended to reduce overhead. She credited the Department of Public Works with replacing 516 lead service lines in the 2025 construction season and said approximately 1,068 lead service lines have been replaced since 2023; "the city is now officially lead free," Webb said.

Departmental metrics Webb reported included the police department's response to 18,617 calls and the fire department's response to 4,004 calls for service in 2025, with five firefighters completing paramedic training and an ISO rating maintained at 4. Webb closed by outlining 2026 goals including capital projects (Goudy Park phase 2, Hubbard Street water/sewer and road work), collective bargaining negotiations and records digitization.

What happens next: Webb said some countermeasures to the projected 2026 deficit will not take effect until fiscal 2027, and that staff will continue to present updates to council as plans and timelines evolve.