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Resident urges Wayne County to publish long‑term plans and budgets for gravel roads
Summary
A Wayne County resident used public comment to press commissioners for clearer, published plans for gravel and dirt roads, citing decades of declining maintenance, drainage problems and concerns about emergency access.
During the committee’s public‑comment period on Feb. 24, David Rati, a resident, used his two minutes to urge Wayne County commissioners to produce and publish long‑term plans and budgets for gravel and dirt roads in his townships.
Rati said he has lived in the area for decades and described a long decline in regular maintenance such as crowning and grading; he said drainage ditches are overgrown so water cannot flow to ditches and that he fears the condition could impede emergency vehicles.
"My big thing is I want to see stuff in paper. Like I started calling last year about our roads have not been properly crowned in several years," Rati told the committee, asking for schedules and public posting of work plans or budgets so residents can track what the county is doing in their area.
Chairman Reki thanked Rati for attending and noted staff had spoken with the roads director earlier; commissioners did not vote on new road funding during the meeting. The comment ended the public‑input period before adjournment.
Why it matters: Gravel and dirt roads affect rural residents’ daily travel and emergency access; public requests for transparency can shape future priorities and budget requests. Rati asked that the county post planned road work online so residents can confirm progress and understand long‑term strategies.
Next step: No formal action was taken during the meeting; Rati’s request remains a public record and commissioners or staff may respond at a future meeting or through staff follow up.
