Gibraltar council adopts resolution opposing Wayne County transit millage after hours of public comment

The Gibraltar City Council voted to adopt a resolution opposing the proposed Wayne County transit millage after hearing more than an hour of public comment from residents, advocacy groups and a SMART representative. The vote followed a heated exchange at the public-comment podium between disability advocates who urged council to reconsider opposition and local organizers who said the tax would not deliver promised services to Gibraltar.

John Waterman, executive director and founder of PEAK, came to the microphone with several program participants and described how limited local bus service restricts independence for people with disabilities. "We have an opportunity in Wayne County to change accessibility," Waterman said, urging the council to "seriously reconsider your opposition to this millage." He added that trained transit staff and microtransit options can provide lifelines for people who otherwise must rely on costly ride-hailing.

Opposing voices included Matt Wilk, organizer of Not Smart Wayne, who told council that analysis of the county's transit evaluation showed most new funds would go to fixed routes and not to paratransit and senior programs he said are critical to the people in the room. "Less than 1 percent of the tax dollars goes toward senior transportation," Wilk said, citing figures from the county report and urging caution about expanding funding without guaranteed benefits to paratransit riders.

Jordan Vonzinda, representing SMART, told council he was not there to ask for a vote but to answer questions. He said paratransit is federally required to operate alongside fixed-route service and that SMART's community partnership programs are reflected in agency materials. "Paratransit is meant to mimic fixed-route service for seniors and people with disabilities," Vonzinda said, and offered to provide handouts with program details.

Council discussion highlighted two recurring tensions: uncertainty about whether new routes would actually serve Gibraltar and concern among some council members and residents about the cost to local taxpayers. City staff reminded council that Gibraltar historically opted out of county transit funding and that the ballot measure would be a new tax for residents.

After debate, Councilmember Dill moved the resolution opposing the millage; the motion was seconded and carried on a roll-call vote.

The resolution will be posted with the city’s meeting minutes and the council president said staff would make related correspondence available on request. The vote does not directly prevent individual residents from voting for the county measure on the ballot; it records the council’s formal position to the public and county officials.