Mayor Mo Baydoun marked his first 100 days in office on April 13 with an address at the Caroline Kennedy Library, highlighting achievements in public safety, infrastructure improvements, economic development, technology upgrades, and expanded city services. The mayor’s remarks covered a range of initiatives from budget reforms to the establishment of a new grants department and full staffing for the fire department for the first time in ten years.
Baydoun said that at least $500,000 has been cut from unnecessary expenses after inheriting a budget that had overspent by $11.6 million over four years. “Our streets belong to families. Our budget belongs to residents. And this city’s future belongs to everyone who calls Dearborn Heights home,” Baydoun said.
According to figures presented by Baydoun during his address: more than 6,200 traffic citations were issued within the first 100 days; police overtime spending was reduced by over half through improved scheduling; $1.3 million was invested in new Department of Public Works equipment; and more than $100 million in grant funding requests were submitted via the newly created grants department. The library saw 17,000 visits across 320 programs and reached over 600 children through its book delivery program.
Public safety measures included equipping officers with body cameras featuring built-in translation capabilities and establishing a new K-9 unit for detection and tracking work. For fire services, two new EMS units are being added alongside plans for a state-of-the-art fire station named after Chief David Brogan—an effort supported by Congresswoman Rashida Tlaib as well as local officials.
Infrastructure projects have included significant investments such as launching construction on Ann Arbor Trail at month’s end and reinstating sidewalk repairs citywide. Through Safe Streets Grant funding, flashing stop signs and speed humps are being installed near parks and schools; additional efforts include addressing underground utility violations with state partners.
On government modernization efforts, BS&A Cloud conversion is underway across departments for improved financial management with an August launch expected. Customer service training has been implemented citywide along with digital transitions for permitting processes and expanded communications via social media channels that have surpassed two million online views.
Baydoun concluded his remarks stating: “This is only the start. We’ve made real progress, and we’re going to keep building on it to make Dearborn Heights better for the people who live here.”
