Released: December 2, 2022
Delaware County Council will propose the FY2023 budget on December 7, 2022, at 6:00 p.m. during Council’s public meeting. A public hearing regarding the budget will be held on December 8, 2022, at 10:00 a.m. in the County Council Public Meeting Room.
The FY2023 budget is the third consecutive budget that includes no new tax hikes as it makes unprecedented investments in the County's post-COVID future. Council is expected to consider the budget for final passage on December 14, 2022, at its public meeting at 6:00 p.m.
“With this year’s budget, Council is keeping the commitment it made when a new majority took office in January 2020: to be careful stewards of taxpayer money while making important, and long-overdue, changes to how the County operates and invests in its residents’ future,” said Council Chair Dr. Monica Taylor. “I am extremely proud that this year’s budget proposal not only holds the line on taxes for the third straight year, but it makes unprecedented investments in its infrastructure, operations, and services it provides to residents and workers.”
Over the last three years, Delaware County has made significant investments. From the opening of the County's new Health Department to building the County's first-ever HR system to creating the County's largest park at the Don Guanella site to rethinking public safety and how justice is delivered by removing the profit motive from our jail, Delaware County made fundamental changes while protecting taxpayers.
The newly proposed budget reflects the major changes and improvements the County has made, including the planning and implementation of programs and policies funded in previous years budgets. It also builds on the progress made as the County recovers and grows following the COVID-19 pandemic. While the pandemic continues to pose ongoing problems, thanks to science, vaccines, immunity, and ongoing public mitigation efforts—the County is emerging stronger in many ways due to investments made in previous budgets.
Among the priorities and investments in this year’s budget are:
A new “no wrong door” program which will dramatically improve the County’s ability to provide necessary services to residents no matter how or where they come into contact with government. Beginning with the County Health Department, visitors can obtain assistance and services from the County 24-hours a day through a central hub "Wellness Line.”
The launch of a “Zero Waste” program, which will completely transform the County's approach to handling waste. Not only will “Zero Waste” create new economic opportunities, but it will put Delaware County at the forefront of communities taking action to protect their natural resources.
The creation of a new landbank that will allow the County to reinvest in and revive underutilized and abandoned properties, allowing for affordable housing, new commercial development, and additional greenspace.
Continued transformation of the county's HR system to focus on building career paths for new workers by increasing training, benefits, and pay to attract and retain highly qualified County employees.
Remaining committed to being a careful steward of taxpayer resources by moving toward a “zero- based budgeting” model for certain government agencies.
This year’s budget presentation continues critical transparency and disclosure of taxpayer spending. In addition to the budget being available, a new capital budget and data tables detailing the source and uses of all sources of funds -- taxes, fees, capital, and grants – have been created.
The Proposed Budget will be posted online after the public hearing on December 8, so any changes would be incorporated.
For more information, please visit: https://www.delcopa.gov/departments/budgetmanagement.html