Civic Issues
Topics getting the most attention in Delaware County, Pennsylvania public meetings, ranked by how frequently they are discussed.
16 issues in public safety with medium priority
Medical Examiner ARPA equipment purchase
With just over $1 million in leftover ARPA funds that must be spent by year's end — and construction on the new facility stalled — the county will buy forensic gear, including a $650,000 Rapid DNA machine, that it would have needed anyway for accreditation.
Demolition fund running down faster than it refills
Council approved advancing a $110,000 demolition grant for a collapsing Darby Borough house — well over the usual $85,000 cap. But declining real estate transactions mean the Recorder of Deeds demolition fund is replenishing more slowly, with only about 14 such grants left in the roughly $1.4 million balance.
Data Center Utility and Emergency Preparedness Concerns
A resident warned that a proposed light-industrial data center district half a mile from her home could bring thousands of industrial lithium batteries, threatening firefighter safety, the Crum Creek watershed that supplies drinking water to 68,000 people, and nearby schools via noise — and asked the county to use its countywide jurisdiction on fire readiness, hazardous waste and stormwater rules.
Public Defender Office Performance
Public Defender Taylor Dunn reported the county jail population is down more than 50% since 2012, juvenile detention down over 90%, and crime down 35% — while his office handles 70% of criminal cases with an 82% staff retention rate.
Health and human services contracts
Two contract amendments with Child Guidance Resource Centers, Inc. were on the agenda — one adding $1,239 for family-based mental health services and another increasing the value of a drug-and-alcohol case management agreement by up to $25,484.30, both extending services through mid-2027.
Central arraignment room utilization
Councilmember Phillips toured the Media arraignment facility and found it underused — arraignments happen by video, not in person. Council is committing to a year-long stakeholder effort to decide whether to bring people there physically, shrink the space, or rethink central booking entirely.
Health Department update
Health Department Director Lora Werner gave council and the public an update on the department's operations.
Emergency Management Performance Grant Acceptance
The council was scheduled to accept a $142,700 federal grant passed through the state to support emergency management work in the county, including funds for the county's own emergency services and for municipal emergency management efforts.
Swarthmore Nine protest charges
Two speakers asked council to publicly support nine protesters facing trial June 29 for a 2025 pro-Palestinian demonstration at Swarthmore College, urging the DA to drop charges.
Courthouse and Government Center roof projects
Council approved a $2.5 million Government Center roof restoration plus smaller change orders for courthouse masonry, fire alarms, and jail security — funding sources include bond proceeds and contingency funds.
Sheriff's Office body-worn cameras
The Sheriff's Office would buy 31 body cameras from Axon for about $326,000 paid over five years, covering hardware, software and training, with an accredited use policy already in place. Council confirmed capital funds are appropriate since the county owns the gear at the end.
Immunization access funding boosted
The state bumped up the county's CDC immunization grant by $40,351.78, bringing it to $203,301 — money that pays staff working to keep residents' vaccinations on track.
Uncollected criminal fines
A resident said more than $20 million in criminal fines went uncollected in two years and pressed council to attach wages, offset returns, or order community service. Council explained that collecting fines is the courts' and DA's job, not council's.
Fair Acres nurse call system replacement
The 30-year-old call bell system at Fair Acres Building #6 is being replaced for $489,921 so residents can reliably reach nurses — a safety issue for the memory-care unit.
Sheriff's Office reorganization and new positions
The incoming sheriff is reshaping his office — eliminating uniformed leadership roles and adding chief of staff, outreach, special projects and digital media positions, all presented as budget-neutral. One councilmember flagged the $120K chief of staff salary as generous for a first-year appointee.
New Sheriff's Office leadership positions
Council restructured the Sheriff's office, creating a Chief of Staff ($120,000), a Special Projects Assistant, a Community Outreach Specialist, and a Digital Media Specialist while eliminating older positions.