Civic Issues
Topics getting the most attention in Delaware County, Pennsylvania public meetings, ranked by how frequently they are discussed.
12 issues in taxes budget with high priority
Human Services Block Grant — $51.15M
The county will contract with Share Food Program for $928,194 in state food purchase funding — up from last year — as SNAP restrictions increase demand. Council asked whether outreach on changing eligibility rules is underway.
Federal housing and homelessness grants
The county is directing about $210,900 in state housing money to two nonprofits for rental help, furniture, and financial literacy classes — funds targeted at homeless and near-homeless residents.
Amended 2026 Capital Improvement Budget
The county cut its capital budget by $18 million to about $109.2 million, reflecting projects added, dropped, and deferred across 85 facilities and 15 parks. Leadership framed it as the county finally getting ahead of years of deferred maintenance — roofs, HVAC, bridges — while leveraging over $7 million in grants.
Property tax refunds and the common level ratio
Six years of court-ordered tax refunds are costing the county $652,000, driven by commercial assessment appeals and the state's falling common level ratio. Reuther wants a public explainer on how this cascading formula hits the county and school districts.
911 System Costs Outpacing State Surcharge
Delaware County replaced its 30-year-old analog radio system with a P25 digital network that's fully operational as of January. The old system had security holes people exploited from cheap Amazon radios, plus dead zones that endangered officers. The new system finished about $3 million under its roughly $35 million budget and should last 25+ years.
Evening meeting schedule change
Council plans to drop Wednesday evening meetings in May for Tuesday daytime sessions. One resident warned her review shows daytime meetings draw almost zero public comment and urged council to reconsider.
Possible future tax increases and cost control
A taxpayer urged council to explain how it's controlling costs after two big tax increases and $700,000 in court-ordered tax refunds. Council pointed to its Tuesday meeting, noting refunds were budgeted and change orders were scrutinized.
$4.4 Million Compensation Study for County Workers
Half the county's non-union workforce could see raises under the Bolton Partners pay plan, but council isn't sure the $4.4 million cap covers employer taxes, overtime and pension impacts. The plan was tabled pending answers before the Wednesday meeting.
Hotel Tax Ordinance Amendment
Delco wants to raise its hotel tax to the legally allowable rate, matching Bucks and Chester counties, to fund the Visit Delco tourism push. Only out-of-town visitors pay it, and it aims to capture more tourism revenue from big 2026 events.
Property Tax Burden and Senior Home Losses
Speaker after speaker invoked the case of Gloria Gaynor, a 91-year-old Upper Darby woman with dementia who lost her home over a $3,500 tax bill, and criticized the county's compounded tax increases. Reuther explained the county's hands are largely tied by state law, and the county has a tax deferral program for homeowners.
Fair Acres nursing home funding agreement
The county signed an Intergovernmental Transfer Agreement with the state Department of Human Services that returns roughly $13.9 million in surplus to Fair Acres, the county-run nursing home. Federal matching funds make the full arrangement worth over $25 million — money that supports care at the county's geriatric center.
Fair Acres Intergovernmental Transfer Agreement
A Medicaid funding mechanism could send Fair Acres about $13.9 million in surplus, but the county has to front the cash in January before tax revenue arrives. Councilmembers weighed the windfall against the county's thin cash position.