Civic Issues
Topics getting the most attention in Delaware County, Pennsylvania public meetings, ranked by how frequently they are discussed.
13 issues in taxes budget
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.
Workday implementation risk
The county's big shift from paper to electronic HR, finance, and grants systems needs help. Council will consider a Workday Success Plan contract (up to $300,000 annually for up to three years) plus supplemental consulting to keep the rollout on track.
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.
County Pension Cost-of-Living for Retirees
A retired Chester police detective asked whether county retirees — including county detectives excluded from a new state COLA law — could get a pension cost-of-living increase. Reuther said the pension is well-funded but any COLA raises the county's required contribution and must go through the pension board.
Tax Claim Bureau Payment Plan Practices
Speakers revisited the case of Gloria Gaynor, whose home was sold over about $30,500 in unpaid property taxes, and asked council and state lawmakers to add redemption rights to Pennsylvania's municipal claim and tax lien law. One speaker confirmed her passing.
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.
Fair Acres nurses' union contract extension
The PASNAP agreement covering employees at the county's Fair Acres Geriatric Center was extended through June 30, 2027, keeping labor peace at the county's nursing home.
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.
No county fleet management policy despite six years of vehicle buying
Council members are frustrated that the county keeps buying vehicles — like three $124,000 Dodge Durangos for investigators — without a written fleet management policy. A 2023 controller's audit recommended one, drafts have been circulating for two years, and members say they still can't get a clear picture of what the county owns, what it costs to repair, and what should be replaced.
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.
TestandGo kiosk spending concerns
A speaker blasted the $100,000 renewal for the county's health kiosks, arguing the machines could be bought outright for far less and questioning who benefits from the rental arrangement funded by opioid settlement dollars.
Fair Acres Geriatric Center kitchen renovation
Chair Womack recapped the unveiling of a renovated kitchen at Fair Acres, the county's geriatric center, bringing expanded menu options and a refreshed dining space for residents.