Civic Issues
Topics getting the most attention in Delaware County, Pennsylvania public meetings, ranked by how frequently they are discussed.
15 issues
November 3 General Election Preparation
A commenter argued Pennsylvania's online mail ballot portal wrongly excludes active-duty military members and their families, and asked county election staff to acknowledge the problem and meet with him.
$120 Million Open Space Bond Referendum
Voters could decide in November whether the county borrows up to $120 million to protect drinking water, rivers, wetlands, parks, and natural areas from development. Council debates the actual vote Wednesday — the resolution just puts the question on the ballot.
Regional Youth Detention Center Agreement
Since the county's juvenile detention center closed in 2021, judges who order a kid held have no guaranteed placement — staff literally call other counties hoping for a bed. Resolution 2026-01 would join a Berks County-led regional facility with eight dedicated beds for Delaware County. Council members debated whether the county's own Juvenile Detention Board of Managers still makes sense alongside a regional authority.
Crozer Hospital Closure Aftermath
A $250,000 grant application would help partners offer nurse-practitioner primary care to Chester residents left without a hospital. The county is just the money-handler, not the provider.
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.
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.
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.
County Road Conditions and Blight
A vacant, structurally dangerous building at 704 Pusey Avenue in Collingdale is coming down with a $75,000 county grant, including stabilization of the shared wall with the neighboring house.
Darby Borough vacant structure demolition
A $110,000 grant from the demolition fund was proposed to tear down a vacant building at 939 Forrester Avenue in Darby — removing a potential blight and safety hazard.
Stormwater management and Chester Creek Trail
DVRPC is set to allocate $9.75 million to build the next 1.3 miles of the Chester Creek Trail with no county match. Separately, a $300,000 DCNR grant will fund an ADA-accessible loop trail, parking and bathrooms at Delco Woods (former Don Guanella School).
Criminal justice and public safety funding
The council was scheduled to approve about $41,640 in federal grant money to buy body armor for officers in four Delaware County police departments — Chester City ($19,900), Darby Township ($9,480), Yeadon ($7,400), and Sharon Hill ($4,860). Departments must certify that officers are required to wear the armor while on patrol. It's a small budget item but directly touches officer safety in some of the county's busiest communities.
Darby Creek Trail washout repairs
A stretch of trail between the Swedish Cabin and Kent Park has been washing out since 2020 due to flooding and stormwater runoff. The county will seek a $500,000 state grant for drainage fixes, stream bank armoring, and a flood-resistant trail rebuild.
Sheriff's Office public safety drone program
The county will apply for a $50,000 grant to buy an American-made drone for the Sheriff's Office — used for search and rescue, warrant service, and situational awareness. Council supports it but worries the draft policy lets uses drift beyond what a sheriff's office is legally empowered (and insured) to do, and wants any drone policy subject to council approval before the purchase comes back.
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.