Delaware County Budget Task Force Reconvenes This Month

URGENT UPDATE: The Delaware County Budget Task Force is set to reconvene by the end of this month, aiming to enhance the county’s financial stability amid ongoing fiscal challenges. This announcement comes as officials seek more community involvement in the budgeting process, which previously faced a staggering 23% property tax increase.

At a council meeting on Wednesday, Delaware County Council Chair Richard Womack confirmed the task force’s return, emphasizing the importance of public participation. “We value the work that the community has done… We look forward to anyone who wants to sign up for it as well,” he stated.

The task force, originally conceptualized by Womack two years ago, successfully engaged over 60 community members in its inaugural session. Their efforts were divided into four key committees: Budget Presentation, Capital Investments, Cost Containment, and Revenue Enhancement. In November, they delivered a public presentation summarizing their findings and recommendations.

Barbara O’Malley, Delaware County’s Executive Director, urged residents to watch for invitations arriving in their mailboxes. “We will be reconvening that group and we’ll make sure the invitations go out before the next meeting,” she assured attendees.

The next council meeting is scheduled for March 18, 2023, marking a critical date for those interested in shaping the county’s financial future. O’Malley highlighted that this year’s focus will shift from education to actionable insights, as participants now have a clearer understanding of the county’s budgetary processes.

Among the key recommendations from the first task force was the establishment of a Budget 101 program, aimed at educating residents about taxation and budgeting. The task force will operate with a more unified approach this time, focusing on fewer committees to ensure deeper engagement and impactful recommendations.

O’Malley explained, “They have ideas, there’s kind of digging into a lot of the information that’s already out there. Now, they understand how to access it.” This is anticipated to lead to more productive discussions and actionable outcomes.

Residents interested in participating or seeking budget-related information can reach out via email at [email protected] or [email protected].

With the reconvening of the Budget Task Force, Delaware County is taking significant steps toward financial reform and community engagement. This is a developing story, and updates will follow as the new task force session gets underway. Stay tuned for further details.