Delco Council Faces Heat For Tax Hike Due To Reckless Spending — Delaware County Council, last night, Dec. 4, held the first reading of a budget for fiscal year 2025 that will raise taxes $184.69 for the average homeowner.
This is a 23.8 percent increase.
See charts below.
The average home is assessed at $255,108.10
Delco’s operating budget will be $321,355,826 which is an increase of $30,425,373 from this year, according to a presentation by county Executive Director Barbara O’Malley. The capital budget, which is financed mostly through bonds, is rising from $74,852,754 to $120,926,840.
The county’s total spending for 2025 will be $898.3 million an increase of about $10 million.
The operating budget, however, is what is funded through property taxes and that is what will hit the residents with immediacy.
Ms. O’Malley did note that county fees will rise as well.
A full house faced Council and was overwhelmingly against its spending plan. Of those speaking we counted 23 against with three — two of whom were Democrat municipal councilwomen — defending Council.
Kathy from Haverford asked Council if it ever got back the $500,000 it lost in a hacker attack. She also pointed out that Delco self-insures its employees including retirees. This means that the local taxpayer pays for their medical expenses, not insurance companies or federal programs. The Dems let the county be embroiled in lawsuits, she said. These include ones involvng sexual harassment and 2020 vote fraud allegations.
Delco had a $290 million surplus in its rainy day fund when the Dems took over in 2020, she said.
Councilwoman Christine Reuther’s claims the Dems started with a budget deficit. She nd the other council members say that and inflation as one of the reasons for the big tax hike.
So what is it?
Does it matter?
One woman asked why the Dems started expensive projects uch as creating a health department and a diversity, equity and inclusivity department, if there was a deficit.
Dave Galluch of Newtown, who warned in June about a big tax hike, said another is coming next year. It will be about 15 percent, he said. Ms. Reuther had dismissed his previous warning, he said.
Spending on county vehicles is up 800 percent, he said.
He said that Council created an expensive health department yet the local hospitals have crumbled.
He later expressed a wish to work with Council to keep more pain from happening.
Michael Straw of Media called out Council’s disingenuous reasons for the tax hike. He said that the Health Department, DEI Department and free yoga classes and a vending machine with condoms were all choices. None were mandates.
The county does not have to be paying $4.1 million legal fees, he said.
He said that while he likes green space, parkland has to take a back seat to bill paying.
“If it’s a trial versus rent, I pick rent,” he said.
Mary Ann from Drexel Hill wanted to know how those who live paycheck to paycheck are going to pay the new taxes.
She said evictions in the county are through the roof.
Kimberly of Media also spoke up for renters. She said the tax hike would crush them as landlords would just pass on the costs. Delco already has high rent, she said. She noted that 69 percent of county residents are renters.
A 24-year-old woman told Council that she has done all that society expects with regard to getting an education and a job but the taxes supported by Council are crushing her generation. She said she’d love to raise a family here but can’t afford it. She blasted Council’s spending decisions.
Mitch of Upper Darby said he is a new homeowner and taxes are up 30 percent over three years. He had not expected that when he purchased. Life is getting hard for him.
Rico (phonetic), who described himself as a contractor with experience on many major projects, challenged Council to give him a price on three yards of concrete. He said they were clueless about expenses. He also said the county was riff with corruption.
A woman whose husband has stage 4 cancer said the extra $184 expense is a crisis for them. If they lose their home they won’t be able to get another, she said. She said food banks are closing.
Nick Weston (phonetic) of Wallingford sneered at Council’s attempt to blame inflation for the hike. Nobody trusts them he said.
“Aren’t you supposed to be looking out for us?” he asked.
He said a hero is someone who balances the budget and doesn’t take money from the people.
Mike Hannigan (phonetic) said home ownership is going the way of the dinosaur. He said voters must participate in every election, not just the presidential one.
One woman said nasty things about the Republican Party and that she was not inclined to fight Council over the $184 tax hike, but her school taxes were up $1,500 and that was killing her.
Charlie Alexander of Marple said that Council’s goal was to end single family homes. He said Gov. Josh Shapiro was behind it along with major law firms. Alexander announced that he will be running for County Council.
A Concord woman, who described herself as a former controller, praised Ms. O’Malley’s presentation but noted she didn’t see a breakdown of costs for electronic voting machines. There are cheaper ways of running an election, she said. She also pointed out that the machines are vulnerable to hacking when they are upgraded.
Sharon Devaney of Haverford also brought up an election concern. Ms. Devaney is minority inspector in her township’s 6-2 precinct. Her poll pads could not be shut down when closing out the Nov. 5 election. She and her fellow workers contacted the election assistance hotline. The man with whom she was put in contact screamed at them. Put them away leaving them running, he said. She said she has contacted the election authorities about it — including Election Director James Allen — and has yet to receive an explanation.
Concerns regarding poll pads been expressed to Council for almost two years.
Kathy from Haverford said Delco was the last in the state to turn in provisional ballots despite claims from Councilwoman Reuther.
Councilwoman Elaine Paul Schaefer made an extraordinary tone-deaf motion to add money for parkland. It did not receive a second.
Richard R. Womack was the only councilmember who received significant praise during the four-hour meeting as he was the only one he appeared to exhibit sincere empathy.
He said he heard from many about the suffering the tax hike will cause and proposed a committee to address the problem.
Of course, how a committee will help those suffering is a thing to ponder.
Here’s a better idea: Vote against the budget Dec. 11. Demand an end to free yoga and condom vending machines and the DEI Department.
How about demand a new warden for the prison?
Here’s a link to a video of the meeting.
