New Castle County Executive Matt Meyer on Tuesday announced the details of his 2020 budget. The budget increased by $9.5 million to $377 million from last year.
"The biggest changes are $4.5 million of additional debt service and $3.14 million of additional personnel cost," Meyer said in his address.
Most of the additional personnel cost will go to an increased pension contribution.
"The $9.2 million of budget growth would be even greater, if not for $2 million of health care savings, savings we realized thanks to the great work of our human resources staff and collaboration with our union leadership," Meyer said. "We did so without any change to the quality of health benefits to our fine employees."
Meyer doubled down on his administration's commitment to fiscal sustainability while investing in core services.
"Last year we announced our Jobs Now job initiative that streamlined our land use processes to support local jobs," he said. "As I stand here tonight the projects in our Jobs Now pipeline will support 9,280 jobs "“ that represents a lot of future career opportunities for a county of 560,000 residents."
Meyer touted his administration's commitment to public safety, improved public service and government efficiency, including collecting record delinquent taxes; supporting 9,280 jobs through the county's JobsNow initiative; cultivating training and resources for dozens of local job creators through the NCCinnovates entrepreneurship program; and reducing vacant properties by 30% and collected $1 million in taxes and fees through the Vacant Spaces to Livable Places initiative.
The proposed capital budget supports a variety of maintenance needs, safety programs and service improvements, including:
- The Public Safety vest protection program;
- Design and construction of the new Southern regional library;
- Pedestrian safety improvements along the Route 9 corridor;
- Countywide park enhancements, including renovations and utility upgrades at Surratte Pool, Delcastle
- Park bleachers and Jester Park walking path, and:
- Sewer improvement projects across the county to reduce sewer overflows, increase capacity and expand service
