No Tax Increase In 2023 Proposed Delaware County Budget

DELAWARE COUNTY, PA — The proposed 2023 Delaware County budget does not include new tax increases, according to officials.

The Delaware County Council will officially propose the budget at 6 p.m. Wednesday next week during its public meeting.

A public hearing regarding the budget will be held at 10 a.m. on Thursday in the County Council Public Meeting Room.

Final adoption is slated for 6 p.m. at the council's public meeting on Dec. 14.

As it stands, the proposed budget does not feature new tax increases.

Should it pass as is, it would mark the third consecutive budget with no new taxes.

According to the county, the budget includes investments in the county's post-COVID future.

"With this year’s budget, Council is keeping the commitment it made when a new majority took office in January 2020: to be careful stewards of taxpayer money while making important, and long-overdue, changes to how the County operates and invests in its residents’ future," said Council Chair Dr. Monica Taylor. "I am extremely proud that this year’s budget proposal not only holds the line on taxes for the third straight year, but it makes unprecedented investments in its infrastructure, operations, and services it provides to residents and workers."

The 2023 highlights according to the county include:

• A new "no wrong door" program which will dramatically improve the county’s ability to provide necessary services to residents no matter how or where they come into contact with government. Beginning with the County Health Department, visitors can obtain assistance and services from the County 24-hours a day through a central hub "Wellness Line.”
• The launch of a "Zero Waste" program, which will completely transform the county's approach to handling waste. Not only will "Zero Waste" create new economic opportunities, but it will put Delaware County at the forefront of communities taking action to protect their natural resources.
• The creation of a new landbank that will allow the county to reinvest in and revive underutilized and abandoned properties, allowing for affordable housing, new commercial development, and additional greenspace.
• Continued transformation of the county's HR system to focus on building career paths for new workers by increasing training, benefits, and pay to attract and retain highly qualified County employees.
• Remaining committed to being a careful steward of taxpayer resources by moving toward a "zero- based budgeting" model for certain government agencies.

The 2023 proposed budget will be posted online after the public hearing on Thursday so any changes would be incorporated.