- A 5% tax credit to New Castle County homeowners coming next year
- Investments in existing parks and new park projects
- Funds for filling hiring vacancies in police and EMS sectors, and a new vehicle operations course
- $1 million toward a new indoor track facility
The New Castle County Council passed County Executive Matt Meyer’s budget for the 2024 fiscal year, with investments in parks and a tax credit for homeowners.
The approved $331,422,408 budget is just under a 4% increase from the current fiscal year. The capital budget totals $75,098,163, including general and sewer fund projects.
Meyer is expected to sign the budget into law in the coming days.
Here are some highlights of the budget.
More:Hiring woes, bike trails, run for governor. A talk with New Castle County Exec Matt Meyer.
5% tax credit for homeowners
New Castle County homeowners will see a slight reduction in their county taxes next year.
According to Meyer, the county has increased its tax reserves by 400% over the past six years. In the face of historic inflation, the reserve will be given back to taxpayers.
The average New Castle County tax bill is around $650 annually, meaning next year homeowners will see a reduction of around $32.50.
“We understand times are tough,” Meyer said. “What I hear from people is that everything from eggs to milk to housing costs more than it’s ever cost before, and wages for many families across the county are not keeping pace. So we wanted to give this one-time adjustment.”
Investments in parks
Next year’s budget also included investments in parks across the county including adding 25 new pickleball courts, adding a second turf field to Banning Park and refurbishing older facilities.
Enhancements to Bechtel Park, Brandywine Springs Park and Carousel Park are budgeted for next year as well as $3.6 million to upgrade Delcastle Recreational Park’s walking paths and softball fields.
More:A guide to New Castle County Parks and what’s new.
Tens of millions are going toward the planning, design and construction of new parks in the county. Included in these plans are a park in Red Lion, parkland on Bethel Church Road, completion of the Commons Boulevard pathway connector and Southern Regional Park.
Aging playground equipment will also be replaced in Powell Ford, Willow Run, Rutledge, Surratte, River Road and Woodland Run Parks.
Funding two new libraries
A budget and timeline have been set for a $44.4 million Newark Library project.
It will include the demolition of the current Newark Library and the design and construction of a new 40,000-square-foot building. The anticipated completion of the library is slated for fall 2026.
An additional $30.57 million is set aside for the construction of another 40,000-square-foot Route 9 community library.
The budget also allocates funds for supporting the county’s libraries with programs and services to support community needs and expanding collaboration between schools and local libraries.
Public safety and affordable housing
Community development and housing saw a budget increase of over 150% for next year, as affordable housing woes increase statewide.
Planning and expanding Wilmington’s Hope Center’s operations as well as managing and funding prospective housing projects to assist lower-income households is included in the budget.
Also included is the rollout of the lead Hazard Reduction Program, which will provide lead remediation to housing units, prioritizing households with children.
More:‘Minutes truly count’: Why Delaware paramedics now carry blood for trauma patients
Hiring in the public safety sector has been a concern for Meyer and New Castle County. Both police and emergency medical services should see a bump in funding of around 5% and 10%, respectively, to fill vacancies within each division.
Millions will go toward new equipment for police and EMS workers, and new paramedic stations will be designed.
A $12.7 million influx will go toward a new emergency vehicle operations course for statewide public safety officers to be trained in driving safely. Phase one of this project is expected to be completed this fall.
Other projects in the works
In addition to the boosts in parks, libraries and community services, the budget for 2024 also allocates money for new and continued projects around the county.
- $1 million toward an indoor track facility
- $500,000 toward the Delaware Natural History Museum
- $30,000 funding a Hockessin Colored School documentary
- $15 million into the county’s property reassessment
Contact Molly McVety at mmcvety@delawareonline.com. Follow her on Twitter @mollymcvety.
