Delaware County Council voted to approve the 2019 budget during its public council meeting Wednesday night.

After months of budget meetings and a public budget hearing, council approved a 2019 budget that decreases property taxes, while maintaining services for county residents. Council approved a general fund budget of $354,877,000 for 2019.

The county has successfully built up a reserve balance of more than $53 million heading into 2019.

Chairman John McBlain proposed and council unanimously approved the motion to use $4.3 million from the unassigned fund balance to decrease property taxes for 2019 in the form of a tax rate reduction of 2.55 percent for 2019. Council pledged to continue working to find further opportunities to cut spending, generate non-tax revenue, and maintain this reduced tax rate going forward.

“Very good budget management, sound fiscal policies, and the continued economic expansion in Delaware County have enabled us to adopt a budget where we reduce real estate taxes by 2.55 percent while also continuing to provide our residents with vital services and resources,” said McBlain.

The 2019 budget reduces expenses by almost $2.2 million overall. The economic increase in Delco grew the county’s tax base by $228.5 million, which raised an additional $1.25 million in revenue.

“The county has increased its reserves over the past several years though increased revenues in areas such as 911 and Fair Acres and decreased its spending through rigorous budget oversight by both the county and courts,” said Delaware County Executive Director Marianne Grace. “My office was pleased to deliver a budget that gives council this opportunity to provide tax payer relief.”

Council also discussed conducting a thorough study of the wage and benefits packages of county employees. Council discussed working to increase the overall compensation for county employees to be more competitive in order to attract and retain a skilled and qualified workforce who can best serve the residents of Delaware County.

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