Delaware County property owners will be looking at a 23 percent increase in their 2025 county taxes, about $185 more for the average property owner, writes Katie Bernard for The Philadelphia Inquirer.

The Delaware County tax increase was approved 4-1 at a Dec. 11 Delaware County Council meeting.

The tax rise was necessary, council members said, because federal COVID funds have run out and the increase is needed to maintain county services.

The news did not sit well. Dozens of residents at the meeting accused council of financial mismanagement.

“You’re reaching into the pocket of the hardworking people of this county,” said resident Daniel Murphy. “They’re trying to figure out how to pay for your budget while you guys are spending like it doesn’t matter.”

Much of the increase in the county’s overall budget comes from salary increases for public employees, key to maintaining a workforce in a competitive environment, councilmembers said.

Council Chair Dr. Monica Taylor said the county will create a commission to study next year’s budget, and that a program would be created allowing residents to defer the tax increase while offering tax rebates to first responders.

Read more about the Delaware County tax increase and responses to it in The Philadelphia Inquirer.