Wilmington City Council passed the compromise budget plan announced earlier this week by Mayor Dennis P. Williams and City Council President Theo Gregory.
Thursday night’s vote on the deal was 8-5 for the budget.
"This compromise represents the strong efforts by my Administration and City Council to put forth a budget that is fiscally responsible, avoids layoffs and allows the City to provide key services to our citizens," said Mayor Williams in a statement following the vote. "Despite making significant cuts, this budget still allows us to work toward making our streets safer, our neighborhoods stronger and our children prepared for the future."
One of the “No” votes came from Councilman Bud Freel. He says a year and a half into Mayor Williams’ administration he can’t see what direction he is taking the city, and that’s reflected in the budget Freel feels could have been leaner.
“This budget both for one year and long-term to me is a big disappointment and the only way I can show my disappointment and dissatisfaction with it is by voting no this evening,” said Freel.
The compromise plan reduced a proposed property tax increase from 9.9 to 5 percent and a proposed water/sewer fee increase from 8 to 5 percent.
Councilman Samuel Prado vote for the budget, but raised concerns about using taxes to balanced the budget rather than shrinking the size of city government.
"“We need to scale back and every year we need to cut positions and reduce the workforce. We just cannot sustain the way things are going right now," said Prado. "We can’t keep taxing. All you have to do is look up the river. You’ve got two failed cities, Camden and Chester – and that’s our fate if we think we can just tax everything”
The deal also includes $794,000 thousand dollars in spending cuts - including eliminating four currently vacant positions, but adds $353,000 to fund a one-time police academy to fill vacant police officer positions.
It also results in a lower than expected surplus for the year. The compromise FY 2015 budget projects a $1.4 million surplus, down from $2.75 million.
