New Castle County’s $284 million budget for 2018 was approved Tuesday night.
County Executive Matt Meyer says he remains committed to finding cost savings – with a projected $13 million budget deficit expected next year – and with state funding levels still unknown.
However, he says he asked County Council not to support Council President Karen Hartley-Nagle’s proposal to eliminate 89 vacant positions totaling $5 million.
“I know – from my experience – that when you cut, when you reduce spending, you want to do so with surgical tools," Meyer said. "You don’t want to do so with a machete."
Meyer says all positions need to be reviewed before elimination is considered.
He said a review of those vacancies is underway.