new castle county government

New Castle County Councilmember Brandon Toole joined more than 30 community members Monday evening to discuss the need for more safety measures in the area.

Council approved millions of dollars of federal funding be allocated to housing efforts.

All New Castle County libraries will close Sundays in July and August.

Several residents raised concerns over the potential changes even though Councilmembers voted to table the ordinance for now.

The 17.2% take hike will add $102 per year, or about $8.50 monthly for those living in the median $378,000 assessed value home in the county.

The money will fund renovation of 41 third-floor units at the Hope Center and acquisition of nine tax parcels near the Route 9 Library.

County Executive Marcus Henry said the county relied on temporary pandemic emergency funds and reserves to pay for permanent operating costs the past few years.

New Castle County entered a contract with Veteran Services CEO Joseph M. Walls, supporting an effort to create affordable transitional housing for veterans and unhoused people in Bear.

Henry laid out a gloomy fiscal landscape, detailing a deficit exceeding $36 million in the upcoming fiscal year — and a 17.2% tax hike and spending cuts needed to fill it.

Even the ordinance's most vocal opponents ended up voting in favor.