Interim leaders of the Powell Police Athletic League told the New Castle County Public Safety Committee on Oct. 14 that PAL centers at Garfield Park and Delaware City have reopened, attendance has increased sharply and the organization is operating while county staff and police provide financial oversight. They said a pending audit of ARPA funds will determine whether the organization can attract a permanent executive director and board leadership.

"It was a shake up of the board. I currently serve as the interim chairperson of the board of the Powell," Chief Jamie Leonard told council members. Leonard said the department and interim staff secured this year's grant‑in‑aid payment and are working through an ARPA audit concerning capital projects funded by ARPA. "We're waiting on a determination from the state's ARPA director," he said, and added the county's contracted ARPA auditor, BDO, is expected to provide a determination within about a month.

Leonard told council the unresolved ARPA issue could create a significant liability for the Powell. "With the potential applicant, we have to clear up the ARPA issue, because . . . the potential exists for that to be a very cumbersome liability that will be placed on the Powell in excess of probably $6,700,000," he said.

Lieutenant Angela Dolan, serving as the interim executive director at Powell centers, described program activity and attendance. "Last week, we hit a 100 students every day that they were open," Dolan said of Garfield Park; she said some days reached about 120 during a recent basketball tournament. The PAL has restarted fall sports leagues, clinics and STEM, arts and girls' empowerment programming and is working to expand concession and rental revenue to support operations.

Council members pressed for additional details about the audit timeline and staffing. Leonard said the county and the Powell are relying on a contracted CPA to assist with accounting and to finalize audits, and reiterated that BDO is working expeditiously. Councilman Jay Street, among others, praised the interim leadership but urged continued attention to replacing capital and program equipment damaged by vandalism in specific neighborhoods.

The committee did not take formal action; representatives said next steps hinge on the ARPA auditor's findings and on whether the county will advertise for a permanent executive director once liability questions are resolved.