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Council adopts transparency and public-comment measures; asks state to review Delmarva charges
Summary
Council passed multiple resolutions expanding access to committee materials and public comment sign-ups and urged the Delaware General Assembly to review Delmarva Electric billing practices and third-party vendor regulation.
Wilmington City Council approved a set of resolutions intended to increase transparency and public access to legislative materials and committee sign-ups, and separately urged state action on utility billing practices related to Delmarva Electric.
Council adopted Resolution 25-021 to require draft legislation, presentations and updates to be available to the public before committee meetings (with emergency exceptions). The resolution’s sponsor said the change aims to allow part-time council members and the public to prepare for committee deliberations.
Council also considered a related rule-change (Resolution 25-022) to reinstate a pilot practice of allowing public comment on each legislative item as it is considered. An amendment to the rule that narrowed speaking slots failed to reach the threshold required for a rules change; the main resolution did not pass the stricter amendment. A separate measure, Resolution 25-023, was adopted to permit meeting agendas to include sign-up links for those wishing to give public comment and to remove residency-only limits on who may speak during public comment.
On utilities, the council adopted Resolution 25-025 urging the state legislature to consider a temporary moratorium on residential electric shutoffs and late fees and to review affordability measures for Delmarva customers after a wave of higher bills. The council also passed Resolution 25-026 requesting a findings-and-recommendations assessment of regulation for third-party electricity vendors; the sponsor cited cases where third-party contracts initially offered low rates and then produced much higher bills for consumers.
Council members said the transparency measures will make it easier for residents and part-time council members to engage meaningfully in committee work. Resolutions asking the General Assembly to act on utility bills were described as support for state-level initiatives already in motion; sponsors said they coordinate with state legislators who are reviewing related proposals.
