Finance Committee approves minutes, schedules special meeting and funds dozens of community grants

The New Castle County Finance Committee took a series of procedural and funding votes on July 22. On voice vote the committee approved the July 8 minutes. The committee also approved a motion, under council rule 7.10.2, to schedule a special council meeting for Tuesday, Aug. 5, 2025 at 3 p.m. to consider ordinance 25-099 (as introduced) and any associated resolution; the motion passed unanimously on a roll call showing 13 present and voting yes.

The committee considered and voted on a large group of community grant requests (motions, seconds and voice votes recorded). Highlights of approved funding (motion maker in parentheses where recorded):

- Kappa Mainstream Leadership Inc.: $1,000 (motion: Councilman Street) — approved. - Belvedere/Cedar Heights Community Day (Belvidere Civic Association): amended to $1,500 (motion: Councilman Toole; amendment by Councilman Street) — approved. - Towers of Valley Run (dryer vent and railing repairs): $2,500 (motion: Councilman Cartier) — approved. - Clayton Place (shrub removal): $575 (motion: Councilman Cartier) — approved. - Bellevue Farms freeze dryer: $2,400 (motion: Councilman Cartier) — approved. - Webster Farms median beautification: $2,000 (motion: Councilman Cartier) — approved. - Tomorrow's Change (counseling services): $2,500 (motion: Councilman Cartier) — approved. - Hilltop Manor Association maintenance: $1,700 (motion: Councilman Cartier) — approved. - Project Newstart (reentry program): $2,500 (motion: Council President Johns; amended and seconded) — approved. - Rodney Street Tennis and Tutoring Association: $1,000 (motion: Council President Johns) — approved. - Stop the Violence Pray Chain Foundation: $750 (motion: Council President Johns) — approved. - Becoming Esther (youth mentorship): $750 (motion: Council President Johns) — approved. - Cityfest (Mill Creek summer concert): $1,000 (motion: Council President Johns) — approved. - Emerge Wellness Center: $1,500 (motion: Council President Johns) — approved. - United Way of Delaware (New Castle County Hope Center summer program): total $5,000 after amendment (motion: Council President Johns; amendment moved by another member) — approved. - American Cancer Society Relay for Life (Middletown): $3,000 (motion and second recorded; conditional on documentation) — approved. - Holloway Terrace: $1,000 (motion: Councilman Street) — approved. - Girls Inc. of Delaware: $2,000 (motion: Council President Johns) — approved.

(Additional grant awards were moved and approved during the meeting; the list above reflects items listed on the Finance Committee agenda and recorded motions in the transcript.)

Ending: Committee members voted by voice for each award; most motions carried with “ayes” and no recorded oppositions. Several awards were amended upward by fellow members before final approval. The committee adjourned to allow the full council meeting to begin.