New Castle County Council approves legal assistant position after heated debate

New Castle County Council approved Ordinance 25-093 on July 8, 2025, to amend the pay plan for nonunion, unclassified service employees and to create the class specification described in the ordinance as "legal assistant to counsel to council." The ordinance passed by roll call with 11 members voting yes, 1 no and 1 member absent.

Council members debated the measure at length after it was read into the record and discussed in personnel and finance committee meetings earlier in the day. Councilwoman Kilpatrick and Councilwoman George brought the ordinance forward; Councilwoman George moved that it be placed before council for consideration and adoption.

Councilman Street spoke forcefully in opposition, saying he could not support restoring a position that had previously been eliminated. "Out of all the votes in the last 21 years ... The one vote I wish I could take back is a vote to eliminate this position ... it was rotten," Councilman Street said. He also raised concerns about equity in hiring, stating, "no minority person's gonna be considered for this, you watch."

Other council members argued the position is needed to improve the efficiency of the council's work. Councilman Kaneko said the legal assistant would help the body "operate more efficiently" given the volume of legislation and work before members. Several council members noted the position had been discussed in personnel and finance committee meetings prior to the full-council vote.

On the roll call, the vote was 11 yes, 1 no (Councilman Street) and 1 absent. The motion to adopt Ordinance 25-093 therefore carried. The ordinance text as read refers to amendments to the pay plan and creation of the stated class specification; implementation details and hiring timelines were not detailed on the record at the July 8 meeting.