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Votes at a glance: New Castle County Council meeting of May 27, 2025 — key actions and outcomes
Summary
Council adopted multiple budget and program ordinances and resolutions, tabled several revenue and budget ordinances for June 10, and tabled an appropriation for a $3 million fire-service contingency. Many items passed unanimously; a notable contested vote was R25-097 requesting a change to how the council president is elected (11-2).
New Castle County Council completed a packed agenda on May 27, adopting a series of resolutions and ordinances, tabling several budget items and one contingency appropriation, and approving routine appointments and proclamations. Most fiscal and grant-related ordinances were approved by unanimous roll call votes. The meeting also included several public comments on county projects and permit issues.
Highlights and outcomes
- Consent calendar and appointments: The council approved the consent calendar (which included resolutions congratulating Eagle Scout Matthew Alekel and a Juneteenth proclamation, and consenting to appointments/reappointments to the Fire & Ambulance Advisory Board) by roll call (13 yes). Individual resolutions listed on the consent calendar were read into the record and adopted as part of the package.
- Resolution R25-093 (Recognizing overseer Helena Kramer) — adopted by roll call (13 yes).
- Resolution R25-096 (revised class specification for senior network engineer) — adopted by roll call (13 yes).
- Resolution R25-099 (calling for strong partnership with the Delaware General Assembly in support of local governance) — adopted by roll call (13 yes).
- Ordinances tabled to June 10: Substitute #1 to Ordinance 25-048 (annual revenue and rollback tax rate), Ordinance 25-049 (sewer service charge calculation), Ordinance 25-050 (general obligation bonds authorization), Ordinance 25-051 (capital budget ordinance), and Ordinance 25-052 (annual operating budget). Councilman Smiley requested these items be tabled to the June 10 finance meeting; motion carried.
- Ordinance 25-053 (appropriating $3,000,000 to the general fund tax stabilization reserve for a one-time fire service contingency) — motion to table was made and approved at the meeting (item TABLED). No roll-call tally was recorded in the transcript excerpt.
- Multiple community-services and grant ordinances (read and adopted by roll call 13-0): - Ordinance 25-054: Recorder of Deeds technology fee appropriation to update website videos — adopted (roll reveals 13 yes). - Ordinance 25-055: Appropriate $13,853.99 program income to the Remediating Vacancies Making Progress (REVMAP) grant — adopted (13 yes). - Ordinance 25-056: Realign $317,256.47 in FY2024 Community Development Block Grant funds — adopted (13 yes). - Ordinance 25-057: Realign $139,000 in CDBG FY2025 funds — adopted (13 yes). - Ordinance 25-058: Appropriation for the year-round youth employment grant from State DOL funds — adopted (13 yes). - Ordinance 25-059: Appropriation for the 2025 summer youth employment grant — adopted (13 yes). - Ordinance 25-060: Appropriate an additional $450,000 federal CDBG funds passed through from Wilmington for lead-based paint hazard reduction — adopted (13 yes). - Ordinance 25-061: Realign $141,310.49 in CDBG FY2022 funds — adopted (13 yes).
- Building code ordinance 25-062 (automatic fire-sprinkler systems for model homes) — adopted unanimously (13-0). See separate story for details and sponsor comments.
- Other ordinances introduced (titles/read into the record): 25-063 (amend UDC use regulations regarding adult day care facilities), 25-064 and 25-067 (installation of LED streetlights in Brandywine Country Club and Penfield subdivisions and related light taxes), 25-065 (realign $750,000 HUD HOME/ARPA grant funds), 25-066 (transfer funding to support a senior emergency food voucher program), 25-068 (senior home repair grant appropriation), 25-069 (Emergency Housing Hope Center appropriation), 25-070 (reduce grants and fixed charges to provide funding for county grants), 25-071 (add electronic speed monitoring system to county traffic code), and 25-072 (amend property-tax exemption qualifications for elderly, disability, and disabled-veteran school tax exemptions). Several of these appeared on the consent calendar or were read into the record; votes and final dispositions for each are recorded in committee minutes or later agenda items if not resolved in this excerpt.
What residents raised in public comment
- Several residents urged broader public engagement on R25-097 and asked the council to delay or table the measure so constituents could be notified and consulted.
- A resident and community leader raised concerns about a neighborhood playground and basketball court project in Rosegate, saying recent work removed basketball courts and playground equipment and created safety and programming problems. Council members said they would pursue the issue with the administration and the county executive’s office.
- A licensed HVAC contractor said his ability to pull building permits had been suspended because of expired permits tied to general contractors’ permits; he said the suspensions disrupted his business and asked for guidance on next steps.
Why it matters: The meeting covered routine budget and grant housekeeping as well as a number of policy items that affect county services, public safety, infrastructure, and governance. Several items passed unanimously; a few items were tabled for further review or referral to committee.
Where to find more: Full roll-call votes and ordinance texts are available in the official meeting minutes and packet posted by New Castle County.
