Council adopts $1.03 million fleet appropriation amid heated debate over decorum

New Castle County Council on March 24 adopted Ordinance 26‑023 to appropriate $1,031,000 in federal funding for the FY2026 fleet equipment capital program, funding the purchase of 11 additional police vehicles.

The ordinance was introduced by Councilman Kaneko, who told the council the appropriation comes from the Commerce‑Justice‑Science Appropriations Act of 2026 and is earmarked to Department of Public Works fleet equipment for police vehicle purchases.

The meeting’s consideration of the ordinance was disrupted by a heated dispute over decorum and alleged unequal treatment of council members. One council member repeatedly said he would not accept what he described as a double standard applied to a Black councilwoman; other members responded that comments and interruptions were unacceptable and cited council rules requiring professional conduct. Council President Monique Williams Johns read portions of the council’s conduct rules and members moved to call the matter to order and close further debate on the procedural dispute before resuming the ordinance.

After that exchange the council closed public input, the clerk conducted a roll‑call vote and the ordinance passed. The roll call recorded 11 votes in favor, one member not voting and one absent; the clerk announced the tally and the ordinance was adopted.

Council members who spoke during the debate framed the issue differently: supporters emphasized the federal funding and the departmental recommendation to purchase vehicles; dissenting remarks focused on procedural fairness and decorum in council meetings. No public testimony was taken on the ordinance during the vote.

The council’s action directs the appropriation to the Fleet Equipment 2026 capital project; staff will administer procurement through the Department of Public Works. The ordinance takes effect as provided by county procedures and the council did not set a separate implementation date during the meeting.