Land Use chief says department trimmed staff but plans technology and SPUR changes to handle $42M shortfall

Summary

Land Use General Manager Dave Culver told New Castle County Council that the department is operating under a $42 million structural deficit, has deferred several positions and will use technology and the county’s SPUR planning initiative to keep permitting and redevelopment moving while protecting core services.

Dave Culver, general manager of New Castle County’s Department of Land Use, told county council members at an FY27 budget hearing that the department is working under a countywide $42,000,000 structural deficit that forced “difficult decisions across every department.” Culver said Land Use deferred funding for several positions and is relying on efficiencies and new tools to maintain service levels.

“Every GM made the tough choices about what to protect and what to defer,” Culver said, adding the department is “stretching our staff further and asking them to find efficiencies” while moving ahead with initiatives to support housing and economic development.

Culver described the county executive’s SPUR initiative — a package the county intends to use to streamline planning and speed reviews for…

Land Use chief says department trimmed staff but plans technology and SPUR changes to handle $42M shortfall

Summary

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