Delaware County council votes to put $120 million green‑space bond question before voters

Delaware County Council voted July 15 to place a question on the Nov. 3, 2026 general-election ballot asking voters whether the county should be authorized to incur up to $120 million in electoral debt to fund parks, greenways, flood-control projects and land conservation.

Vice Chair Ruth moved the resolution and framed it as a voter decision rather than an immediate borrowing: "It is an action of counsel to place on the ballot a question to our residents whether the voters of Delaware County want to do this or not," she said. Supporters argued the authority would let the county use long-term financing in tranches, match state and federal grants, and revive the county's green‑grant programs.

Speakers during public comment were sharply divided. Eric Tamielones, a parks advocate, told council the bond "will cost only $24 a year for average households" and urged voters to authorize the county to act; opponents warned that borrowing authority could lead to higher future taxes and criticized the proposal as insufficiently specific. The council acknowledged those concerns in debate but said the resolution only asks voters whether to authorize the debt and that any borrowing would require later council action and analysis.

Chairman Womack and other council members emphasized procedural safeguards and stated that past property decisions (including the county-owned Don Guanella property) are separate matters. The motion to place the question on the ballot passed by voice vote; the transcript records ayes and no recorded roll-call tallies. The county will publish the full resolution and ballot language ahead of the election.