County Executive Tom Gordon presented his proposed, $254.6 million 2015 fiscal year budget that includes a modest, 2.34 percent raise in expenditures and no tax increase.
“We are pleased to announce that tonight we are making history,” County Executive Gordon said in his speech. “This will be my 10th year in office, and my 10th budget presentation to the taxpayers of New Castle County, and my 10th proposal for no tax increase.
County Executive Gordon touted the fact that his administration would erase a projected $2 million deficit for the 2014 fiscal year and would in fact end the year with an $8 million surplus – a $10 million swing in the County’s favor. He thanked County Council for their help this past year in financial stewardship of County assets.
“Both County Council and the Executive branch have worked hard to accomplish these outstanding financial figures,” he said. “All of the hours that council members spend scrutinizing and debating budget items guide and assist the execution of our efficient operations.”
The Executive also thanked Council for its support in ensuring the Department of Public Safety was at full strength for the first time in a decade and for the Division of Police’s groundbreaking use of the Targeted Analytic Policing System (T.A.P.S.) This state-of-the-art technology helped the Police reduce crime by more than 10 percent in New Castle County.
County Executive Gordon also thanked Council for its support in updating the County website, spearheaded by Chief Administrative Officer David Grimaldi, and for allocating $300,000 to help the Department of Land Use with its ongoing overhaul. For 2015, the Executive called for an additional $400,000 to revise the Unified Development Code.
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