New Castle County Executive Matt Meyer applauds passage of FY2023 budget; no tax increases or fees

NEW CASTLE - New Castle County Executive Matt Meyer saw his proposed $319m FY2023 budget passed unanimously 12-0 this evening. County Executive Meyer delivered his proposed Fiscal Year 2023 budget to Council remotely from the newly constructed AppoquiniminkLibrary in Middletown, DE on Tuesday March 22^nd. The FY23 budget address can be viewed here.

The FY23 budget will include no new County fees or taxes for 2023.

"We are thrilled of the passing of the FY2023 budget," said County Executive Meyer. "Today we see the pressures of inflation, of rising costs and gas prices. We are not immune to these increased costs and pressures amidst demands for increased services in your Countygovernment.We are very appreciative of the hard work by New Castle County Council, to the general managers, county employees and to everyone who makes this a successful process to deliver a budget with no new tax increase."

"Budgets are a balance between obligations and amenities," Third District Councilwoman Janet Kilpatrick said. "Some amenities, such as improved parks and more land preservation are somethings that we can, anddid, all agree on. I look forward to working with the Council and Executive office on achieving these goals in the coming year."

"I am proud to be a part of a government that works so hard to maintain fiscal responsibility while addressing the needs of those that have chosen to live in New Castle County," budget co-chair Councilman George Smiley said.

Highlights of the approved budget include more pickleball courts, including eight to be added in Glasgow Park this year, upgraded playground equipment, with an increase in the number of play structures being replaced each year, and the repaving of pathways, including the heavily used DelcastlePark perimeter pathway.

New Castle County will also increase emphasis on land preservation, with $2.5 million allocated to protecting open space.

Another critical component of the 2023 budget is the inclusion of the County's new paid family leave policy which will offer 12 weeks of paid parental leave to employees starting in the new fiscal year, which will help recruit and retain a 21^stcentury workforce.

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