Delaware

Delaware County Council greenlights 23% property tax hike

Published

1 year ago

December 12, 2024

Delaware County Council greenlights 23% property tax hike

‘Have you lost your minds?’: Proposed Delco tax hike meets fierce resistance at council meeting

During the public hearing, community members urged elected officials to find another way to fill the county coffers and avoid fiscal issues.

Kim Rankin, of Newtown Township, said the modern-day cost of living will make any tax hike hard to handle. She asked council to consider what an increase will mean for lower middle-class households like hers.

“I’m fighting every day to pay my bills and I can’t afford anymore,” Rankin said.

Nicholas Gualberti, of Springfield Township, said he understood taxes are a “necessary evil” but he wondered if there was a potential compromise that could lessen the impact on working-class Delco residents, especially younger people who cannot afford homes.

“It’s mind-blowing,” he said. “It’s discouraging to me as a young person because I make good money and it’s not the point. But it’s disheartening for all the younger people who want to keep Delaware County going and remain in Delaware County and work in Delaware County and take part in the traditions. Why would I stay here?”

Michael Straw, of Media, urged elected officials to make cuts to the budget.

“I want to raise a family here but I can’t do that if you’re going to burden us all with more costs for a ballooning government that can’t live within its means,” Straw said.

People took turns demanding answers from council members and accused the process of being devoid of transparency.

“Have you lost your minds?” Daniel Murphy, of Newtown Square, asked.

Democrats wrested majority control of Delaware County Council in 2019 for the first time since the Civil War. The new majority shepherded the creation of the county health department, the deprivatization of the George W. Hill Correctional Facility and the establishment of various new programs and initiatives.

Delco was previously the largest county in the country without its own health department.

One meeting attendee used his time on the floor to applaud the council’s approach to governing, which differed from the GOP administrations of years past.

“I support this council and all of the programs I’ve heard you propose and implement over the last several years,” Mike Hoppus, of Upper Providence said. “You’ve been very transparent. These same people that are complaining about these taxes, were not here when you talked about the health department. They probably weren’t here when you talked about green space. They probably weren’t here when you talked about why we need a public prison.”

But many slammed the changes as a symbol of overspending and mismanagement. Some saw the tax hike as a broader rebuke of the party’s relatively new reign.

“The reality is this council has chosen to dramatically increase the size of government without a common sense plan to fund it,” said Frank Agovino, chair of the Delaware County Republican Party. “In short, whether you like it or not, this is your government now, in its entirety. And to say anything less insults the intelligence of voters.”

Solutions? Delco will establish budgetary commission

Marc Luca, president of Aqua Pennsylvania, said during public comment that Delco should reconsider the company’s offer to purchase the Delaware County Regional Water Quality Control Authority (DELCORA).

In 2019, the then-GOP-controlled wastewater authority initiated efforts to sell the system to Aqua — the same year that Democrats moved to take control of the County Council. The parties agreed to a $276.5 million agreement.

The new council majority almost immediately moved to stop the sale.

“Aqua and DELCORA already have an agreement of sale which will resolve the need for a tax increase, while reducing the annual DELCORA rate increase. We see it as a win-win,” Luca said.

Madden immediately threw water on the proposal as a “devil’s bargain.” Reuther balked at the idea of Aqua taking control of the wastewater system. She said as an Aqua customer herself, she’s seen her water bill rise 400%.

“DELCORA is not the problem here,” Reuther said. “The problem is a structural problem.”

Taylor said the county will establish a budget commission going into next year’s cycle.

“This commission will be focused on creating revenue enhancements, developing cost containment measures and reviewing our budget documentation for clarity, consistency, transparency and ease of use for our residents,” Taylor said.

The process to apply will be available in January.

Taylor said Delco is developing a real estate tax deferral program as well as a first responder tax rebate program.

“We have heard your calls to keep Delco a place where families can buy a house and raise a family,” Taylor said. “We want that too. We are going to leave this county with a stable and balanced budget, quality services, bridges, parks and trails to be proud of, and an experienced workforce that cares. It is not easy work in these difficult financial times, but with your help, we can achieve it.”

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Delaware

Delaware County school employee accused of sex assault of minor in Texas

Published

11 hours ago

February 27, 2026

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Delaware County school employee accused of sex assault of minor in Texas

RADNOR, Pa. – Authorities say a Delaware County school employee is accused of traveling to Texas to sexually assault a minor he met online.

What we know:

Michael Robinson, 43, was taken into custody near Radnor Middle School where investigators say he worked as a paraprofessional.

Investigators believe Robinson traveled to Tyler, Texas in the summer of 2024 to meet a minor he had connected with online.

Robinson, according to U.S. Marshals, allegedly sexually assaulted the teen over the course of a weekend.

Delaware County school employee accused of sex assault of minor in Texas

Prosecutors in Smith County, Texas charged Robinson in December with Aggravated Sexual Assault of a Child Under 15-years-old.

Robinson is being held at a Delaware County jail where he is awaiting extradition to Texas.

What they’re saying:

U.S. Marshals in Pennsylvania said Robinson’s arrest shows that “sexual predators will always be pursued relentlessly.”

The Radnor Township School District said Robinson has been placed on leave and will not have contact with students.

“Parents of the limited number of children to whom the employee was assigned were contacted by the administration immediately.”

The district said it is cooperating with law enforcement and has “no information indicating misconduct involving district students.”

Crime & Public SafetyDelaware CountyNews

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Delaware

Rehoboth cancels 2026 Polar Bear Plunge after major snowstorm

Published

23 hours ago

February 26, 2026

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Rehoboth cancels 2026 Polar Bear Plunge after major snowstorm

Rehoboth Beach has canceled the upcoming 2026 Lewes Polar Bear Plunge and 5K Run to the Plunge as the Sussex County resort town continues dealing with the aftermath of last weekend’s snowstorm, organizers of the annual Special Olympics fundraiser said on Feb. 26.

“Rehoboth Beach is navigating significant challenges because of the snowstorm,” a Special Olympics Delaware email announced. “At present, the boardwalk and all beach crossings remain snow covered and many sidewalks throughout downtown Rehoboth are as well.”

The plunge and 5K had been rescheduled to March 1 after severe weather conditions in late January caused it to be moved from its original Feb. 1 date.

The plunge will not be rescheduled for this year.

Last weekend’s storm brought nearly 2 feet of snow to parts of Sussex, closing hundreds of roads when trees and wires were downed. There were also power outages across the county, including Rehoboth Beach which had to restore power to its wastewater treatment facility.

Plunging for a cause

The polar bear plunge is one of Special Olympics Delaware’s more popular fundraisers, drawing more than 4,000 participants last year.

In recent years, the event has been bringing in more than a million dollars for Special Olympics Delaware. Last year, plunge events drew $1.3 million, just shy of the record-breaking $1.5 million raised in 2024.

Alex Seymore, Special Olympics Delaware’s director of digital media, said the organization had already raised more than $1 million from this year’s event.

“We expect a small impact,” Seymore told Delaware Online/The News Journal. “But again, we’re showing that we’ve raised over a million dollars.

He added they are reviewing how the cancelation will impact them and their services.

“It’s been just a couple hours, so we’re not completely positive how it will impact things in the long run,” he said. “We’re thankful for everybody that’s helped raise this money through this time.”

What is still occurring

While the plunge and 5k and been canceled this year, there are other indoor events that will continue as scheduled:

Feb. 27

4 p.m. to 7 p.m. – pick up packets and souvenir sales for the Plunge and 5K Run to the Plunge at the Rehoboth Beach Convention Center, 229 Rehoboth Ave, Rehoboth Beach.

Feb. 28

noon to 2 p.m. Fire & Ice in the Atlantic Sands Ballroom, 1 Baltimore Ave, Rehoboth Beach.
2:30 p.m. to 5 p.m. Restaurant chili contest.
4 p.m. to 7 p.m. – pick up packets and souvenir sales for the Plunge and 5K Run to the Plunge at the Rehoboth Beach Convention Center, 229 Rehoboth Ave, Rehoboth Beach.

Send tips or story ideas to Esteban Parra at (302) 324-2299 or eparra@delawareonline.com.

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Delaware

Trump Accounts for kids; are they available in Delaware?

Published

1 day ago

February 26, 2026

Press Room

Trump Accounts for kids; are they available in Delaware?

President Donald Trump touted his Trump Accounts for kids platform during his State of the Union address Tuesday, Feb. 24, months before the savings account program goes live this summer.

Roughly 63% of parents open bank accounts for the newborns and young children according to The Financial Brand, showing that in general, opening a bank accounts for your child is a good idea.

But what, exactly, are Trump Accounts for kids, and does it make sense for you to open one for your child? Here’s everything you need to know.

Trump Account for kids explained

The IRS explained in a memo Trump Accounts will be available for any children under 18, with $1,000 seed money available for newborns and very young children.

That account will be seeded with federal government funds.

“A Trump account is a type of traditional individual retirement account that is established for the exclusive benefit of an eligible individual and that is designated at its establishment as a Trump account,” read the IRS’ Trump Accounts memo. “Upon an election under the pilot program, $1,000 is paid by the Secretary to the Trump account of an eligible child.

“An eligible child means a qualifying child who is born after December 31, 2024 and before January 1, 2029, who is a U.S. citizen, and for whom no prior pilot program election has been made.”

The Trump Accounts website confirms parents do not need to make a contribution, but can deposit up to $5,000 a year into the interest-bearing account.

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said in comments published Jan. 28 a single $1,000 deposit into a Trump Account at birth should grow to an estimated $500,000 by the age of retirement.

When will Trump Accounts for kids lunch, and can I apply in Delaware?

Trump Accounts for kids will go live on Monday, July 5, and parents in Delaware are allowed to apply for the nationwide offering when it opens.

Until then, you can visit the Trump Accounts website to add your name to the email list to get an update when the service goes live.

The IRS and U.S. Department of the Treasury released Trump Accounts guidance you can read before opening an account.

Problems with Trump Accounts for kids

While opening a Trump Account for your child may seem a good thing, TIME uncovered a few problems with President Donald Trump’s namesake account service.

“The program may be open to every child, but its benefits will flow overwhelmingly to families with the means to contribute thousands of dollars a year. What could have been a leveling tool instead risks becoming a widening wedge between the haves and the have-nots,” read a portion of TIME’s take. “For a family living paycheck-to-paycheck that is unable to add anything beyond the government’s $1,000 seed deposit, the balance reaches just $5,839 by age 18. “

The Joint Center for Political and Economic Studies echoed much of that sentiment, and said Trump Accounts for kids will have the opposite effect from its stated goals.

Damon C. Williams is a Philadelphia-based journalist reporting on trending topics across the Mid-Atlantic Region.

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