‘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.”