New Castle County Executive announces ‘prudent’ budget

    (File/NewsWorks)

    (File/NewsWorks)

    Thomas P. Gordon called for shrinking government spending without tax increases during his budget address.

    New Castle County Executive, Thomas P. Gordon spoke to the city council Tuesday night in his 11th budget proposal requesting a FY2016 overall operating budget of approximately $256 million.

    In his summary, Gordon noted that, “It’s a budget for people who realize there are no easy answers to problems built up over many years. And together…we are, slowly but surely, improving our county’s economic future.”

    The recommendation includes a FY2016 capital budget of $56.6 million, down $1.8 million from 2015. Driven by the increases in the sewer and light tax funds, the 2016 budget request is only .24% above the approved FY2015 budget. The budget also reflects a .10% reduction in the general fund operating budget.

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    The capital budget will continue to fund improvements to the sewer system, parks, public safety and community services programs, including the Rt. 9 Innovation Center. Last year the county council approved $12 million for the Innovation Center that will feature a 40,000 square-foot library designed around state of the art technology.

    The budget proposal will be approved later this spring.

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