PRESS RELEASE: Wilmington City Council Passes FY2026 Budget

Friday, May 23, 2025

Wilmington City Council Passes FY2026 Budget
Budget Includes Targeted Investments in Neighborhoods, Education, Safety, and Infrastructure.
 

Wilmington, DE – On Thursday, May 22, 2025, Wilmington City Council approved the City’s Fiscal Year 2026 General Fund Budget, totaling $201.7 million, which is an increase of $7.6 million over the previous year. The budget passed with a 11-yays, 1-absent, and 1-nay vote.

The approved budget also includes a 5.5% increase in water and sewer rates and a 6% increase in stormwater rates, both necessary to address the City’s aging infrastructure. Notably, there will be no increase in property taxes for Wilmington residents. This follows negotiations with Mayor John Carney’s administration, during which Council successfully reduced the originally proposed 6.5% increase in water rates. For a typical residential customer using 4,000 gallons of water per month, this translates to an increase of approximately $3.98 per month on their bill.

Council held extensive public hearings throughout April to review departmental budget requests and ensure alignment with community priorities and Council’s Strategic Plan. To ensure adequate funding to address the City’s aging water sewer system infrastructure and operating cost, this budget also includes a Water Sewer Fund Operating Budget total of $95 million, up $5.2 million over the prior year’s budget.

The budgetary priorities for Council are inclusive of the Council’s Strategic Plan, such as a Public Safety, Neighborhood Stabilization, Community, Education, Economic Development, Financial Stability, and Parks.

“Tonight, we have taken a significant step forward in achieving our collective goals,” said Finance & Economic Development Committee Chair and 4th District Council Member Michelle Harlee. “This budget demonstrates our commitment to the needs and priorities of our City. I want to express my sincere gratitude for everyone’s hard work and collaboration in bringing this to fruition. With this budget, we can continue investing in initiatives that will create a meaningful impact. It stands as a testament to our shared vision for a better future. I am excited to witness the positive changes this budget will bring to our community. Together, we continue to lay the foundation for a brighter tomorrow, addressing critical issues that matter to our constituents such as the EMT services, Neighborhood Stabilization, Water-bill Utility Assistance, and the Office of Educational Advocacy. Let us continue to work collaboratively to ensure its successful implementation. Thank you all for your support in making this budget a reality.”

Also included in the 2026 budget are the following priorities of Council that are already factored in FY26 Proposed Budget:
 
Neighborhood Stabilization:

• $2M – Home Repairs, Alleyway Assistance (Pilot), Tree Removal
• $2M – Affordable Housing (Capital Budget)

• $125K – Partners In Care Program
• $30K – Police Accountability Board (Citizen Review Board)

• $200K – HBCU Scholarships for Wilmington residents

• $350K – Utility Assistance Program

• $50K – Relocation Assistance
• $100K – Traffic Calming Devices

• $3M – Parks
• $1M – Emergency Sidewalk Repairs

• $350K – Small Minority Business Program
• $75K – Council Discretionary Beautification Funds
• $42K – Overtime for Park Maintenance on Weekends

In response to public concerns about the recent property reassessment conducted by New Castle County, the City has introduced a bifurcated tax rate structure to lessen the burden on residential property owners. Council also voted to approve two new millage rates – one for residential and one for non-residential properties – as a temporary relief solution for tax year 2026, while longer-term fixes are explored.

“I’d like to thank my council colleagues, and the mayor and his administration for their collaboration and for the meetings we held that helped us pass this budget,” said Finance and Economic Development Committee Chair Michelle Harlee, of the 4th District.

“I want to thank the Finance Chair Councilmember Harlee and Mayor Carney’s administration for their leadership and collaboration throughout the FY 2026 budget process,” said President Pro Tempore and 6th District Council Member Yolanda McCoy. “While there were certainly concerns that brought some apprehension, we worked through them together, thoughtfully and constructively. In the end, this represents the best path forward for the challenges before us.”

Council Vote Summary:
Sub. 1 to Ordinance 25-009, Adopting the Annual Operating Budget for the Fiscal Year Beginning on July 1, 2025 and Ending on June 30, 2026
 
11-Yays : Council Members Coby J. Owens (1st District), Zanthia Oliver (3rd District), Michelle Harlee (4th District), Christian Willauer (5th District), Yolanda McCoy (6th District), Chris Johnson (7th District), Nathan Field (8th District), Latisha Bracy (At-Large), Maria D. Cabrera (At-Large), Alexander D. Hackett (At-Large), James Spadola (At-Large)

1 – Absent: Shané Darby (2nd District)
1 – Nay: President Trippi Congo

“Though this budget includes meaningful priorities, I cannot overlook the burden of rising utility costs for our residents,” said City Council President Trippi Congo. “Our goal should always be to uplift our most vulnerable and I believe this plan could have done more to ease their financial challenges. I stand with the community in asking for a better path forward.”

What’s Next:
The approved budget now heads to Mayor John Carney for his signature. The new fiscal year begins July 1, 2026.

For more information about the FY2026 budget, visit https://wilmdebudget.org/

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MEDIA CONTACT:
Yesenia Taveras
Director of Communications, Wilmington City Council
Office: (302)576-2585
Mobile: (302)757-5748
Email: ytaveras@wilmingtonde.gov
City Council Website: www.wilmingtoncitycouncil.com