The budget passed by a 13–0 vote and marks the first full spending plan under County Executive Marcus Henry.
New NCC budget prioritizes funding for public safety and core services while limiting reliance on temporary grant funding and avoiding large-scale new initiatives outside the county’s core responsibilities.
WILMINGTON, Del. — New Castle County Council unanimously approved the county’s fiscal year 2026 budget Tuesday night, adopting a $371.3 million operating plan that county leaders say emphasizes core services, controlled spending growth, and long-term fiscal stability following the county’s first property reassessment in more than four decades.
The budget passed by a 13–0 vote and marks the first full spending plan under County Executive Marcus Henry.
The FY26 operating budget totals $371,253,586, a $19.8 million increase over the prior year, or 5.62%. County officials said the increase is largely driven by rising personnel, health care, pension, utility, and debt service costs rather than broad program expansion. The capital budget, which includes General Fund and Sewer Fund projects, totals $84,374,248…