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The Delaware County Digest
Your source for the latest news from Delaware County | August 22, 2025
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Delaware County Council Exploring Creation of a New Human Relations Commission to Safeguard Civil Rights
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Delaware County Council has begun consideration of Ordinance 2025-06, which would establish a Human Relations Commission to broaden protections against discrimination and give residents a formal process for resolving grievances. The measure received its first reading during Council’s agenda meeting, where members expressed both strong support for the intent and a desire to carefully evaluate its implementation.
Structure and Powers of the Commission
The ordinance proposes the creation of a 12-member volunteer Human Relations Commission, supported by designated County staff and an operating budget. The Commission would be tasked with investigating discrimination complaints, mediating disputes, and issuing enforceable orders. These orders could include restitution, damages, or fines of up to $500, as well as injunctions to halt unlawful practices.
Much like the Pennsylvania Human Relations Act, the ordinance prohibits discrimination in housing and employment, but it goes further by also covering education and medical care. For example, the protections that currently prevent discrimination in hiring based on race, gender, or ethnicity would also apply to school admissions and the provision of medical services. If cases could not be resolved through conciliation or investigation, complainants would retain the right to bring their claims before the Delaware County Court of Common Pleas.
The ordinance also expands protections beyond state law. While Pennsylvania follows the U.S. Supreme Court’s Bostock decision interpreting sex discrimination to include gender identity and sexual orientation, Delaware County’s ordinance would explicitly name those categories to safeguard them regardless of future court rulings. Additional categories include weight, height, educational background (such as GED status), and age, by lowering the County's protections from age 40 to age 35.
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Councilmembers Weigh Benefits and Concerns
Councilmembers voiced clear support for the ordinance’s intent but also raised questions about its scope, costs, and implementation.
Councilmember Christine Reuther focused on protections for families with children, a recurring concern she has heard from residents seeking housing. “There is an area where people have told me they’ve had issues getting apartments, and that’s because they have children,” she said. “Would this ordinance protect against that type of housing discrimination?” Jack Larkin, serving as legal counsel, confirmed that the measure includes protections based on “familial status,” preventing landlords from excluding tenants solely because they have children—while still permitting age-restricted communities such as 55-and-older housing.
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Councilmember Elaine Paul Schaefer emphasized that she supports the goal of the ordinance, particularly in providing stronger protections for LGBTQ residents. “We’ve heard clearly from members of our LGBTQ community that they feel under attack and want protections, and I’m very sympathetic to that,” she said. But she also urged caution. “I don’t think we are anywhere near ready to adopt this,” she explained, citing the need to better understand the financial impact of running a commission with subpoena power, public hearings, and legal responsibilities.
Schaefer also questioned how much of the work might duplicate the Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission and emphasized the need to learn from a wider range of municipalities. “The community that we reviewed is not demographically comparable to us. I want to hear from more communities to understand how this actually plays out.”
While reiterating her predisposition to support the measure, Schaefer concluded that Council must “move forward with open eyes and make this decision understanding all the consequences.”
Next Steps
Vice Chair Richard Womack, who chaired the session, emphasized that the ordinance is still in its early stages. “This is just the first reading,” he said, noting that Council will gather more information, hear from additional communities, and review potential impacts before moving forward with a second reading and potential adoption.
If approved, Delaware County would become the first of Philadelphia’s collar counties to establish a Human Relations Commission, underscoring Council’s stated commitment to equity, inclusion, and expanded protections for residents.
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Delaware County Executive Director Outlines Local Impacts of State Budget Freeze and SEPTA Funding Impasse
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At the August 20 Regular Public meeting hosted by Delaware County Council, Executive Director Barbara O’Malley delivered a presentation detailing the local impact of Pennsylvania’s ongoing state budget impasse. Her remarks, paired with a presentation slide showing delayed payments from the Governor’s Office, highlighted both the magnitude of the freeze and the tough decisions now facing the County.
A Statewide Freeze with Local Impact
On July 29, Delaware County received formal notice from the Governor’s Office that a range of state reimbursements would be frozen until a new budget is enacted. The affected payments, totaling more than a half-billion dollars statewide, include: $390 million in county child welfare payments, $33 million in child support enforcement, $21 million in opioid response funding, $15 million for behavioral health, $12.88 million for aging programs, and millions more for domestic violence prevention, community-based family centers, public health initiatives, EMS, and newborn screening.
“These payments support critical services in all counties—services such as investigations of child abuse and neglect, support for mental health programs, drug and alcohol treatment, funding for senior programs, food safety initiatives, maternal and child health services, and more,” O’Malley explained.
She underscored that the freeze represents delayed funding, not a permanent reduction. “This is a funding freeze, not a cut. That means the County will eventually receive the funding. However, we must decide how long we can continue services without receiving the state funds needed to pay providers, staff, and others.”
The impact on Delaware County is immediate and significant. The overall unfunded monthly value of social services is $12.1 million. Payments that would normally have been received in July and August have not arrived, leaving the County to consider drawing from its general fund or curtailing services to sustain operations.
Planning for Tough Choices
Barbara O’Malley told Council that staff are evaluating options, including temporarily using restricted funds that would be replenished once the state budget is resolved, or reducing services to manage costs. She noted that while the Health Department has some protection through direct federal grants and ARPA allocations, most social services rely almost entirely on state and pass-through federal funding, making them far more vulnerable to delays.
“Calls for services continue to grow, and our providers are dependent on funding to keep their organizations running,” said O’Malley.
Some County programs will face limited or no disruption. The Veterans Office is funded entirely through County general funds, Workforce Development has reserves and direct federal funds, and the Office of Housing and Community Development is largely federally funded. Libraries, however, will lose state district aid that helps cover salaries and support member libraries.
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SEPTA Funding Concerns
In addition to the human services funding freeze, O’Malley highlighted transit funding as another area of concern tied to the state budget. Delaware County is required to provide SEPTA with an annual subsidy of $13.466 million, including $2.466 million in capital contributions and nearly $11 million in operating support from the County’s general fund. The operating subsidy alone has increased 20 percent in just five years, from just over $9 million in 2020 to nearly $11 million today.
She warned that further increases in regional contributions have been discussed in Harrisburg, which would be “very challenging for our County to absorb.” Reliable transit, she said, remains critical not only for residents’ daily commutes but also for preparing for the significant travel demands of 2026, when Delaware County and the region will host the America 250 celebration, FIFA World Cup matches, the PGA Championship at Aronimink, and Major League Baseball’s All-Star Game.
“Residents need both safe roads and reliable public transit,” O’Malley said. “Cuts to SEPTA and public transit don’t just affect riders—they put more cars on the road, add to commuting times, and increase wear and tear on roadways that are already underfunded.”
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Looking Ahead
O’Malley closed her presentation by reaffirming the County’s commitment to working with providers, evaluating all available financial options, and continuing to advocate for a swift resolution in Harrisburg. While the County has weathered freezes in the past, she cautioned that the longer the stalemate drags on, the more difficult it will be to sustain critical services for Delaware County residents.
“While we have not taken immediate steps yet, we must act quickly, as no funding has come in since July,” O’Malley said.
Residents are encouraged to contact their legislators, including Delaware County’s state delegation in Harrisburg, to urge the swift passage of a state budget that restores funding for essential services and provides robust, sustained support for SEPTA.
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Delaware County Launches Redesigned DelcoPA.Gov with Improved Accessibility and Navigation
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Delaware County has officially launched a newly redesigned version of its primary website—DelcoPA.Gov—marking the first major overhaul in more than a decade.
The redesign, which incorporates feedback from residents along with modern usability and accessibility standards, makes it faster, clearer, and far more user-friendly.
“This isn’t just about a new look,” said Delaware County Council Chair Dr. Monica Taylor. “It’s about providing faster, easier, and more reliable access to the services people rely on, and delivering on our commitment to transparency and inclusion.”
Key Features
The new site was built around three core goals: accessibility, usability, and transparency. Highlights include:
- A new How Do I? tab, easily accessible on every page, that gives residents a single, plain-language gateway to County services—everything from marriage licenses and voter registration to property sales, immunizations, and job listings.
- A Government tab, also easily accessible on every page, that clearly organizes departments, bureaus, agencies, boards, and commissions for easier navigation.
- A centralized County calendar that makes it easier to find public meetings, events, and deadlines all in one place.
- And improved accessibility across the board—including a new accessibility widget, integrated translation tools, and full mobile optimization, so the site works well on any device, in any language, for every resident.
Behind the scenes, the site runs on a modernized IT infrastructure that supports faster performance, stronger security, and long-term scalability. It uses SSL encryption to secure communications and meets WCAG 2.0 accessibility standards.
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A Collaborative Effort
The redesign was more than a year in the making and represents a collaborative effort between County leadership, the Information Technology team, and in-house developers.
“We designed this site with residents in mind,” said Delaware County Chief Information Officer John Becht. “Our goal was to take the feedback we heard, pair it with best practices in accessibility and usability, and create a platform that serves all residents — regardless of age, language, or ability — now and into the future.”
Looking Ahead
The launch marks the beginning of an ongoing process. Additional features will be rolled out in the months ahead, including more standardized forms and expanded calendar content.
Residents are encouraged to explore the new site at DelcoPA.Gov and share their feedback by emailing AskDelco@co.delaware.pa.us.
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Office of Judicial Support Details Services and New Initiatives in Council Briefing
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As part of Delaware County Council’s ongoing effort to give residents a closer look at how their government works, Council recently welcomed a presentation from Mary Walk, Director of the Office of Judicial Support (OJS). Walk outlined the vital role OJS plays in the County’s judicial system, its wide-ranging responsibilities, and new initiatives designed to improve accessibility and efficiency for residents.
OJS serves as the official filing office for the 32nd Judicial District of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. With a staff of 46 dedicated employees—including deputies, IT specialists, customer service and support coordinators, passport agents, court clerks, and Protection from Abuse liaisons—the office manages both the civil and criminal divisions of the court system. As Director, Walk functions as the Prothonotary on the civil side and the Clerk of Courts on the criminal side.
Walk explained that OJS generated $3,327,370 in revenue in 2024, an increase of more than $124,000 compared to the previous year. The office’s 2025 budget is $2,475,781, and she noted with pride that OJS is one of the County offices that not only provides essential services but also generates significant revenue. “I’m proud to say that we do bring in revenue for the County, and we’re very proud of that,” Walk said.
Managing Civil, Family, and Criminal Filings
On the civil side, OJS processed 6,352 initial filings in 2024. These included lawsuits filed by individuals and businesses, landlord–tenant appeals, appeals from administrative agencies and arbitration, notary registrations, mental health petitions, and name change petitions. OJS also handles thousands of liens and judgments, many originating from the IRS, the Commonwealth, or the County’s own probation department when individuals owe court costs.
In the family division, there were 4,391 initial filings last year, including 1,390 custody cases, 902 divorces, and 2,099 Protection from Abuse petitions. Beginning October 15, 2025, OJS will begin accepting family case filings electronically—an improvement Walk said will save time, money, and paper, while making the process more convenient for residents and the legal community. Protection from Abuse filings, however, will remain in-person because of their emergency nature.
The criminal division managed 5,468 filings in 2024, covering motions and petitions, bail processing, bench warrants, private detective licenses, and summary appeals. OJS also processes expungements from both the Court of Common Pleas and the magisterial district courts—a responsibility that has expanded significantly due to state mandates. On September 15, 2025, OJS will take another step forward by introducing electronic filing for criminal cases, a change welcomed by both the Public Defender’s Office and the District Attorney’s Office.
| Office of Judicial Support Director Mary Walk presents before Council on August 20 | |
Services for Residents and the Community
Court clerks, also part of OJS, play a key role in supporting the judicial process. They prepare files, record proceedings electronically, docket exhibits, complete sentencing orders for judges’ signatures, assist with jury selection, and even read verdicts in court.
OJS also serves residents directly through its passport office. In 2024 alone, the office processed 4,319 new passport applications, handled by just four agents who are required to pass annual recertification tests from the U.S. Department of State.
In addition, OJS is responsible for records management, maintaining the official docket for both civil and criminal proceedings. The office fulfills thousands of requests each year for certified documents, including divorce records, naturalization records, liens, judgments, and criminal records needed for pardons or expungements. A surprising number of divorce record requests, Walk noted, come from residents applying for Italian citizenship.
Finally, OJS plays a ceremonial and deeply meaningful role in welcoming new citizens. Four times a year, OJS coordinates with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services to hold naturalization ceremonies at the courthouse. As Clerk of Courts, Walk prepares the necessary paperwork and administers the Oath of Citizenship. “Of all the things I’ve done in this role, administering the Oath of Citizenship is one of the most moving experiences and a true honor,” she said.
At the close of her presentation, Delaware County Council Chair Dr. Monica Taylor thanked Walk and the OJS team for their years of dedicated service, highlighting their leadership in advancing new initiatives that make County government more accessible and user-friendly for residents.
By opening the doors on the inner workings of offices like OJS, Council hopes to foster a deeper public understanding of the vital services that keep Delaware County running each day.
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Register of Wills Marriage Monday
The Delaware County Register of Wills is excited to start a new tradition of Marriage Mondays, where they celebrate a couple on social media who recently got their Marriage License from the ROW team. If you’d like to be featured or make an appointment to get your Marriage License, please call (610) 891-4416.
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Delaware County Library Board Opening
The Delaware County Library Board is looking for three new members to serve three-year terms. The DCLB, which oversees 26 community libraries in Delaware County and meets approximately six times a year, is responsible for library budgets, long-term planning, and optimizing service. Apply by August 29 on the Boards & Commissions web page.
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Free Box Fans Still Available for Seniors
Delaware County’s Office of Services for the Aging (COSA), in partnership with PECO, is offering free box fans to residents age 60 and older. To request a fan, or for information about COSA's many services and resources for seniors, call COSA at 610‑490‑1300. Supplies are limited, so don’t wait to call.
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Volunteers Needed for Delco 10-Miler Race
The Delco 10 Miler debuts this September with a scenic 10-mile course from Rose Tree Park to a stadium finish at Subaru Park, showcasing local pride, energy, and community spirit. Note: Due to popularity, the registration cap has been upped. Sign up and be part of this exciting new Delco tradition! Click here to Run or Volunteer.
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Chester Waterfront Industrial Development Authority Board Opening
The Delaware County Chester Waterfront Industrial Development Authority seeks two new board members for five-year terms. The board provides oversight and serves as liaison between the County and the Philadelphia Union, owners of Subaru Park. Apply by August 29 on the Boards & Commissions web page.
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