The Delaware County Digest

Your source for the latest news from Delaware County | November 14, 2025

Deputy Executive Director Marc Woolley delivered an in-depth update on the work of the Budget Task Force’s Cost Containment Subcommittee, describing a year spent examining how Delaware County operates, where efficiencies can be found, and how to slow long-term cost growth without cutting essential services.

The initiative, launched earlier this year, brought together residents, subject-matter experts, and County staff to study both long-standing expenditures and structural pressures that shape the budget.

“Our subcommittee was tasked with a broad mandate: find cost savings in the County,” Woolley said. “The real question we faced as a group was how to do this, given the time we had and the size of the County and its budget.”

To build a clear picture, the subcommittee invited large or complex departments—including Public Works, Procurement, and Capital Planning—to present their mandates and constraints. 

For many residents on the committee, the briefings offered their first close look at how state requirements and public-service obligations drive much of the County’s spending. “What the County does, what it is required to do, and the resources it needs in order to do it is not widely known to those outside its employ,” Woolley noted, describing the process as eye-opening for all involved.

With that foundation, the group organized its recommendations into immediate, short-term, and long-term actions. Some ideas had already been put in motion before the task force was formed—most notably centralized purchasing and telecom modernization, both of which have already produced significant — roughly three million dollars annually — savings. 

Others, such as the dependent eligibility audit, strategies to better control pharmacy spending, and potential centralization of grants management, are now beginning to move forward. Additional discussions will examine space utilization across County buildings, where consolidation or leasing could reduce future costs.

Woolley acknowledged that his own view shifted over the course of the year. “At the beginning of this process, I was not a fan of the idea,” he said. “It turned out to be something very, very different... This was probably the most impactful project I’ve been involved in since I’ve been here.”

Council Response and Next Steps

Council members praised both the substance of the recommendations and the collaborative structure behind them.

Council Chair Dr. Monica Taylor thanked Woolley and the volunteer members for “meeting regularly, learning more about County government, and helping us understand how we can improve revenue and reduce costs,” calling the work an important part of preparing for future budgets.

Councilmember Christine Reuther emphasized how valuable the process was for the public. “People who took part got a better idea of what the County is required to do, what we have to pay for, and what our revenue streams are,” she said, noting how understanding state-mandated services changes the way residents view the County’s options.

Councilmember Kevin Madden underscored the task force’s role in strengthening continuous improvement in County operations. “In great organizations, you build structures that help you systematically find opportunities to do things better,” he said. “This committee showed how that can work in County government — connecting good ideas with the people who can turn them into action.”

Councilmember Elaine Paul Schaefer highlighted the dedication of department heads and staff who “do more with less” each year and continue to pursue efficiencies without compromising service to residents.

Council Vice Chair Richard Womack stressed the partnership forged during the process. “This is a partnership,” he said. “Residents and County officials working together to help our County grow and be successful.”

Controller (and Councilmember-elect Joanne Phillips) noted that many of the committee’s recommendations echo areas her office has already been working to strengthen. “Some of these ideas — fleet management, grants, leases, contract forms, internal controls — are things we’ve been examining through our audits and special reports,” she said. “What the committee produced validates much of that work and helps push it forward.”

The task force’s final written report is now being completed and will be presented to Council in December.

Delaware County delivered one of Pennsylvania’s strongest Election Day performances this month, posting its highest municipal-year turnout in at least a quarter century while delivering a secure, transparent, and efficiently run election.

More than 186,000 voters cast ballots in the November 4 Municipal Election — a 45.6% turnout among approximately 409,000 registered voters. It is the County’s highest municipal turnout since at least 2000, and likely longer. 

Statewide comparisons show Delaware County ranked seventh-highest in turnout among all 67 counties.

Director of Elections James Allen said the countywide effort reflected months of thorough preparation and the dedication of hundreds of more than 2,000 election workers from every community in the county. “This was one of the smoothest municipal elections we’ve ever administered,” Allen said. “Turnout was exceptionally strong, our poll workers performed extremely well, and the entire operation moved efficiently through every stage of the process. It’s a testament to how seriously Delaware County takes election integrity.”

More than three-quarters of all ballots were cast in person at the polls. Turnout was steady throughout the day, and poll workers — serving from before sunrise to late evening — ensured that precincts ran without major issues. 

Election night reporting also ran efficiently. Most precincts had results posted by midnight, and mail ballot counting concluded by 5:00 a.m. The Voter Registration team processed electronic poll book data faster than ever before, marking a notable improvement in post-election workflow.

This week, the bipartisan Return Board — the group responsible for reviewing precinct records, reconciling voter check-ins with ballots cast, and ensuring the accuracy of Election Day documentation — completed its work in record time and began the required hand-recount audit. 

Director Allen noted that several local races remain extremely close as of Nov. 13 — including a School Board contest in Springfield that may head to a recount — underscoring how decisive individual votes can be in municipal elections.

“This election was a real demonstration of civic commitment,” Councilmember Christine Reuther said. “Voters showed up in remarkable numbers, and our election staff met that challenge with steady hands and meticulous work. I want to especially thank Director Allen for his leadership — the same leadership recognized earlier this year by the U.S. Election Assistance Commission for Delaware County’s commitment to strong, voter-focused administration. It’s yet another reminder of why our elections are so widely respected.”

Delaware County staff also provided regional support this week, sending team members to assist Chester County as it processed thousands of provisional ballots — a gesture that election administrators in both counties described as an example of cooperative public service.

With audits underway and several close races advancing through their required procedures, officials say Delaware County’s election operations continue to demonstrate the integrity, accuracy, and public trust that have become hallmarks of the County’s election system.

For election results — along with news, voter registration information, and updates — visit the Delco Votes! website at DelcoPA.gov/Vote.

Delaware County residents turned out in striking numbers on Saturday for the Delaware County Community Food Drive, with a steady stream of cars, vans, and trucks arriving at the former Don Guanella School site in Marple Township. Over roughly three hours, volunteers collected donations from an estimated 650 vehicles — a response that exceeded expectations at a moment when many households remain unsettled by uncertainty surrounding federal SNAP benefits.

Vehicles began lining up well before the 9:00 a.m. start time, and the flow never slowed. Volunteers and County staff moved quickly from car to car, unloading bags and boxes that were quickly sorted and staged for distribution. The scene recalled the large-scale food drives and supply distribution efforts organized during the pandemic, marked by the same combination of efficiency and quiet generosity.

Eight local food pantries participated directly in the operation, with most donations routed through the Share Food Program. A portion of the late-day contributions went to Holy Cross Parish in Springfield to meet local demand. The volume of donations was so substantial that several participating pantries left earlier than planned, their vehicles fully loaded, while County staff and volunteers remained to sort and prepare the remaining food for transport.

Council Chair Dr. Monica Taylor noted the breadth and momentum of the effort. “Delaware County showed up for one another,” she said. “Residents lined up from the moment the gates opened, and the compassion on display was extraordinary. Our County team and community partners worked tirelessly to make sure every donation reached the families who need it most.”

The turnout was made possible through extensive coordination across County departments. Chief of Social Services and Community Programs Sandy Garrison oversaw logistics; Shannon Fitzpatrick Thomas from Human Services led the planning effort; and Department of Emergency Services Chief of Special Operations Danielle Koerner managed logistics, traffic flow and on-site safety, supported by more than 20 volunteers from the Delaware County Citizen Corps.

Council Vice Chair Richard Womack described the event as another example of collaboration between residents and County government. “This was a partnership,” he said. “Residents, volunteers, and County staff all came together at a crucial time. The generosity we saw was remarkable.”

Minutes before the food drive kickoff: Food pantry representatives pictured with County Council Chair Dr. Monica Taylor and food drive organizer Shannon Fitzpatrick Thomas

Citizen Corps volunteers pictured with Dept of Emergency Services' Danielle Koerner and Julia Borek, along with Sandy Garrison, Chief of Social Services and Community Programs

The County thanks the many community organizations that collected donations in advance of the event — including Media Borough, which received such a significant volume of food throughout the week that a box truck was needed to deliver it. The County also thanks Cardinal O’Hara High School, which had graciously agreed to host the food drive before the school’s football playoff schedule required a last-minute relocation to the nearby former Don Guanella School site.

Residents who were unable to attend can still support local families by donating through the Share Food Program at ShareFoodProgram.org/Delco. 

Together, we continue building a better future for Delaware County by ensuring every family has access to the food and support they need.

Additional community food drives are underway throughout November, and information about food assistance and local pantry locations is available at DelcoPA.gov/Community-Resources.

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