Wilmington passes revised budget
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The Wilmington City Council voted 7-6 to approve the fiscal year 2018 budget. The approval came after negotiations with Mayor Mike Purzycki over proposed cuts, including 29 vacant positions and 16 firefighting positions.
The $154.9 million budget raises property taxes by 7.6 percent and cuts $2 million out of the 2018 deficit.
“The Mayor sent Council a fiscally responsible budget which resulted in a foundation for making some tough decisions easier. I would like to thank Mayor Purzycki and my Council colleagues,” said Council President Hanifa Shabazz.
Not all of the Council President’s colleagues agreed. Some members said the firefighting cuts represented a threat to public safety.
Purzycki has noted that those positions were possible due to a short-term federal grant, and that this budget should meet the needs of the department.
“The action of the Council tonight helps us reach a few goals which include reducing the size and cost of government and allowing for a budget surplus next year to help mitigate projected multi-million dollar budget deficits through FY 2020,” Purzycki
The budget also includes funding a safe haven shelter in the 6th Council District and a fire training class for the purpose of training more firefighters.
This Mayor is just another rubber stamp Democrat. Raise taxes and don’t cut costs. He is also probably protecting his real estate assets.