County Council Eyes $120M Land Conservation Bond for November Ballot; Sustainability Commission Adopts Bylaws
The Delaware County Sustainability Commission approved amended bylaws and canceled its August meeting at its July 9 session, while County Council has placed a $120 million land conservation bond referendum on its agenda for consideration on the November 3, 2026 ballot.
Sustainability Commission
The only body with official minutes published in the past two weeks, the Sustainability Commission took three unanimous votes on July 9. Members approved the May meeting minutes, approved amended bylaws with a correction to the Sustainability Officer title, and canceled the August meeting. The commission also received an update on the Darby Creek watershed plan. No dollar figures or further details on the watershed plan were included in the available record.
County Council — $120M Bond and Multiple Contracts on Agenda
County Council met July 14 and July 15, but minutes have not yet been published. Based on the published agendas, council is considering Resolution 2026-01, which would place a ballot question before voters on November 3, 2026, authorizing up to $120 million in debt for land conservation, drinking water protection, wildlife habitat, and parks.
The consent agenda includes several grants and contracts:
- **$2.1 million Election Integrity Grant** to offset unfunded state election mandates.
- **$1.455 million Counter-UAS Grant** for drone detection equipment and training. The July 14 agenda listed this item at $1.4 million; the July 15 agenda specifies $1.455 million.
- **$689,868.48 annual service agreement** for 911 dispatch software (Octave).
- **10-year lease** for District Courts 32-1-23 and 32-2-37 at 1100 Chester Pike, Sharon Hill, with initial annual rent of $117,000.
- Approval to advertise **RFPs for food service operations and solar array installations** at county locations.
Presentations on planning and the annual financial report were also scheduled. Public comment was invited.
Because minutes are not yet available, it is not confirmed which of these items were formally adopted.
Personnel Board — Appointments and Reclassifications
The Personnel Board met July 14 to vote on several appointments and a position reclassification. The agenda lists:
- **Taylor Dunn** as Public Defender, salary range $152,563.00 to $198,333.00.
- **Chris Welsh** as Deputy Executive Director, Human Services and Community Support, salary range $151,611.20 to $197,100.80.
- **Jeff Lange** as Interim Warden, salary range $151,611.20 to $197,100.80.
- **Amber Weeks** as Administrator to the Office of the Medical Examiner, salary range $114,649.60 to $149,032.00.
- Reclassification of a Fair Acres Occupational Health Registered Nurse position to Advanced Nurse Practitioner, salary range $99,690 to $129,596.
Minutes have not been published, so final votes are not confirmed.
Jail Oversight Board — Interim Warden and Supplies
The Jail Oversight Board met July 14 with several items on its agenda:
- Confirmation of the appointment of Interim Warden.
- Purchase of shower shoes for incarcerated persons, at a cost not to exceed **$25,000** for an 11-month supply.
- Approval of meeting minutes from June 9, 2026.
- Approval of reports of the Warden and Deputy Warden from June 9, 2026.
- Reports from the Warden, Deputy Warden, and Programs and Reentry staff.
Public comment was invited at the start of the meeting. Minutes are not yet published.
Coming Up
No upcoming meetings are listed for the next 14 days. Readers should check county meeting calendars for any newly posted sessions.