WILMINGTON, DE — Wilmington Mayor Michael Purzycki unveiled an ambitious budget for fiscal year 2025 on Thursday evening, exhibiting his administration’s commitment to the city’s growth and prosperity. This $192.3 million operating package, coupled with a $90.1 million water/sewer/stormwater budget, presents a 5.3% increase from the previous fiscal year—an example Purzycki refers to as a demonstration of the stringent budget discipline his administration has instituted over the last two terms.
What’s the big news? Well, there is no proposed increase in property taxes for the coming fiscal year. However, the Mayor is requesting a 9% increase in water/sewer rates and a 6% stormwater rate hike to address regular and unforeseen costs kindred with running a water utility.
The progress Wilmington has witnessed during Purzycki’s tenure is impressive. The Mayor’s administration has overseen a marked reduction in crime rates, boosted economic development, and launched successful programs like HBCU Week. These achievements, he argues, have transformed Wilmington from a city on the edge to a vibrant, economically thriving urban center.
But his vision for Wilmington extends beyond just maintaining the status quo. From the improvement of parks to the resurgence of neighborhoods and the creation of the wetlands park, which forms a protective barrier for the community of Southbridge, the Mayor has invested significant effort in revitalizing the city’s infrastructure.
Concerning the city’s fiscal management, one of the key highlights of Mayor Purzycki’s tenure has been the significant growth of the city’s unassigned fund balance, which has surged from $34 million in 2017 to a whopping $95 million in 2024.
The Mayor has also placed significant emphasis on public safety. Under his leadership, the city has seen a substantial drop in the homicide rate, with violent crime decreasing by 50% from 2016 to 2023. The Wilmington Police Department is hailed as one of the best in the country, owing to programs such as the Community Engagement Unit and the innovative Partners in Care initiative.
The proposed 2025 budget also includes some significant proposals. Perhaps most notable is the nearly $4.6 million allocation to set up a new Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Division within the Fire Department. This division, staffed by 41 newly created positions, will provide basic life support ambulance service and transport—a cost the city will now shoulder.
Residents might also appreciate the projected decrease in employee healthcare costs, as the city will no longer cover the healthcare of employees’ spouses eligible for subsidized medical coverage through their employers. This measure stands to save the city approximately $255,000—an important fiscal win.
Purzycki’s budget is a testament of his progress-driven leadership for Wilmington. But his proposals will have to pass through Wilmington City Council’s public hearings, which are set to begin next month. A final vote on the new budget will take place in late May, with the budget expected to take effect at the start of the new fiscal year on July 1, 2024.
For the past seven years, Mayor Purzycki’s vision has shaped Wilmington into a thriving, prosperous city. As he delivers his final State of the City Address, it’s clear his budget continues to reflect that bold vision. Wilmington, under Mayor Purzycki’s stewardship, has certainly seen a radical transformation, and the Fiscal Year 2025 budget promises to carry on this legacy of growth and prosperity.
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