Detailed Budget Task Force Update Presented by Delaware County Deputy Executive Director Marc Woolley
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.