Mayor Carney Outlines His $200 M Budget At Latest Town Hall Meeting

Mayor Carney hosted a town hall meeting on Monday, April 1, for Districts 1 & 2 (Photo courtesy @WITNChannel22)

WILMINGTON- Mayor John Carney and the City of Wilmington are encouraging citizens to participate in an ongoing series of Mayoral Town Halls. The first two sessions, held on March 25 in Districts 7 & 8 and April 1 in Districts 1 & 2, were met with strong community participation.

The town hall meeting on Monday, April 1, hosted by Mayor John Carney at the Police Athletic League of Wilmington, focused on the city’s budget and community concerns.

Outlining the proposed budget

Mayor Carney outlined a $200 million budget, representing a 4% increase, aimed at strengthening Wilmington’s infrastructure, public safety, and essential services. Despite the increase, he assured residents that the budget prioritizes fiscal responsibility, particularly in the wake of ongoing property reassessments.

“People are going to see their taxes go up just because the value of your property has gone up,” Carney acknowledged, while also noting that the city has taken steps to mitigate the impact by lowering the tax rate by 78%.

However, he admitted that some reassessments have been miscalculated, urging residents to appeal assessments that appear excessive. “There are some neighborhoods whose assessments are higher than they should be,” Carney said.

The mayor also addressed concerns about rising rents and the impact of these property tax changes, emphasizing that a tax relief program is in development for low-income residents.

“Clearly, that should be a priority for them, and I know my members of council agree.”

Return of city-run ambulance services

A key highlight of the budget is the city’s decision to reinstate its ambulance service, previously contracted out to Saint Francis Hospital. Citing financial struggles faced by Saint Francis, Carney explained the move as necessary for efficiency and reliability.

“So we decided we’re going to do it within the Wilmington Fire Department. Hire more people. Most of our firefighters now are certified as both firefighters and EMTs.”

According to Carney, the city has already purchased five ambulances and anticipates breaking even after a year, with an initial investment of $4 million and projected annual medical billings of $2.5 million. Mutual aid with neighboring services will remain in place to ensure sufficient coverage.

Strengthening Wilmington’s neighborhoods

Community investment was another major theme, with Carney detailing plans to enhance Wilmington’s streets, sidewalks, and green spaces.

“So making an investment in basic infrastructure really is what it boils down to, neighborhood infrastructure is what I would call it.”

The budget includes targeted funding for neighborhood stabilization and housing-related concerns such as code enforcement.

Future Town Hall meetings

Given the success of the initial meetings, the city is encouraging residents to attend the upcoming Budget and Transition Town Halls scheduled for next week.

Tuesday, April 8, 2025 – Claymore Senior Center (Serving Districts 5 & 6)
Thursday, April 10, 2025 – Wilmington Public Library (Serving Districts 3 & 4)

These town halls offer an opportunity for community members to stay informed on key budget proposals and actively participate in shaping Wilmington’s policies. City officials emphasize the importance of public engagement in fostering a stronger, more connected community.