Delaware · issues
Civic issues
Topics getting the most attention in Delaware public meetings, ranked by how frequently they come up.
Fire Station 305 Construction
Chief Pyle laid out Fire/EMS capital needs, headlined by a ~$2.25 million ladder truck to replace the trouble-prone 2012 model, plus AEDs, a deferred hazmat trailer, and outfitting the new Station 305. The ladder truck has a 32-48 month delivery window, so planning ahead matters.
Carriage Drive Commercial Vehicle Parking
A resident reported utility trucks, inoperable vans, and detached trailers cluttering Carriage Drive and blocking driveways near the high school apartments. The committee directed him to submit photos and documentation through the clerk for staff follow-up.
EMS Billing Services Transition
Delaware County is ending its decades-long EMS reimbursement, leaving a roughly $1.1 million hole in the fire/EMS fund. Staff pitched an EMS billing program — likely insurance-only for residents, meaning no out-of-pocket bills — with a vendor recommendation due November 9.
Resident alleges court and water department failures
A resident criticized council for ignoring his emails, alleged unconstitutional water shutoffs without notice, and demanded answers about overspending protections.
ADA Policy and Transition Plan adopted
The city's complaint-driven sidewalk repair program has fixed nearly 25,000 square feet of sidewalk in two years, mostly damage from street trees, and will grow to $225,000 across three cycles in 2027 to reduce trip-and-fall injuries.
Fire lieutenant promotions and new Station 305
Seven new firefighters were added to the department, six tied to the new fire station opening next year. Three lieutenant promotions and three replacement hires are still coming later this year.
Police officer hiring pipeline
Delaware police are at 58 sworn officers against an authorized strength of 63, with five openings. City Council added three positions in this year's budget, so the department is close to its pre-2026 strength and continues hiring from the certified list.
Sergeant promotion process overhaul
The sergeant promotion test was rebuilt: a Delaware-specific written exam, oral interview, and leadership assessment replace the old single-assessment format. The change follows union feedback that one test put all the eggs in one basket.
Vergon Drive renamed Rainstone Drive
A near-duplicate street name is confusing 911 dispatchers, so Vergon Drive becomes Rainstone Drive. The property owner requested it and mailing addresses won't change.
Goodwill men's transitional living home
A 16-bed shelter with on-site staff and supportive services won unanimous approval in the Greenwood Commons/Sugar Run development. T&R Properties is donating the land to Goodwill and discounting rents on 20% of its adjoining apartments; the operator says residents will be nonviolent men transitioning to jobs.
Avery's Law dog ordinance
City dog rules now match Ohio's updated dangerous-dog law, giving clearer definitions, impound procedures, and a 10-day court timeline — and letting the city's civilian animal control officer keep enforcing the law.
Chlorine gas safety conversion at water plant
The water plant still uses dangerous chlorine gas; switching to liquid sodium hypochlorite would remove one of the city's biggest chemical hazards but requires a significant retrofit.
Justice Center space and condition
The police headquarters turns 34 in November and is full — no desk space left, an expanded-to-its-limit property room, and a flood-prone basement. Chief Moore warned the city needs to decide soon whether to build new, remodel, or relocate, noting a new station would take four to six years.
Emergency Management Plan and City-County Coordination
Delaware County's EMA director explained how the county supports the city during disasters — tornadoes, flooding, hazmat spills, and big events like the Little Brown Jug. The city handles incidents first; the county steps in when local resources are overwhelmed. Residents are urged to get insurance, sign up for Delco Alerts, and consider a NOAA weather radio.
Fire/EMS mutual aid with Columbus
A three-year automatic mutual aid agreement would let Columbus fire and EMS units automatically back up Delaware on major calls.
Fire department staffing and Station 5 preparation
The fire department is fully staffed today, with ten budgeted hires coming on to be trained ahead of Station 5's expected opening early next year. The certified list of 15 candidates keeps the hiring pipeline full.
Permit-before-build enforcement
The Lone Pine porch was built without a permit, and staff stressed that the permit process would have caught the setback problem and railing requirements before construction. The board noted the existing violation can't be counted as a hardship.
Exterior property maintenance code overhaul
The city now has its own exterior maintenance code with pollinator garden protections, beehive rules, posted notices instead of certified mail, and an education-first approach — enforcement stays a last resort.
Street and alley maintenance ordinance rewrite
A companion ordinance replaces the old grass and weeds chapter with new rules covering tall grass, trash, and temporary signs on public property between the property line and the street or curb.
Council ethics and compliance training
Council members got their yearly refresher on Ohio ethics law — how to handle conflicts of interest, gift limits around $75, confidentiality, and campaign rules. It's about keeping public trust and avoiding legal trouble, with penalties ranging up to third-degree felonies.
Opioid settlement funds
The city will sign on to the final piece of national opioid litigation, entitling Delaware to its share of the Six Remnant Defendants settlement. Roughly $159,000 from earlier settlements is banked, with talks to fund school resource officers.
Sidewalk snow removal near schools
After the big storms, kids struggled to reach schools safely because plows push snow onto sidewalks. The city is exploring options like plowing one side of a street at a time near schools.
Snow response and $118,000 price tag
The 12-inch storm cost about $118,000 and 1,100 labor hours, but crews cleared streets in 36 hours — beating the 48-hour goal. Council wants better ways to tell residents to move cars off streets before plowing.