[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6225315,"mediaKeyId","3539098-a0021e474c8c092c195d16a066978750","parentId",3539098,"title","Channel 28 advocates urge city to reopen community access with new operator team","audioSeconds",491,"startMs",3638000,"endMs",4129000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3539098-a0021e474c8c092c195d16a066978750&start=3638&end=4129","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3539098-a0021e474c8c092c195d16a066978750/thumbnail_3638000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6225315/Wilmington-City/New-Castle-County/Delaware/Channel-28-advocates-urge-city-to-reopen-community-access-with-new-operator-team","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6225315-2edad0d7234cc2598de2918a7cddb85c/orig.mp4?Expires=1771178521&Signature=gQRHw9KXMXLKZEmRfyRDm2LnBw1J6ocXk4vakKr5HynzDqdSumX-dkUKNvIKEu~lYLeThm4nItVdZiSp3VNDYfc1IlmD-85aSjD0sjvx7I8REkN01pJioq0Uan4fFUYG7vACCe93HtUbhhi7QkDJ9EuCdYtncy6-C-l8HlC0oXtNdP~N8mdcLnlrwelCRYvYlsfwSmji7y5oq-Kj7xpMrn4-YLzJk2927tDyVilBHhiM60p4W4XE3CE~ZjiD6SH2o6eL7XImOINx-7C-YO-Qv-rJB5KsorTXQLpK4JVP5Nn9nvA7iskK9JtQexyPacDUxXbaFcEpbI8YbzYPUbT6fg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City of Wilmington, DE","date","2025-05-23T00:00:00Z","article","A coalition of former Channel 28 staffers, filmmakers and community media organizers asked Wilmington City Council on Thursday to help restore local public‑access television and give a new operator a chance to present a plan.

Tim Qualls, who described decades of local programming experience and said he “programmed 70% of channel 28,” urged the council to allow him and his team to present how a third‑party operator (TPO) could relaunch the station as a community broadcast service. Don Thomas, Antonio Byrd, Tai Parquet and others described documentary and production experience and said they could provide youth training, community storytelling and local programing.

Several speakers tied the station’s historical role to community recovery and outreach. Edwina Bell, who said she came to Channel 28 through a recovery‑oriented program led by the late Dr. Benjamin Mitchell, told council the channel helped people in recovery find new purpose and urged council to use community media to “give the community a voice.”

Why it matters: Local public‑access TV has historically provided low‑cost, locally produced programming and training for residents. Advocates said reviving Channel 28 could provide training, youth workforce development and a community media outlet after years of changes in cable carriage and station administration.

Council response: Council acknowledged the public comments and encouraged the proponents to present a formal plan. No formal ordinance or funding measure was introduced on the floor during the meeting.

Next steps: Participants requested a formal presentation to the council about governance, funding and a possible TPO model. Council members said staff will accept proposals and that proponents should coordinate with the mayor’s office and relevant city departments to schedule a briefing.

Ending note: Advocates asked for a short follow‑up briefing to show how a community‑based operator could resume training and locally produced programming on Channel 28.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Wilmington Regular Meeting of Wilmington City Council | 5/22/2025","oneSentenceSummary","A group of Wilmington media producers, filmmakers and past station staff urged council during public comment to reestablish local public access (Channel 28) and asked for an opportunity to present a plan to run the station as a community TPO.","taxTitle","Wilmington City, New Castle County, Delaware","taxId",12638,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6225320,"Council approves 5.5% water rate increase and 6% stormwater hike amid affordability concerns",541,5897000,6438000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3539098-a0021e474c8c092c195d16a066978750&start=5897&end=6438","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3539098-a0021e474c8c092c195d16a066978750/thumbnail_5897000.jpg","/articles/6225320/Wilmington-City/New-Castle-County/Delaware/Council-approves-55-water-rate-increase-and-6-stormwater-hike-amid-affordability-concerns","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6225320-c897117d2163f4abbc50c4cbf081f7dc/orig.mp4?Expires=1771178521&Signature=DpaE80Icd5AliwqH7Ji28QVap3wt6ypyOeOcmCDRQ2haN8X6YHxP0RYGxvmZGlgQIp6RpXdH3094W3EktjdsbBm7MHi4gHByKCxagzsI5lNSOYoJOfIsyDzm0c95I8FjVAmeRXQpFeM1KXuY15XytwcoXYwCk9xoOLwg6EiwEzUYFV~X584NDMnnbOs3d38PQXtigRRqGmcpYNF4bBtC2vhw8WXZLGUFME-JXqhpE9BmeK8MOK5xQpMWX8rmK8ge7lMkK-1YdB87XqGKNGOynxsUCSylDrKHk1OLPkrA4lMcowmyK3X1aBZtEU9yV7zEHXYVasFlGT5n3L4pDdl4kA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Wilmington City Council on Thursday approved a substitute ordinance that sets water, sewer and stormwater rates for fiscal 2026, including a 5.5% water rate increase and a 6% stormwater increase.

Council discussed the item separately from the general budget. Councilwoman Harley said the council moved the proposed 6.5% water increase down to 5.5% during deliberations. Administration officials told the council the change will result in a $3.98 monthly increase for a typical residential customer using 4,000 gallons.

Why it matters: The water/sewer fund supports aging infrastructure; administrators and consultants noted maintenance and capital needs that require revenue. Council supporters said the rise is measured and lower than the administration’s original proposal. Opponents said the city should first examine internal charges allocated to the water fund before raising customer rates and criticized the affordability of another annual increase.

Dissent and votes: Councilwoman Willower said the water‑rate increase would “ask our small businesses who are already facing rising cost of utilities … to pay more than their fair taxes” and announced she would not support the measure. Councilwoman Darby also opposed the measure, citing potential shutoffs and harm to vulnerable households. Councilman Owens said he would vote no for similar reasons. The water and stormwater ordinance passed by roll call, 9 yeas to 4 nays.

Administration and protections: Finance and water officials told council members that Wilmington’s water bills remain among the lowest in the region and that delinquencies currently total roughly $600,000; council members also noted existing assistance programs and urged expanded outreach to those programs. The finance chair noted that certain delinquencies and debt service allocations were reviewed and adjusted in committee before the vote.

Next steps: The ordinance takes effect for FY2026 billing cycles and staff will implement outreach to customers about assistance programs and monitor shutoffs and delinquencies. Several council members said they want a longer‑term approach to affordability, including evaluation of how non‑water city expenses are allocated to the water/sewer fund.","After debate and public comment, Council adopted a substitute ordinance setting a 5.5% water rate increase and a 6% stormwater rate increase; council split 9‑4 on the vote with several members citing affordability and small‑business impacts.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6225324,"Wilmington council adopts FY2026 operating and capital budgets with neighborhood and parks investments",550,5491000,6041000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3539098-a0021e474c8c092c195d16a066978750&start=5491&end=6041","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3539098-a0021e474c8c092c195d16a066978750/thumbnail_5491000.jpg","/articles/6225324/Wilmington-City/New-Castle-County/Delaware/Wilmington-council-adopts-FY2026-operating-and-capital-budgets-with-neighborhood-and-parks-investments","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6225324-f93170d5d436a4c15008f74af999e421/orig.mp4?Expires=1771178521&Signature=D2Dh-yTqo0V1MD2czYKsKs-Hh-pScoKOo8rH5Iu-13~2xa73XXujlGg1O8zwbM7tYMvS~Uid~2HIY2B~C5MGvyvI6NOFcaEfMGnr~iayBEj0oi~W~30zuCvCKXD2Hj~FTrkiiIO2zUVh4nvKwl2OU1-qTeb8wxqXvWZmA87dYwP4hNe7BzEaWyqWNSvlEaj1HDVWhb5HIx~y-pja5wZM-RvFkqdLPzyUAMKfIyqQyLhA-j9HigeDQNYjPj0wBQr2LSvCEgJJtcsKlDi1v8Ta~xwLYZJ334y2fWt6IiM9MXZLoPv8c45ly3uS5PLQr~5uFwYhsHuF8hvjtpyEcDSFxA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Wilmington City Council adopted the city’s FY2026 operating budget and related capital plans on Thursday after extensive hearings and amendments. Council approved substitute ordinance 25‑009 (the annual operating budget) and companion capital program and capital budget ordinances (25‑007 and 25‑008).

The council recorded the general fund at $201,700,000 and the water/sewer fund at $95,100,000 in the ordinance presentation. The finance chair, Councilwoman Harley, told the council the budget includes a range of council priorities: public safety funding including money for the police accountability board and recruiting, $2,000,000 for a home‑repair program, $3,000,000 for park capital, funding for HBCU scholarships for Wilmington residents, and $350,000 for minority small business programs and a $350,000 water utility assistance program.

Why it matters: The budget funds core city services and targeted neighborhood programs while responding to the tax reassessment by incorporating the substitute tax‑rate structure. Council members described the process as collaborative; the council held 19 departmental budget hearings in April and worked with the mayor’s administration to revise several items.

Votes and numbers: The six‑year capital program was presented with a multi‑year estimate (the recorded presentation included the figure string presented on the record). The capital budget and program passed with broad support (roll calls showed 13 yeas on capital program votes). The FY2026 operating budget substitute passed in roll call with 11 yeas and recorded oppositions noted on the record.

Program details and administration notes: The substitute budget lowered the initial proposed water rate increase from 6.5% to 5.5% (the water rate change was adopted by a separate ordinance). Administration and council staff said they reallocated certain debt service charges and included a plan to continue monitoring delinquencies and assistance programs. The finance chair flagged investments in neighborhood stabilization (alleyway repairs, tree removals), education advocacy funding and targeted capital for affordable housing; the budget also includes a request for a state bond bill focused on affordable housing.

Next steps and accountability: Council members said they will continue oversight of implementation and urged residents to use available assistance programs. Several councilmembers pledged to pursue longer‑term reforms to assessment and tax administration after the current fiscal year work is complete.

Ending note: Council leaders described the FY2026 package as an attempt to balance city service needs and neighborhood priorities while mitigating short‑term impacts from the county reassessment.","Council approved the FY2026 operating budget and six‑year capital program after a 19‑hearing process; package includes neighborhood stabilization, park capital, home repair and education funding and remains tied to the substituted tax‑rate action.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6225329,"Wilmington council adopts one‑time tax‑rate adjustment amid contested county reassessment",4877,100000,4977000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3539098-a0021e474c8c092c195d16a066978750&start=100&end=4977","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3539098-a0021e474c8c092c195d16a066978750/thumbnail_100000.jpg","/articles/6225329/Wilmington-City/New-Castle-County/Delaware/Wilmington-council-adopts-onetime-taxrate-adjustment-amid-contested-county-reassessment","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6225329-16406926a58b2c8929a752cc1193fdb1/orig.mp4?Expires=1771178521&Signature=cBhyPupZ-aMmCG14J4MjnFYKdcua3yl9N5aXM9SW4Br8XN4yLYUNDaV2MyGBXTuIwVCU54heS89AO3vwUm2R4D7oqLO7eyrvkp2ZFiy~6UGLeM6hZKbN7VyNbvXCNWk6aC~2REclp2BHIZZ3ZOxIx5P~czfHO4s9ViVYZdgD0yQMcD0j-w7CuNA3kSB~2YXwJOfOR8KlcY8NfDAjlUw9Xv0BrGytbsJfuS6Kx4QBeCd9MPtyvJaPPA6xZEeDLI5mrbPFw0NTpnJ9lDGv7jRgoR-vRfLpw2LBD-5SkoesAOgoNVPDTcpwNeTyNiGhcbOEp-~GLAcNHDioTKLIpfoJoQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Wilmington City Council on Thursday approved a substitute ordinance that applies a one‑time tax‑rate adjustment intended to offset anomalies from Newcastle County’s 2024 property reassessment and keep the city’s fiscal 2026 revenues effectively unchanged.

The vote on substitute ordinance 25‑006 passed 8 yeas to 5 nays after more than an hour of debate and extensive public comment on the reassessment process. Councilwoman Harley, sponsor of the substitute, described it as “revenue neutral” and said the two‑rate structure is “a one time adjustment intended to facilitate more equitable taxes across sectors.”

The ordinance moves from last year’s single 21.15 mil rate to new mill figures stated on the record by the sponsor; the council presentation described the rate change as “from the 21.15 mils in fiscal year 20 25 to a 1 time 3.7413 mills for the residential property class and a 5.827 mills for the non residential property classes in fiscal year 20 26.” Harley and administration officials said the substitute is designed so “all residents will not see an increase” while correcting anomalies created by the county’s mass appraisal.

Why it matters: The county‑wide reassessment carried out by contractor Tyler Technologies produced values for many Wilmington parcels that residents and several council members said do not reflect recent sales or on‑the‑ground conditions. City leaders said the substitute rate structure was necessary to pass a balanced budget and to blunt sudden tax shocks while the city and county continue to review assessment methodology.

Debate and dissent: Opponents said the substitute validates a flawed assessment process. Councilman Owens said he “oppose[s] this resolution … based upon a deeply flawed premise and unjust assessments,” arguing the city would be “validating a flawed system” by adopting the rates. Councilwoman Willower warned the change would shift burdens to small businesses and said she “won’t be supporting these new tax rates.” President Congo and two other members also voted no.

Public pressure and review: Dozens of residents, appraisal professionals and community groups addressed council in recent public comments, describing wide disparities between neighborhood sales prices and Tyler Technologies’ assessed values. Council members and the mayor’s office said they have met repeatedly with Newcastle County and Tyler Technologies to press for corrections and more disclosure. The council also adopted a separate resolution directing continued scrutiny of the reassessment data and urging remedies for Wilmington‑specific disparities.

Next steps: Council members said the substitute rate is a stopgap measure to allow passage of the annual budget; they pledged to continue pursuing corrections through appeals, meetings with the county and, if necessary, legal options. The council’s action does not itself change assessment values — it changes the city’s mill rates used to compute tax bills for fiscal 2026.

Ending note: Council leaders emphasized the decision was driven in part by the charter duty to adopt a balanced budget and by near‑term service needs. Several council members said they support continued oversight and possible long‑term changes to how reassessments and appeals are conducted.","City Council voted 8‑5 to approve a substitute ordinance that applies a one‑time rate structure meant to offset Newcastle County’s reassessment; council members and residents urged further review of Tyler Technologies’ methodology.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Channel 28 advocates urge city to reopen community access with new operator team

Council approves 5.5% water rate increase and 6% stormwater hike amid affordability concerns

Wilmington council adopts FY2026 operating and capital budgets with neighborhood and parks investments

Wilmington council adopts one‑time tax‑rate adjustment amid contested county reassessment