In case you missed it, Delaware County Council hired a firm the other day to look at the county's financial woes.

Delaware County Council unanimously approved an agreement Wednesday with a Harrisburg-based consulting firm which is expected to find solutions to funding shortfalls the county faces for its enhanced 911 system and the Fair Acres Geriatric Center.

Council’s agreement is with Capitol Strategies Group LLC. The cost of the contract is about $86,000 and will expire at the end of this year.

In recent years, county officials have said the two largest cost drivers in the county budget are the 911 Center and the county-owned Fair Acres Geriatric Center, both located in Middletown. Council unanimously approved its 2013 budget in December. The $330 million spending plan included a 2.8 percent tax hike.

In addition to the 2.8 percent tax hike, council decided to give all county employees a 2 percent raise this year.

 

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So, to recap, the county supposedly has had serious funding shortfalls for the 911 Center and Fair Acres in recent years. The 2013 budget included a 2.8 percent tax hike, 2 percent raises for all county employees ... and, oh wait, am I forgetting something? Now, we have a consulting firm looking at the funding shortfalls at a pricetag of $86,000. Hmm ...