Dewey to evaluate budget process in Jan. 16 workshop amid accuracy concerns
Dewey Beach officials plan to take a closer look at the town’s annual budget process during a Fiscal Year 2027 town council budget workshop set for 1 p.m., Friday, Jan. 16, amid concerns about the accuracy of its projections.
Last fiscal year, the town exceeded its projected expenditures by 6 to 7 percent. This year, according to the latest financial reports, the town is over by about 9.3%.
“We’re going to get squeezed at some point,” Commissioner Gary Persinger said.
The town is still on track to end the year with a net gain, but not as big a gain as officials had expected.
Fortunately, in the past few years, the town has had enough excess revenue to make up for its overspending. At some point, though, it may run out of cushion.
Persinger urged the council to have honest, realistic conversations about the process and how to improve it during the workshop, which will take place at the town lifesaving station.
For a link to join the workshop virtually, visit townofdeweybeach.gov/meetings.
To read more about Dewey’s budget concerns, visit tinyurl.com/y3fy3hbd.
Ellen McIntyre is a reporter covering education and all things Dewey Beach. She graduated with a bachelor’s degree in journalism from Penn State - Schreyer Honors College in May 2024, then completed an internship writing for the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. In 2023, she covered the Women’s World Cup in New Zealand as a freelancer for the Associated Press and saw her work published by outlets including The Washington Post and Fox Sports. Her variety of reporting experience covers crime and courts, investigations, politics and the arts. As a Hockessin, Delaware native, Ellen is happy to be back in her home state, though she enjoys traveling and learning about new cultures. She also loves live music, reading, hiking and spending time in nature.
