Several New Castle County union leaders addressed the questions and concerns of about 20 county residents and employees at a panel-style meeting Tuesday night led by the Civic League for New Castle County at the Delaware State Police Troop 2 Headquarters.
Several attendees showed interest in the financial standing of the county despite its finishing of the past two fiscal years in the black.
The union presidents shared their concerns as well, such as being short staffed in areas where more manpower is needed.
"We're short staffed," Dan Tharby, president of Local 349- skilled trades said. Tharby represents the county's blue collar workers, including those who work on maintaining the parks and sewer lines. "It's getting tougher and tougher."
Joe Lavelle, a retired county police officer who represents the police officers through FOP Lodge 5, said that he feels a sense of frustration when dealing with the county.
A county police officer's starting salary is lower than that of a University of Delaware officer's, he said. The force is also 22 officers short.
There also aren't enough paramedics in the field, said Local 3911 President Kenneth Dunn who represents the paramedics. There are about 100 personnel total, with only about 85 on the streets for the entire county. Staffing thins out even more south of the canal.
On top of emergency personnel being understaffed, concerns and complaints on the budget arose.
One person mentioned that there was a five-percent raise for all appointed county positions last year and that county council has never amended the executive's budget when put before them.
Discontent towards salaries also sparked conversation between attendees who spoke about putting in a FOIA request for more budget information.
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Several New Castle County union leaders addressed the questions and concerns of about 20 county residents and employees at a panel-style meeting Tuesday night led by the Civic League for New Castle County at the Delaware State Police Troop 2 Headquarters.
Several attendees showed interest in the financial standing of the county despite its finishing of the past two fiscal years in the black.
The union presidents shared their concerns as well, such as being short staffed in areas where more manpower is needed.
"We're short staffed," Dan Tharby, president of Local 349- skilled trades said. Tharby represents the county's blue collar workers, including those who work on maintaining the parks and sewer lines. "It's getting tougher and tougher."
Joe Lavelle, a retired county police officer who represents the police officers through FOP Lodge 5, said that he feels a sense of frustration when dealing with the county.
A county police officer's starting salary is lower than that of a University of Delaware officer's, he said. The force is also 22 officers short.
There also aren't enough paramedics in the field, said Local 3911 President Kenneth Dunn who represents the paramedics. There are about 100 personnel total, with only about 85 on the streets for the entire county. Staffing thins out even more south of the canal.
On top of emergency personnel being understaffed, concerns and complaints on the budget arose.
One person mentioned that there was a five-percent raise for all appointed county positions last year and that county council has never amended the executive's budget when put before them.
Discontent towards salaries also sparked conversation between attendees who spoke about putting in a FOIA request for more budget information.
