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New Castle County Fire Service Strategic Planning Committee Meeting

January 15, 2026 · Elsmere, DE
Source: Meeting minutes 2026-01-15 (PDF, 10 pp)
Retrieved April 14, 2026 from www.newcastlede.gov ↗
Confidence: 100%
High

Attendees

Kenny Dunn (Co-Chairman)
Dennis Godek (Co-Chairman)
Dave Del Grande (Member)
Bruce Pinkett (Member)
Joe Day (Member)
Brandon Toole (Councilman)
Kevin Caneco (Councilman)
Kevin Cowperthwait (Member)
Gordon Edwards (Member)
Fran Williams (Member)
Dan Burris (Member)
Lynn Wells (Member)
John Adams (Member)
Stephanie Warren (Staff Person)
Aaron Goldstein (County Attorney)
✓ Present: 15/15

Decisions

Agenda Items

#1

Call to Order and Roll Call

The meeting was called to order at 2:00pm by Co-Chair Kenny Dunn.

#2

Quorum Requirements

Discussion was held on whether voting should take place when less than 7 members are present.

#3

Committee Reporting Timeline and Executive Order Deadline

Committee members reiterated concerns that completion of the Committee’s work by March 1, 2026, is not feasible.

#4

Budget and Funding Stabilization: Short-Term Approach (FY27)

The Committee intends to request continued Grant-In-Aid and engage in discussions with the Administration regarding potential increases.

#5

Long-Term Funding Considerations, Sustainable Funding Models and Movement of Funding to a Budget Line Item

Co-Chair Kenny Dunn introduced discussion on long-term funding sustainability and the potential movement of fire service funding from Grant-In-Aid to a formal budget line item.

#6

Impact Fees – Overview and Future Considerations

Co-Chair Kenny Dunn invited Joe Day, the Land Use representative, to provide an overview of fire service impact fees and future considerations.

#7

Volunteer Fire Service Assistance Fund (Building Permit Fee)

Program Overview: Established in 2010; surcharge applied to residential and non-residential building permits.

#8

Capital Financing and Bonding

Fire Companies cannot directly participate in the County capital bond program.

#9

Next Steps

Members will individually review data and prioritize recommendations