Delaware County is governed by a three-member elected Board of Commissioners and a full-time appointed county administrator. The other principal officials of the county government include the auditor, treasurer, prosecutor, two common pleas judges and a probate-juvenile court judge. The county's general fund budget is supplemented by a roads and bridges tax for construction and maintenance of an extensive county road system covering nearly 500 miles. General fund revenues come from a real estate tax and a point six two five percent permissive sales tax.

Diversified industry, agriculture and retail and service establishments provide a wide range of job opportunities in the county. The local employment level is consistently among the highest in the state and nation.

The City of Delaware is a full-service municipality, which operates under a Council-Manager form of Government. Seven politically non-partisan council persons are elected to four year terms, with three council members serving at-large and four council members serving as ward representatives. City Council appoints a City Manager, who is responsible for the administrative affairs of the City. City revenues are primarily derived from an income tax and a property tax.

The City owns and operates municipal water treatment and distribution as well as wastewater collection and treatment utilities. Both utilities comply with all current EPA requirements and have adequate capacity to meet projected needs for substantial growth and development.

The City of Delaware has an excellent class 4 (ISO) fire rating from the Insurance Services Office of America. The City Fire Department routinely conducts extensive fire training in all industrial sectors as well as safety programs at the local schools. Both the City and County operate Emergency Medical Services with qualified paramedics and fully equipped medical squad vehicles, including radio links to Grady Memorial Hospital. A county-wide 9-1-1 emergency telephone system went on line in 1990, with PSAP's operated at both the City and County levels.

The City Police Department is a progressive operation providing many safety programs, crime prevention, standard preventive patrol and community services coordination as well as specialized protection via K-9 unit, detective division and also participates with the County in a special Tactical Unit.

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