Lewes approves $6.5 million budget

Lewes Mayor and City Council unanimously approved its $6.5 million budget – the largest ever – for the 2018-19 fiscal year 2019 at its March 19 meeting. The new fiscal year began April 1.

The budget was balanced with no tax increases and no changes to permit fees.

Mayor Ted Becker said this is the largest budget the city has ever had. The 2017-18 budget was just under $6 million; the budget has grown more than $1 million since fiscal year 2014-15.

Included this year is $70,000 for two new police vehicles – $50,000 from Sussex County grants and $20,000 from the city. One of the new vehicles will replace an aging police car, while the other will be added to the pool for officers.

Council also approved the elimination of the seasonal police force. Of the $31,000 budgeted for seasonals, $13,000 was added to overtime for full-time officers; the police budget was reduced by the remaining $18,000.

Non-union, full-time and part-time employees will receive a 3 percent pay increase, and council expects healthcare premiums for its employees through the state health insurance program to increase 10 percent.

Capital projects planned for in the next year total about $1 million. Most capital expenses will go toward road maintenance, including repaving of the main public beach parking lot for $255,000, the secondary public beach parking lot for $190,000, Beebe and Dewey avenues for $179,000 and Burton Avenue from Third Street to Johnson Avenue for $149,000. Portions of the projects will receive Community Transportation Fund money from state legislators as well as Municipal Street Aid funds from the state.

A summary of the 2018-19 budget will be posted at www.ci.lewes.de.us.