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Sussex council approves $177 million budget

Public safety, wastewater infrastructure highlight expenses
June 22, 2018

Sussex County Council this week unanimously approved a $177 million budget for the 2019 fiscal year, which begins July 1. The budget includes no property tax increases and includes funding for an additional 22 Delaware State Police troopers in Sussex County.

Finance Director Gina Jennings told council June 19 that the general fund budget went up by $5.4 million, with much of that, $3.6 million, going to grant-in-aid projects. An additional $900,000 each is going towards emergency preparedness for paramedics and emergency responders and pension contributions for county employees.

The only fee increases in the budget are for document printing costs at the Recorder of Deeds office - in an effort to encourage online recording - and a $6 increase in sewer and water service charges. For county taxpayers, 58 cents of every tax dollar goes into public safety, according to the county’s budget. The county will spend $16 million for paramedic services and $3.1 million for additional state troopers. The budget also provides nearly $600,000 for local law enforcement grants.

The county plans to spend big on wastewater infrastructure projects, with the largest share - $21 million - going towards paying for the county’s share of Rehoboth Beach’s new ocean outfall. The county holds a 40 percent stake in the project, as Rehoboth treats wastewater from Dewey Beach, North Shores and Henlopen Acres. There will also be $6 million spent on Unified Sewer District expansion and a combined $7 million in improvements to the Inland Bays and South Coastal regional wastewater facilities.

The majority of the county’s revenue still comes from real estate transfer tax, projected at $22 million for 2019. Building-related tax revenue in the county has increased by $2.8 million, according to the budget, with most of that coming from deeds and permit and zoning fees. Realty transfer taxes and property taxes account for more than 50 percent of the county’s revenue. According to the budget, the county puts 93 percent of its transfer tax revenue into public safety. The county is estimating $14 million in revenues from property taxes.

The budget includes $1 million to increase broadband services to rural areas of the county and $1.5 million for farmland preservation. “Sussex County is a growing community with a bustling economy, and with that comes an unending need for a variety of local services,” said County Administrator Todd Lawson. “It’s imperative that county government remain responsive to the changing needs, while being fiscally responsible to the taxpayers, and this budget reflects that balance.”

Council President Mike Vincent said, “We are fortunate to be in a financial position where the county has the means to meet its day-to-day obligations while being able to proactively invest in our community for the next generation.”

 

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