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Sussex officials adopt $143 million budget

Building-related revenue continues to fuel county’s economy
June 16, 2017

The 2018 Sussex County fiscal year budget will have limited financial impact on residents yet residents will see increased police protection, expanded sewer infrastructure, new paramedic stations and a pilot project to expand broadband into rural areas. The county will pull money from its cash reserves to fund most of the initiatives.

At its June 13 meeting, Sussex County Council voted 4-0 to adopt a $143 million budget with a $68.7 million operating fund, $33 million for capital projects, $36 million for the water and sewer fund and $5.9 million for the pension fund.

The budget includes no change in current property tax rates, sewer and water service charges or building permit fees; however, there are modest increases for one-time sewer connections, plan review, and some marriage bureau fees.

The realty transfer tax continues to be the county's main source of income at a projected $25 million in fiscal year 2017. The county has budgeted $20 million in revenue from the tax in fiscal 2018. Income from the tax has risen each year since 2010. Building-related revenue in the county increased $1.1 million – 14 percent – in fiscal year 2017.

More than half of every dollar collected by the county goes to public safety, which includes hiring additional Delaware State Police troopers, grants to local law enforcement, support for local fire and ambulance services and the county's EMS and emergency preparedness departments, an increase of $850,000.

Among big-ticket items in the budget is nearly $3.5 million to develop a new county business park; $1.1 million for a pilot program to expand broadband; $2.9 million for additional state troopers, a $800,000 increase; $15.4 million for the county's paramedic program; $3.6 million to support the county's local fire and ambulance services, a $98,000 increase; nearly $3 million for airport improvements; and $400,000 for a new mobile command unit.

Also included in the budget is $10 million in additional contributions to pension funds; $600,000 for economic development programs; and $5.5 million for the county's 11 independent libraries, a $362,000 increase.

Sussex officials will spend $8 million in capital funding to begin phased, major upgrades at the South Coastal, Inland Bays and Wolfe Neck regional wastewater facilities, improvements expected to double treatment capacity, as well as create interconnections with other public and private utilities to better manage loads during peak demand and wet seasons.

Also in the budget is $950,000 to construct two new EMS stations in the Seaford/Blades and Dagsboro districts.

Included is an increase of $1.7 million in grant-in-aid funding, which includes – among many others – councilmanic, library, fire and ambulance, housing and local law enforcement grants.

By law, Sussex County must adopt a balanced budget by June 30 each year.

“We believe this is a fair, reasonable approach to funding the county’s obligations today and in the year to come,” said County Administrator Todd Lawson. “This budget furthers the county’s commitment to advancing public safety, protecting the environment and promoting the general welfare of the people we serve.”

Copies of the budget, as well as the accompanying budget presentation, can be downloaded from the county’s website at sussexcountyde.gov/county-budget.

 

Resident has harsh words for council

Only one person spoke during the June 13 public hearing on Sussex County’s budget. Greenwood resident Dan Kramer had harsh words for county council. He held up a public notice claiming that it did not contain all of the budget information proposed in the ordinance council was set to vote on.

One example, he said, was the proposed 2.4 percent cost-of-living raise for county employees and the pay scale was not listed. 

When Council President Mike Vincent, R-Seaford, asked Finance Director Gina Jennings for clarification, she said the ordinance contained all pertinent information.

Kramer also told council that they should pay closer attention to county employees. “Workers have come to me and told me they didn’t come close to getting their raises,” he said.

Vincent told Kramer that he was incorrect and suggested that workers would have come to council members with issues.

“They are scared to death to come to you because they would get fired,” Kramer said.

“That’s not the case,” Vincent said.

“I haven't seen any hesitation from employees who want to see me. I think they should stop visiting Mr. Kramer’s office and come see us,” said Councilman George Cole, R-Ocean View.

 

 

BUDGET BREAKDOWN

 

General fund – $68.7 million

Capital projects, general fund – $13.4 million

Water and sewer fund – $36 million

Capital projects, water and sewer – $19.6 million

Pension funds – $5.9 million

Total = $143. 8 million

 

A look at fiscal 2017:

21 rezoning, 24 conditional-use, 20 subdivision and 209 board of adjustment applications.

Home inspections and building code inspections increased more than 10 percent.

 

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