News Briefs 8/19/25
Sussex County 2026 tax bills on their way
The Sussex County Business Services Office has begun issuing bills for the 2026 fiscal year, totaling an estimated $214 million in tax revenue. Each August, Sussex County government issues tens of thousands of tax bills for the estimated 203,000 parcels in the county, with revenue collected funding a variety of local public services. Bills can be viewed online at munis.sussexcountyde.gov/css/citizens/RealEstate.
For property owners without mortgage escrow accounts, paper copies will be mailed during August, with payment due by Sept. 30. Tax bills feature an easy-to-read format and several payment options for the public’s convenience.
Sussex County accepts tax payments by cash, check, money order and debit or credit cards. Taxpayers have different options to make their payments: through the mortgage lender, online by credit card or e-check at sussexcountyde.gov, by regular mail, by calling 1-866-791-9802 (have tax bill available for reference) and in person at the County Administrative Offices, 2 The Circle, Georgetown.
For more information, call 302-855-7871.
Sussex County unveils updated tax calculator
Sussex County tax bills for the 2026 fiscal year have started going out to property owners, and county officials recently provided an update on the property reassessment project.
To assist the public, the county has designed a new tax calculator, building off an earlier version that worked on estimates only. The new tool is parcel-specific and is powered with real numbers, including each property’s actual assessed value and various property tax rates since set by the county and the local, independent school districts.
County Finance Director Gina A. Jennings said the county wants to give the public as much information as possible so property owners have a clear understanding of why their tax bills may be higher, or lower in some cases, than the previous year.
“There are multiple reasons beyond just the assessment that could change bills, so we wanted to create a calculator that showed the difference between tax bills last year versus this year,” Jennings said. “We believe the new calculator will be a handy tool in providing a side-by-side comparison of the two different tax years.”
See the calculator at sussexcountyde.gov/2025-property-tax-calculator.
Sussex County property tax bills are issued in August, with payment due by Tuesday, Sept. 30.
Cape school board to meet Aug. 21
The Cape Henlopen School District board will meet at 6 p.m., Thursday, Aug. 21, at H.O. Brittingham Elementary School in Milton.
The board will review its FY 2026 preliminary budget and FY 2026 first-quarter financial position report.
Members will also discuss a certificate of necessity, board policy No. 116 regarding Title IX, consolidation of leave policies, and Cape High’s Italian world language program curriculum.
To view the full agenda, visit capehenlopenschools.com/board-of-education.
Rehoboth planners to meet Aug. 22
The Rehoboth Beach Planning Commission will meet at 1:30 p.m., Friday, Aug. 22, at city hall, 229 Rehoboth Ave. The agenda includes a preliminary review of a partitioning at 1001 Scarborough Ave. Ext. and a preliminary review of a lot consolidation at 517 Stockley St. Ext.
A full agenda, meeting materials and a livestream are accessible at cityofrehoboth.civicweb.net. Only in-person attendees may make comments. For more information, contact the city at 302-227-6181 or information@cityofrehoboth.com.
Route 24 Alliance to discuss growth
The Route 24 Alliance will hold a community meeting from 2:30 to 4 p.m., Sunday, Aug. 24, at Delaware State Police Troop 7, 19444 Mulberry Road, Lewes.
The main topic will be the proposed change of zone from AR-1 agricultural-residential to C-4 planned commercial district for the Belle Mead development at Love Creek Farm on Route 24 near Lewes, which the alliance opposes. The proposed Atlantic Fields retail center on Route 24 will also be discussed.
Sussex County Council is set to hold a public hearing on the Belle Mead project Tuesday, Sept. 16. The Atlantic Fields hearing date is Wednesday, Sept. 17.
For details, go to rt24alliance.com/home.
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American Legion to host 9/11 ceremony
American Legion Auxiliary Unit 28 will hold its annual 9/11 candlelight ceremony at 6 p.m., Thursday, Sept. 11, at American Legion Post 28 pavilion, 31768 Legion Road, Millsboro. This event is open to the community. For more information, go to alpost28.com.
TangerKids educator grant applications due Oct. 18
Tanger Outlets Rehoboth continues its commitment to investing in the local community’s educational resources with the launch of the 2025 TangerKids Grants Program. Applications are being accepted through Saturday, Oct. 18, at grants.tanger.com.
Tanger Outlets invites Delaware educators to identify and apply for grants meeting their school’s specific needs as they work to create a more productive and engaging learning environment.
This year, Tanger has earmarked a significant portion of grants to support underserved schools, accessibility programs and student needs. Faculty members at public and private schools from pre-K to grade 12 are eligible to participate.
Award recipients will be announced in January.
Launched in 1996, Tanger’s program has contributed more than $3.7 million to school-focused initiatives in the communities it serves.
La Red in line for $2M for upgrades
La Red Health Center is expected to get $2 million in funding for capital improvements at its Georgetown facility. The funding was announced as part of a package under Congress’ Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration and related agencies funding bill.
In addition, La Red is set to receive $720,000 for improvements to its Seaford health center, and $2.208 million will go to the Delaware Division of Communications to upgrade emergency radio towers in Kent and Sussex counties.
Under the Military Construction and Veterans Affairs and related agencies funding bill, $7.5 million for upgrades will go to to the Dagsboro Army National Guard Readiness Center.
U.S. Sens. Chris Coons and Lisa Blunt Rochester celebrated the Senate recently advancing the first fiscal year 2026 spending bills, which will deliver more than $75 million in federal investments for Delaware. The three bills, which passed with significant bipartisan support, provide funding for the departments of Veterans Affairs and Agriculture, the Food and Drug Administration, military construction projects and the operations of the legislative branch.
Rehoboth amends healthcare code
During a meeting Aug. 15, Rehoboth Beach commissioners approved an amendment to city code related to employee health insurance coverage. As part of the approved budget for the current fiscal year, which began April 1, there was a change in the cost share for employee health insurance coverage. The city now provides medical health insurance plans to full-time employees at 100% of the cost. The city also covers 80% for employee dependents. Going from 90% to 100% employee coverage increased the health insurance cost by $111,677. Commissioners also amended code to say that while the city is required to offer coverage for the dependents of retirees, it is not required to pay any portion of the coverage. Retiree dependent coverage is paid by the retiree.
Rehoboth awards street paving contract
During an Aug. 15 meeting, Rehoboth Beach commissioners awarded a $681,000 contract to Mumford & Miller to do the city’s annual street paving and water main replacement project.
The repaving will occur along the length of Christian Street, and water main replacement and street repaving will take place on Munson Street between Bayard and Scarborough avenues.
The city budgeted $585,000 for paving and $350,000 for water main replacement in the current fiscal year, which also includes $85,000 for construction management to consultant Wallace Montgomery.
Work will begin sometime after Tuesday, Sept. 16, and is expected to be completed by Thanksgiving.
Rehoboth sunsets task force, committee
As part of its ongoing effort to consolidate task forces and committees, Rehoboth Beach commissioners sunsetted the communications committee and the parking garage task force during an Aug. 15 meeting. Earlier this year, commissioners voted in favor of reducing the number of advisory committees from five to two. The two new advisory committees are the Public Safety Advisory Committee and the Environment Advisory Committee.
There are a number of code- or charter-required committees and boards not included as part of the discussion; they are the planning commission, board of adjustment, parks and shade tree, audit, board of elections and personnel groups.
