Should Rehoboth Beach try to resume control of Deauville Beach?

It’s a topic Commissioner Chris Galanty would like to see discussed, because, he said, it was an issue people repeatedly brought up while he was on the campaign trail last summer.

“The management of the beach is not quite what it used to be, and they were interested in revisiting getting it back under the control of the city,” said Galanty during a commissioner meeting Jan. 5. 

The topic wasn't on the agenda, but brought forward during the future agenda topics item at the end of the meeting. There was no discussion, but Commissioner Suzanne Goode said she’d like to see it on an agenda as soon as possible in hopes that something could be done this summer.

The city had been leasing Deauville Beach, about 10 acres that fall within city limits, from the Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control since 1975. The previous contract called for a $2,500 administrative fee due at the beginning of the lease, with an annual fee of $1.

In December 2023, city staff said the existing 10-year lease with DNREC expired at the end of June and that they had been in negotiations with them since March.

Staff said DNREC wanted to increase the amount collected from the city. As proposed, the annual lease fee would’ve been 10% of all daily parking and annual pass revenue received at Deauville Beach. Staff estimated that would be $10,000 to $12,000 annually, and those terms were negotiated down from the original proposal of 15% of all revenue, which would also have included tennis court fees and food stand sales.

Staff also estimated that between lifeguards, parking enforcement, tennis court maintenance, rental of port-a-potties and other items, the city spent $150,000 per year at Deauville Beach.

In January 2024, city commissioners declined the state’s offer and tasked staff with to begin negotiations over.

At the time, Mayor Stan Mills said he thought DNREC’s proposal was terrible. The city has done an excellent job as caretakers of the land, he said.

“I just think DNREC is just being very greedy,” Mills said.

Former Commissioner Francis “Bunky” Markert described the proposed lease as a kick to the teeth and a little irritating.

A month later, on Valentine’s Day 2024, DNREC announced it would assume day-to-day management of Deauville Beach from the city for the 2024 season.

It’s worth noting, after squabbling with the state over $12,000, city officials announced the hiring of City Manager Taylour Tedder in April 2024. Among other things, his contract calls for a $250,000 annual salary, plus $50,000 in moving expenses and a $750,000 home loan that will be forgiven in full if he stays for seven years. Additionally, the city remains in a lawsuit over the contract, which, as of mid-September, had cost the city nearly $200,000 to defend.

Rehoboth resident Elise Burns is one of the constituents who has discussed the issue with Galanty and has heard that other neighbors would like to open up discussions.

“I still think it's a shame that Rehoboth lost Deauville,” said Burns in an email. “I would like to see the city resume talks with the state and I am heartened to hear that Chris has this as one of his priorities.  The city staff may be happy not to have the headaches, but the residents miss our beach.”

Burns said the state’s lifeguards are well trained, but she doesn’t think the state takes good care of the beach. They clean the beach very seldom and have a ridiculous rake they put on the back of a jeep to clean the beach – maybe twice a week, she said.

It’s not just beach cleanliness, said Burns. There are always dogs on the beach, there are tents to deal with, both of which are not allowed on the beaches Rehoboth maintains, and she’s heard the tennis courts are not maintained well.

It doesn’t appear DNREC wants the city to resume control.

Matt Ritter, Delaware State Parks director, said they are always willing to talk with anyone requesting conversation, but DNREC is not looking to transition the management at this time.

“We have made, or are making, significant investment into the site and already began sales of this year’s annual passes,” said Ritter in an email. “Overall, we are extremely happy with the investments and success we have seen at the site, and look forward to continuing to provide a great opportunity for visitors to recreate.”

There will be renovations and repairs to the tennis courts this spring, said Ritter.

As mayor, and in conjunction with staff, Mills sets meeting agendas.

Mills couldn’t be reached for comment, but Brooke Thaler, city communications manager, said Mills intends to place the topic on a future meeting agenda, but she didn’t know when that would be.