I attended the meeting March 9 where the Cape Henlopen School District outlined the need for a property tax increase of $.25/hundred.
While at this meeting, it was revealed, and this is applicable for all districts in Sussex, that unlike our sister counties, our elected Sussex County Council refuses to put any fees or taxes on new developments.
The question now becomes why? Had there been fees placed on developers it would reduce the need or at the least the amount of property tax increases requested. Some of the burden would shift from existing homeowners to the new developments and homes being constructed here in the county.
Is it fair to solely increase taxes on existing homeowners, many of whom are retirees on fixed incomes, with no children in school, or should council take action and place part of the financial burden for schools on the new home construction which is partially causing the increase in our student population and the need for increased funding. Why do New Castle and Kent counties have some form of revenue levies on developers and new construction, yet our elected council doesn’t enact similar legislation?
We already know and have witnessed our council approves every development brought before it, even when the local residents are united in opposing the construction. A question begging asking and answers is why! What is the reason for council being so cozy with developers at the expense of the county’s established residents. It definitely makes a beleaguered taxpayer wonder. I strongly suggest everyone, whether with or without school-age children, ask that question.
We need to take whatever steps are necessary to force our elected county officials to enact legislation which will shift some if not all of the burden for school funding and other county project to these new developments rather than have us the voters and property owners face more tax increases necessary to fund our growing school districts.
I suspect this is a long shot, but I sincerely hope the editors and reporters of the various newspapers like the Cape Gazette and our local TV and radio stations start to demand answers to this question from our Sussex County elected officials.
Schools need funding, but can seniors and existing residents continue to solely carry the burden?
Kenneth Ciarlone
Lewes
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