Sussex votes 4-0 to approve budget with no tax increases

Sussex Countians can look forward to another year of county services without a significant increase in the price tag.

The $143 million budget for fiscal year 2018 calls for no increase in taxes, relying on an increase in service fees for some departments, federal and state grants and additional funds from reserves to cover increased costs.

The Sussex County Council voted Tuesday in Georgetown to approve the budget for the fiscal year beginning July 1.

Budget approval was required by law before June 30.

"Sussex County taxpayers can count on another year of quality public services at an affordable price," said county communications director Chip Guy in a press release.

 READ MORE: Sussex County proposes $143 million budget

Following one public comment at the June 13 council meeting about a 2.3 percent cost of living increase for county employees included in the budget, the council voted 4-0 to approve the ordinance to adopt the budget as presented. Council member Rob Arlett was absent from the meeting.

Citing a general increase in costs but an increase in revenues from fees from some departments — including increases in Marriage Bureau fees and a change in the grant differential in the county's town realty transfer taxes, both approved just before presentation of the budget approval ordinance — and an increase in revenues from existing taxes and water and sewer service fees, county finance director Gina Jennings presented a $143.8 million budget that required no increases in property tax rates, sewer and water service charges, or building permit fees.

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As laid out in the proposal, 55 percent of the budget is for public safety, including police, fire and emergency medical services; 15 percent for government costs including county council, administrative costs, legal fees, finance, and constitutional offices like the Marriage Bureau, Register of Wills, Recorder of Deeds and Sheriff's Department; 14 percent for public libraries; 7 percent for special services including economic development, airport operations and maintenance, county engineering administration and public works; 5 percent for low-income housing rehabilitation and county support, and 4 percent for code enforcement, planning and zoning, permitting and addressing.

Included in the budget are a continuation of $2.2 million paid to the state for half of the 44 additional Delaware State Police troopers provided to the county, an increase in funding for emergency medical services in the Seaford area, $1 million in funding for a pilot project to extend high-speed internet to rural areas with a fiber optic network, and $8 million in capital funding for upgrades of regional wastewater facilities to nearly double their capacity.

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The budget also includes hiring 10 new employees to fill positions that have been vacant since 2009.

“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 F. Lawson at the original budget presentation in May, citing the county’s commitment to public safety, environmental protection and promoting the general welfare of the public.

County Council President Michael Vincent said the adopted budget illustrates the county’s long-standing commitment to conservative fiscal management while providing for critical services, including public safety and wastewater management.

“Our constituents are our customers, and they expect the biggest bang for their buck,” Vincent said in a press release. “I am pleased at the work this county is able to accomplish each year, no matter the economy or the budget constraints. And I’m sure the taxpayers appreciate it, too.”