Sussex County Council unanimously approved the proposed $117.7 million budget for the 2014 fiscal year that begins July 1.
A recovering housing market, leading to a projected uptick in local realty transfer tax revenue, aided the budget after several lean years. Additionally, Sussex does not operate a county police department. The county does help pay for additional state troopers.
This year marks the 24th year in a row the county’s property tax rate has remained at 44.5 cents per $100 of assessed value. The average county tax bill for a single-family home remains around $100 annually, not including independent school district taxes.
Also, the majority of the county’s 57,000 public wastewater customers received good news. County sewer customers’ rates will decrease, depending on the district, thanks to a recent refinancing and the retirement of long-term debt.
“This budget continues Sussex County’s long tradition of prudent, measured spending while ensuring essential public services remain the best value around,” County Administrator Todd F. Lawson said. “Sussex County is tremendously proud of the fact that, unlike many others, we can continue to run efficiently and effectively with a tax rate set a generation ago. It’s a tremendous feat.”
While the overall budget is down from the 2013 plan, the general fund portion of the budget is expected to rise by 8 percent, or $3.7 million. That is due in part to an expected surplus later this year, as well as an expected increase in revenues from realty transfer taxes, building permit and zoning fees, and Recorder of Deeds fees — all tied to an improving local housing market. The general fund portion of the budget pays for day-to-day operations and services offered by county government.
The new budget maintains grant funding for local service providers, including volunteer fire companies, municipal police departments, local libraries and non-profit community groups, while increasing funding for the County’s housing rehabilitation program to assist lower-income households.
The proposed budget includes a one-time bonus for the County’s nearly 500 employees.
