Sussex County Council proposed a $300 million budget for Fiscal 2027 that will fund a variety of local services, including public safety, sewer expansions and open space preservation. The budget does include a new building permit surcharge for independent public-school districts, centralized billing and an ambulance purchase cost share programs for local fire and EMS companies.
“This budget is forward looking to a future that presents new challenges for county government, but it continues the past traditions of limited government, disciplined spending and delivering critical public services for the best value possible,” County Administrator Todd F. Lawson said. “Times and demands may change, but the need for sound financial planning remains.”
The overall budget is up $15 million, or 5.2 percent, over Fiscal 2026, but the property tax rate of 2.14 cents per $100 of assessed value, set last year after the court-ordered reassessment project did not change. Budget increases are largely due to capital expenses for public wastewater projects, the rising costs of day-to-day operations managed by the general fund and delivering critical public services.
Highlights of the proposed budget include $74.6 million for wastewater infrastructure; $7.6 million for local fire and ambulance companies; $7.4 million to acquire open space and farmland in order to preserve it for the future; $3.4 million for a new paramedic station in Dewey Beach, Lincoln and Milton; as well as $1.25 million for affordable housing initiatives.
The affordable housing initiatives include rehabilitation for low-income household as well as homebuying settlement assistance. Up to $7 million of the budget is new funding expected from a $5 per $1,000 construction value surcharge on building permits that will be directed toward school districts for capacity-related capital needs.
The budget also includes $1 million for municipalities to provide law enforcement services and a number of fee increases, including $36 annually for sewer and $90 annually for unmetered water on public utility systems. County revenue comes from a variety of sources, including property taxes, realty transfer taxes, building permits and other service fees.
“Our constituents benefit thanks to the hard work of these folks who keep the taxpayers top of mind every budget year,” President Doug Hudson said in praise for Lawson and Finance Director Gina A. Jennings.
A public hearing will be held on June 16 at 10 AM I Council Chambers, located at 2 The Circle, Georgetown. The public can comment on that date or submit comments online. By law, the county must adopt a budget by June 30. A copy of the budget is available online.
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