UPDATED: Sussex County Council Approves FY 2026 Budget
UPDATED – 06/17/25 – The Sussex County Council has approved a proposed $285.1-million FY 2026 budget – the new fiscal year begins on July 1st. After reassessment, Sussex County has a new property tax rate of 2.14 cents per $100 of assessed value – lowered from 44.5 cents. This compensates for higher property valuations and keeps the County ‘revenue neutral’ in the amount that is collected in property taxes from one year to the next.
The overall budget is up nearly $20 million, or 7.3 percent, over the current year, fueled largely by capital expenses for public wastewater improvements, the general fund portion of the budget that pays for day-to-day operations, meantime, is rising just $4 million, or 4.4 percent.
Among the highlights in the now-adopted FY2026 budget, the plan includes:
- $76.7 million for wastewater infrastructure, including expansion of two treatment plants, new service areas, increased capacity, and other upgrades to the County utility systems;
- $7.4 million to purchase open space and farmland, preserving it for the future;
- Increased funding, from $4.6 million to $5.8 million, for the County’s contract with the State of Delaware for supplemental state police troopers assigned to Sussex County;
- $6 million for local fire companies and ambulance squads to help with operational costs, including paid EMT salaries;
- Increased funding, from $900,000 to $1.2 million, for municipalities providing local law enforcement services;
- $1.25 million for affordable housing initiatives, including rehabilitation for low-income households, as well as home-buying settlement assistance.
- $2.4 million, for the design, planning, and construction of paramedic stations in the Dewey Beach, Lincoln, and Milton areas.
Copies of the Fiscal Year 2026 budget, as well as the accompanying budget presentation, can be downloaded from the Sussex County website.
During Council Comment, Councilman Matt Lloyd told the Council that he has appointees in both the Planning & Zoning Commission and Board of Adjustments and plans to make changes. He told the Council that he is planning to introduce Jeff Allen as his appointee for District 1 for the Planning & Zoning commission at the next Council meeting. Current District 1 P&Z Commissioner, Bob Wheatley has been a commission member since 1995. Lloyd did not name a potential appointee for BOA.
The Council had public hearings on five Conditional Use applications during the afternoon session.
- CU 2524 – Brian Rowe – landscaping business on Lynch Road, Selbyville
- Approved 5-0
- CU 2484 – Dick Ennis, Inc – Boat repair facility with outdoor boat & RV storage, Landscape business & construction business – Layton Davis Road, se of Route 24, Oak Orchard
- Approved 5-0
- CU 2503 – Hastings Community Energy Initiative, LLC – solar facility 33.69 acres – Normandy Lane off E Seventh Street, Blades
- Defer 5-0
- CU 2583 – Tharros Village/ C/O Code Purple at the Cape – campground for unhoused at former DSP Troop 7 location on 7.16 acres on Route 1, Lewes
- Approved 3-2 Steve McCarron & Matt Lloyd voted no
- CU 2557 – Stockley Materials – preparation, processing & storage of material in relation to existing borrow pit in area of Cedar Lane/Peterkins Road – south of Governor Stockley Road, Georgetown
- Defer (to 1st meeting in July) 5-0
The Sussex County Council is scheduled to meet next on Tuesday, June 24th beginning at 1:30pm in the County Administration Building on The Circle in Georgetown.
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ORIGINAL STORY – 06/16/25 – The Sussex County Council will hold public hearings Tuesday morning on the proposed FY2026 budget. There will be a public hearing on the proposed budget, assessment rolls for sewer and water districts, various rates for the sewer and water districts and proposed increases in fees charged by the Sheriff. The Council will also hear a presentation and update with the Sussex County Land Trust.
There are also public hearings on five conditional use applications during the afternoon session – including Tharros Village – for a campground for the unhoused at the former DSP Troop 7 location on Coastal Highway in Lewes.
Tuesday’s meeting begins at 10am in the County Administration Building on The Circle in Georgetown.
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