Posts Tagged ‘Sussex County Council’
Sussex County Council Tables Possible Moratorium on Cluster Subdivisions; Hears from Librarians
UPDATE – 03/17/26 –Â The Sussex County Council faced a mostly full house – of Sussex County librarians and library supporters who all asked the Council to support an increase in the library tax – and if that is not an option this year, to create a library funding task force – made up of county…
Read MoreUPDATED: Sussex County Council to Meet Tuesday – Hear More on Land Use Code Ordinance Amendments
UPDATED – 03/10/26 –Â The Sussex County Council met Tuesday afternoon in the Council Chambers in Georgetown. During public comment the Council heard from Beth DeFrancis, a member of the Board of Trustees of the Frankford Public Library. She is asking support for a modest adjustment to the library tax – an increase of about a…
Read MoreSussex County Council Approves Property Management Agreement for Pepper Fork Preserve & Discussed Land Use Reform Code Ordinances
UPDATED – 03/03/26 –Â The Council recognized retiree Robert Mauch, III, who was the Public Safety Emergency Services Deputy Director and retired after 26 years and one month serving Sussex County. County Administrator read a tribute and Mauch was presented with a plaque. He told the Council that he’s seen two constants throughout his career –…
Read MoreUPDATED: Sussex County Council Approves Updated Sussex County Emergency Operations Plan
UPDATED – 02/10/26 –Â The Sussex County Council had a short agenda and began this week’s meeting at 1pm. County Administrator Todd Lawson recognized the groups that took part in this year’s Caroling on the Circle Food Drive, which includes schools and several area businesses. In actual food donations, Rehoboth Elementary School brought in the most…
Read MoreUPDATED: Sussex County Council Votes to Deny Atlantic Fields
UPDATED – 01/13/26 –Â The Sussex County Council met Tuesday afternoon with a light agenda – but a big vote in Old Business that packed the chamber. The Council revisited Change of Zone No. 2037 on behalf of Mulberry Knoll Associates, LLC – for a project called Atlantic Fields, that would be located on over 73…
Read MoreSussex County Council Re-elects Council President & Vice President
The Sussex County Council is back in session for the new year. Their first order of business was to elect Council officers. There will be no change – Doug Hudson was re-elected as Council President and John Rieley was re-elected as Council Vice President. At the first meeting of each year not only elects officers,…
Read MoreUPDATED: Sussex County Council Approves Belmead Farm Change of Zone & Opts to Join Litigation Challenging SB 159 & 199
UPDATED – 12/17/25 –Â After executive session the Sussex County Council returned to chambers and Council President Doug Hudson read a motion that Sussex County would join as a party in the litigation being filed by the Town of Fenwick Island in challenging the legality of SB 159 and SB 199, which was enacted during the…
Read MoreUPDATED: Sussex County Council Honored Cape Cross Country and was Honored by the American Planning Association
UPDATED – 12/09/25 – Sussex County Council held a split meeting. The morning session was held at the Public Safety Complex and was a workshop-style meeting with the Office of State Planning Coordination. That meeting included not only the County Council and members of the Office of State Planning Coordination, but two State Cabinet Secretaries –…
Read More Delaware Superior Court Stays Proceedings in US Wind, Sussex County Council Substation Litigation
The Delaware Superior Court has paused proceedings in the litigation involving US Wind and the Sussex County Council over a denied permit for an electric substation tied to an offshore wind project. In a statement responding to the court’s order, State Sen. Stephanie Hansen said the pause supports the General Assembly’s authority in such matters…
Read MoreUPDATED: Sussex County Council has Amended the Retail Marijuana Store Ordinance
UPDATED – 11/18/25 – The Sussex County Council recognized a county retiree – Dina Monaco for 45 years of service to Sussex County! Monaco was most recently a Financial Representative III. She received a proclamation and plaque from the Council The Council filled a District 1 vacancy on the Library Advisory Board with former County…
Read MoreUPDATED: Sussex County Council Keeps Records Open for BelMead Farms and Atlantic Fields Proposals
UPDATED – 10/21/25 –Â The Sussex County Council met Tuesday. There were 5 public hearings – one for a sewer annexation and 4 land use applications – scheduled for the afternoon session. Traffic was the overwhelming topic for many of the nearly 30 Sussex County residents who commented during a public hearing for a Change of…
Read MoreUPDATED: Sussex County Council to Hold Land Use Reform Working Group Public Work Session on Oct 14
UPDATED – 10/07/25 –Â The Sussex County Council met at noon on Tuesday. County Administrator Todd Lawson handed the Council copies of the Land Use Reform Working Group’s Recommendations and Report “hot off the presses.” Lawson says that next Tuesday they plan to have a workshop to go through the report and all 20 of the…
Read MoreSussex County Council Gets Update on DelDOT Projects; Votes on 3 Land Use Applications Deferred
The Sussex County Council received an update on projects and other traffic issues for Sussex County from DelDOT Secretary Shante Hastings. She told the Council about the Capital Transportation Program and the funding available for FY2026 and what will be available for transportation projects. The draft CTP for FY 2027-2032 is currently under review. Secretary…
Read MoreSussex County Council Meets Tuesday; County Marijuana Regulations Up for Discussion
UPDATED –Â 09/09/25 –Â The Sussex County Council discussed the possibility of amending Ordinance #3016 which regulates marijuana establishments. After Sussex County adopted the ordinance in May of 2024, State lawmakers passed Senate Bill 75 – which would have limited the restrictions a county may impose on the operation of marijuana establishments. Governor Matt Meyer vetoed…
Read MoreSussex County Council Approves John Passwaters to Seat on Planning & Zoning Commission
A public interview was held during the Sussex County Council meeting Tuesday for a nominee to the Planning and Zoning Commission. After the interview the Council approved John Passwaters of Bridgeville to a seat on the Planning and Zoning Commission. His term will begin on September 1st and ends at the end of June of…
Read MoreSussex County Council Approves Recommendation for Payment Plan for Some Property Tax Bills
The Sussex County Council heard an update from County Finance Director Gina Jennings on legislation that was brought before the General Assembly during the special session last week. In all – seven bills were discussed, but most pertain to New Castle County, which has recently started its appeal process. House Bill 241 does pertain to…
Read MoreSussex County Council to Meet Tuesday Morning – Discussion on Reassessment Legislation on Agenda
The Sussex County Council will meet Tuesday morning in Georgetown. County Administrator Todd Lawson will hold a public interview for a nominee to the Planning and Zoning Commission – John Passwaters. County Finance Director Gina Jennings will discuss and update the Council on the recent General Assembly special session and reassessment legislation. In Old Business…
Read MoreUPDATED: Sussex County Council gets Update on 2025 Tax Bills & Bids Farewell to Economic Development Director Bill Pfaff
UPDATED – 07/29/25 –Â The Sussex County Council heard a presentation from Philip Barnes the the University of Delaware IPA (Institute for Public Administration). Barnes discussed legislation approved by the Delaware General Assembly during the 152nd General Assembly, SB 237, that changes requirements regarding climate change and resiliency related to Comprehensive Planning for each county and…
Read MoreSussex County Council Approves Conditional Use for Storage/Warehouse Buildings and Car Wash in Frankford Area
The Sussex County Council, in Old Business, revisited Conditional Use No 2581 on behalf of Zion Church Ventures, LLC for storage/warehouse buildings and a car wash to be located on an over 24-acre parcel on Zion Church Road just north of Deer Run Road in the Frankford area. The Council last week deferred a vote…
Read MoreUPDATED: US EPA Determines MD Department of Environment Improperly Issued Final Permit Decision for US Wind Project
UPDATED – 07/11/25 –Â The US Environmental Protection Agency has determined that the Maryland Department of the Environment improperly issued its final permit decision for the US Wind project off the coast of Ocean City. In a letter to MDE Secretary Serena McIlwain, the EPA outlined multiple legal errors in the agency’s approval of the US…
Read MoreSussex County Council to Meet at 1:30pm Tuesday
The Sussex County Council will meet Tuesday afternoon beginning at 1:30pm. Planning & Zoning Director Jamie Whitehouse will give the Council a report on the Comprehensive Land Use Plan. There will be two public hearings. One is for a sewer annexation in the Millville area. The other is a conditional use application on behalf of…
Read MoreUPDATED: Sussex County Council Approves FY 2026 Budget
UPDATED – 06/17/25 –Â 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…
Read MoreSussex County Council Honors Two Cape Henlopen HS Championship Teams
The Sussex County Council met Tuesday afternoon. Their first order of business was to read proclamations for two championship teams from Sussex County – both teams from Cape Henlopen High School – for Girls Lacrosse and Boys Baseball. County Planning and Zoning Director, Jamie Whitehouse requested a 6-month extension for a conditional use application for…
Read MoreSussex County Council Adopts Resolution in Support of the Preservation of Local Governance
The Sussex County Council discussed and adopted a Resolution in support of the preservation of local governance. The vote was unanimous and is similar to resolutions recently adopted by County officials in Kent and New Castle Counties. This measure came about after state lawmakers introduced Senate Bill 159, which would override the County Council’s vote…
Read MoreSussex County Council will Receive Proposed FY 2026 Budget Tuesday
The Sussex County Council meets Tuesday morning – this week’s meeting will include the budget presentation for FY 2026. The County Administrator and Finance Director will present the proposed budget to the Council, which will include the proposed property tax rate post reassessment. There will also be discussion on establishing water and sewer rates and…
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