Sussex County approves $143 million budget for Fiscal Year 2018
Sussex County officials say that taxpayers can rely on another year of quality public services at an affordable price after they adopt the budget for Fiscal Year 2018 on Tuesday morning.
Following a public hearing, the Sussex County Council voted 4-0 to give the go-ahead to the proposed $143 million budget for the 2018 fiscal year that starts on July first. By law, officials say the county must adopt a balanced budget by June 30 each year.
Officials say, the proposed budget keeps day to day operational purchases in check, cuts down fee increases, and holds the line on County property taxes which are familiar budget themes in the county over the years.
Although, the adopted spending plan, puts money towards significant new dollars, officials say it pulled from cash reserves to keep or prolong critical services and infrastructure such as police, paramedics, upgraded wastewater systems, and a launch a pilot program to expand broadband internet service in more rural parts of Sussex County.
County Administrator Todd Lawson, who presented the proposed budget to be voted on says, "We believe this is a fair, reasonable approach to funding the County's obligations today and in the year to come." "This budget furthers the County's commitment to advancing public safety, protecting the environment, and promoting the general welfare of the people we serve."
Some of the major highlights in the budget reportedly include more funding for the county to keep contact with Delaware for more state police troopers to be assigned to Sussex County, along with money to increase around-the-clock paramedic coverage in the Seaford/Blades area; $1 million in funding to start a pilot project to install fiber optic cabling to expand high speed internet to rural parts of the county, and more than $8 million in capital funding to start phased, major upgrades at the County's South Coastal, Inland Bays, and Wolfe Neck regional wastewater facilities to as much as twice treatment capacity.
Officials say the budget has the support of multiple income streams such as property taxes, realty transfer taxes, sewer service fees, building permit fees and document recording fees, the revenue gives money towards local services including life saving paramedics and 911 dispatchers, environmentally helpful public wastewater, vital building inspection and culturally enriching libraries.
Next year's plan reportedly includes no change in property tax rates, sewer and water service charges, or building permit fees, but increases are proposed for one time sewer connections, plan review and different marriage bureau fees.
County Council President Michael Vincent said the adopted budget shows the County's long standing commitment to conservative fiscal management, but still offers for expansion of critical services such as public safety and wastewater, that protect constituents and their communities.
President Vincent says, "Our constituents are our customers, and they expect the biggest bang for their buck, 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."
Copies of the Fiscal Year 2018 budget along with the accompanying budget presentation can be downloaded here.
