Sussex County officials propose $276M budget, big focus on increased public safety

SUSSEX COUNTY, Del. – $278.6 million is the price tag on Sussex County’s proposed Fiscal Year 2024 budget.

County officials say that the good news is that residents will not see any increase in taxes. However, the proposed budget is down about $15 million as things like American Rescue Plan Act funds have dried up.

Despite that, council members are optimistic. “The county is in an extremely healthy financial condition and that’s the result of good management over a lot of years,” District 5 Sussex County Councilman John Rieley said.

Rieley says a big chunk of the budget is devoted to public safety as the county continues to see growth.

$2 million would be allocated for the design and construction for paramedic stations for several areas including Millsboro and Lewes. “One of the metrics we monitor monthly is response times and how quickly we can get to patients,” Rieley said.

More than $5 million would go to fire stations, including the Seaford Volunteer Fire Department.  Chief Jack Wilson says they’re in need of additional funding supports. He tells 47ABC it takes upwards of $2 million annually to keep their station afloat. “The county understands the days of the volunteer department making chicken and car washes or any type of fundraising just isn’t sustainable for our future,” Chief Wilson said.

“We do feel the effect for increased funding for certain things such as career services, EMS, and maintenance. Issues like that we endure every day and we’ve seen increases since Covid.”

On top of increased costs, Chief Wilson says call volume has skyrocketed by at least 50% yet they don’t have the manpower to handle it. “The training hours, the commitment, the reduced family time, and stuff like that makes it really hard to be a volunteer today,” Chief Wilson said.

Chief Wilson also tells us that state fire service funding will also increase by 30% which will also be huge help.

Other budgets highlights include more than $66 million for wastewater infrastructure and $7.4 million to preserve open space and farmland. 

A public hearing is scheduled for June on the proposed budget.  We’re told potential revisions could be made but as of now what was proposed looks to be final.

Once approved by the council, the budget will go into effect July 1st, 2023.