Sussex County unveiled its $143 million budget proposal for the 2018 fiscal year Tuesday.
It doesn’t call for raising property taxes or sewer fees, despite rising costs.
Sussex is coping with an additional $800 thousand dollars in public safety spending, fueled by a nearly $700 thousand dollar increase in what it pays for 22 state troopers assigned to the county.
County Councilman Rob Arlett is not happy the state is demanding more to police the county.
“The fact that they’re asking us to increase by 30 percent -which is a significant number- to the tune of $678,000 without adding one additional patrolman to the road, is a significant challenge,” he said, following the budget presentation.
Under the plan, those additional costs will be paid using county reserves. The county's pension plan will also be shored up using reserves.
Meanwhile, Sussex is closely watching the General Assembly as it tries to patch a $382 million state budget deficit.
County Administrator Todd Lawson says it would be bad news for Sussex if lawmakers in Dover try to close that shortfall by reducing the county’s share of Realty Transfer Tax payments or other moves.
"If the state were to change these revenue sources, or pass any legislation that would further cut our revenues or increase our expenses, we would have to reevaluate the entire budget," he said.
Realty Transfer Tax revenue is the single largest source of income for the county, following property taxes.
And there is some pain for residents in the county's spending plan. The budget includes proposed increases for marriage fees and Plan Reviews, and a cut in the first time homebuyer credit.
County Council will hold a public hearing on the spending plan on Tuesday, June 13. By law, Council must adopt a budget by June 30.
