Sussex County now has a finalized budget for the coming fiscal year after County Council voted to approve a $300 million spending plan on Tuesday, June 16, 2026, following a public hearing held the same day.
The new budget covers Fiscal Year 2027, which kicks off July 1. Delaware law requires Sussex County to pass a balanced budget no later than June 30 each year.
Property owners will not see a change in their tax bill under the new plan. The property tax rate stays at 2.14 cents per $100 of assessed value — a figure established last year after Delaware’s court-ordered reassessment process. While the budget continues to fund the day-to-day services residents rely on, it also introduces some first-of-their-kind programs, including a new surcharge on building permits that will direct money to local independent public school districts, and a centralized billing and ambulance purchase cost-sharing arrangement to support local fire and emergency medical services companies.
County Administrator Todd F. Lawson highlighted the balance the budget strikes between innovation and fiscal discipline.
“While this budget makes significant new investments in fire service and education, it does so without abandoning our long-standing commitment to responsible, efficient government,” Lawson said. “We’re focusing resources where the community needs them most.”
The total budget has grown by nearly $15 million, or 5.2 percent, compared to the current year. Much of that increase is tied to capital spending on public wastewater improvements. The general fund — which covers everyday government operations — is rising by a more modest $4 million, or 3.6 percent.
The county draws its revenue from a variety of sources, including property taxes, realty transfer taxes, sewer service fees, building permit fees, and document recording fees. Several of those revenue streams are increasing in the new budget, including fees for sewer and water services, along with new and adjusted fees tied to the Geographic Information, Engineering, and Planning and Zoning offices. That money funds a range of services such as paramedics, 911 dispatchers, wastewater treatment, building inspections, and public libraries.
Key spending highlights in the FY2027 budget include:
— $74.6 million for wastewater infrastructure, covering the expansion of two treatment plants, new service areas, increased capacity, and other system upgrades.
— $7.6 million for local fire companies and ambulance squads to help with operational costs, including paid EMT salaries, plus an additional $1.6 million for a centralized ambulance billing and unit purchase cost-share program to support basic life support services.
— $7.4 million to purchase open space and farmland for long-term preservation.
— Up to $7 million — depending on construction activity — generated through a new $5 per $1,000 of construction value surcharge on most building permits, with proceeds directed to local school districts for capacity-related capital needs.
— An increase in funding, from $5.8 million to $6.1 million, for the county’s contract with the State of Delaware for supplemental state police troopers assigned to Sussex County.
— $1.25 million for affordable housing efforts, including home rehabilitation assistance for low-income households and homebuying settlement help.
— $1 million for municipalities that provide local law enforcement services.
— $3.4 million for new paramedic stations in the Dewey Beach, Lincoln, and Milton areas.
County Finance Director Gina A. Jennings described the budget as a product of careful, balanced decision-making despite growing demands on county services and the rising costs that come with them.
Council President Doug Hudson praised the budget team for addressing issues that matter most to residents, including emergency services and public education.
“The public wants to see their tax dollars hard at work and producing results,” President Hudson said. “This budget does that. It funds the services people have come to depend on and expect, while also looking forward to meet the needs of future generations.”
The full Fiscal Year 2027 budget and accompanying budget presentation are available for download at www.sussexcountyde.gov/county-budget.
