I am responding to the article in the Cape Gazette concerning the Sussex County reassessment.
I realize that the county needed to perform a reassessment, as they have not done one since 1974. I also realize that, according to the article, and my understanding of the state code, the tax revenue derived from the reassessment must be revenue neutral. In other words, the county must not raise your taxes even though your reassessment went up. So, it should be similar to last year, right?
Boy, was I wrong! In the last couple of days, I have had an ongoing email conversation with Gina Jennings, the county finance director. According to her, “The county and schools will not collect more than 15% or 10% than they did previously countywide/school wide. However, as this provision is a collective statement, this does not apply to individual properties. Some properties will go down more than 15% whereas some will go up more than 15%.”
My reassessment went up over 45 times, with my taxes going up three-and-a-half times! Using the county tax calculator, which can be found at sussexcountyde.gov/property-tax-calculator, I discovered my taxes went up by almost $2,000! I confirmed this with Ms. Jennings.
Now, I know my home here in Lewes is valued way more than what it was in 1974. I get that. But, I believe those of us in the Cape Henlopen School District, with the price of homes skyrocketing in the last few years and therefore the assessment of each home, will pay the brunt of the county tax increase. Is that fair? I’m concerned about those who have lived here a long time who may have inherited their family home from their parents or grandparents. Just because your home is now worth over a million dollars does not mean a simultaneous increase in your income. Especially those who are retired on a fixed income of Social Security.
So I ask: Could that county rate of $0.02116 cents be lowered or is it already set in stone? Or since most of your tax bill is really derived from the school tax, could the school tax rate be lowered in the Cape district?
I suggest everyone look at the county tax calculator and see what they are going to pay this year. And then, email or call your county representative and/or the school district. I will.
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