LAUREL, DE - Residents in Laurel are preparing for a substantial increase in property taxes, set to take effect on October 1st. The town's property taxes will surge by 30%, a decision that was made by the Sussex County town back in June as part of the 2023-2024 fiscal budget.
The town is raising taxes in large part to fund the hiring of two new police officers, a move that Town Manager Jamie Smith says will help combat the increasing crime rate in the area. She says that adding another officer per shift will allow the police force to expand patrols and improve the safety of both residents and officers.
"They don't have to like the increase, and I understand they may not like it, but hopefully, with their questions and concerns, they can at least see the need for the increase," Smith said. She also noted that her, and the rest of the town council will also feel the impact -- and still believes it is necessary for the town to thrive.
She added that the town cannot keep up with yearly incremental increases, which lead to the higher percentage.
Samantha Disharoon, who lives in Laurel, raises her family in the town. She says she is already dealing with the rising cost of living and homeownership and is appalled by such a significant tax hike.
"I've had to get two part-time jobs, and my husband works full time, and it still doesn't cut it – and the more money we make, the more we get cut. If you raise our property taxes, how the heck are we going to afford it?" said Disharoon.
The feeling was echoed by neighbor Norman Reed,
"We're always the ones paying for everything, this and this and this and this. It's got to end somewhere. In another 10-15 years, what's going to happen then? It's just ridiculous. These people with kids today, I don't even know how they go to the grocery store. They've got to come up with some other solution," said Reed.
The town added the money would in part also be used for required federal projects such as EPA testing and updates to water reserves -- which do not have a set timetable or budget.