SOUTH BETHANY, DE -- South Bethany's town council approved the town's fiscal year 2026 budget at their meeting Friday morning. With the approval comes a likely town property tax increase for many homeowners.
South Bethany's mayor Edie Dondero told WBOC the town's tax rate has decreased from $1.30 per $100 down to $0.051 per $100. However, due to recent property reassessments in Sussex County, Dondero said many homeowners will see an increase in their bills.
A breakdown of highlights from the new budget can be found on the town's website. The document divides properties in South Bethany based on what changes they can expect to see in their town property taxes based on the new reassessments:
- 105 properties can expect to see reductions.
- 106 properties can expect to see increases greater than $500.
- 333 properties can expect to see increases under $100.
- 861 properties can expect to see increases from $100 to $500.
"Tax revenues collected by the town will increase by 52%," Dondero said. "That does not mean, however, that all residents will see a 52% increase in their tax bill. Some will see a decrease or a negligible increase. Many will see an increase with the average bill increasing by $200."
According to Dondero, the increase in funds will cover town operating expenses and capital projects. She also said this is the first town property tax increase since 2009.
"Property tax income is the only revenue source over which the town has control, and the increase was needed to cover rising costs," Dondero said.
Some neighbors expressed frustration over the increase.
"I'm not really too happy with it," neighbor William Crouse said. "It's not fair that they did it off-season also. It would have been nice if they did it during the peak season because a lot more people who are owners would be down here."
Dennis Garbowski said he's willing to spend a little extra to improve the town.
"50% seems a little bit over the top, but I realize it hasn't been raised for quite some time. So we'll get by," Garbowski said.
The mayor said the new operating budget will begin in fiscal year 2026, which begins May 1st, 2025.