[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6225299,"mediaKeyId","3539116-553273b509723cdb07b6e96975728b63","parentId",3539116,"title","Committee lowers proposed water-and-sewer increase to 5.5%; stormwater rates rise 6%","audioSeconds",46,"startMs",2070000,"endMs",2116000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3539116-553273b509723cdb07b6e96975728b63&start=2070&end=2116","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3539116-553273b509723cdb07b6e96975728b63/thumbnail_2070000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6225299/Wilmington-City/New-Castle-County/Delaware/Committee-lowers-proposed-water-and-sewer-increase-to-55-stormwater-rates-rise-6","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6225299-ebb86079e3fb64206cb65b920cb4f67d/orig.mp4?Expires=1771195703&Signature=asMywxJNw5-czMNDswvz3NKM0oXQ-h76PJee29uc9xujmdRRMh3nIa0m6lDtnNZbT0tCYwow8DxJMldy~oPk9YTwIdYoj85pp2vWLAry~RO1vJy1FgdUqpRvYXNunpc65~2DlyFkaBOHdw0oAzU9zt1YjPU0L6IYhpllobwssn1OWGoVgwCPEhmEmT9ZsC5pjB6JwhKx~2XRjhLyQwyZv3qTH9FSEaHWh96Q36jJFc9wQnDKA0-H6wMWOGnN6F~rKq67p9LUy0jML7wO0Ci~REaD0WNFK7JympHKqD3cn6FnMBQLWuVXc9j14-Qkz3Qhw9MiV5T8qxGk~Bf~aBjbBA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City of Wilmington, DE","date","2025-05-20T10:03:55Z","article","The Finance and Economic Development Committee on Monday approved advancing a substitute ordinance that sets water, sewer and stormwater rates for fiscal 2026, reducing the originally proposed water and sewer rate increase from 6.5% to 5.5% while keeping the stormwater increase at 6%.

OMB staff explained the change will reduce revenues by approximately $578,000 relative to the original operating budget projection. For an average residential customer using 4,000 gallons per month, the combined change in water and sewer rates is expected to raise the monthly bill by about $3.98; the stormwater charge would increase by about $0.33 per month.

Council members thanked administration and the finance chair for considering council input and reducing the increase. OMB said the reduction was in response to council direction and that the FY2026 budget materials include a rate table with customer examples.

The committee moved the substitute ordinance 25-010 out of committee to the full council; the ordinance will be on the floor for a subsequent vote.

Clarifying details from the meeting: the water, inside-city and outside-city, and sewer proposed increase is 5.5% under the substitute (down from 6.5%); the stormwater increase remains 6%; revenue reduction estimate $578,000; average residential impact $3.98 per month (for 4,000 gallons).","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Wilmington Finance & Economic Development Committee Meeting | 5/19/2025","oneSentenceSummary","The committee voted to advance a substitute ordinance lowering the water and sewer proposed increase from 6.5% to 5.5% and holding the stormwater increase at 6%; the change trims projected revenues by $578,000 and raises an average residential bill by about $3.98 per month for a 4,000-gallon usage.","taxTitle","Wilmington City, New Castle County, Delaware","taxId",12638,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6225304,"Council committee advances operating budget substitute that reallocates 311 costs and boosts minority business support",396,1112000,1508000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3539116-553273b509723cdb07b6e96975728b63&start=1112&end=1508","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3539116-553273b509723cdb07b6e96975728b63/thumbnail_1112000.jpg","/articles/6225304/Wilmington-City/New-Castle-County/Delaware/Council-committee-advances-operating-budget-substitute-that-reallocates-311-costs-and-boosts-minority-business-support","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6225304-d1ac800edb0fdbed85a994c4c0037a04/orig.mp4?Expires=1771195703&Signature=KxqCJG9B~mg4UuRrTG8OmyKM5BwUbhVix0bWoVzjO9Uwn4myI8xW-XuTNi02oD-pVKvT7tMM8vMWWXGexQVg5F028W1pxrCSBlMJvSegy10e7ihNq2D57d8kHeA2aLstgwAjRVN2tug6MZ-uKsJZ1akoVxTdY5bYL1l5cHie~wICjC8ElxkABqmkoPVDBLemUnAYzfPkzyYNxbDUFIvG7bQkWbkzdBK4ptjIgsSyEgG96hTHNfEpve1Jn5OfH9YfFEbp3vZj5bFSLbWgSTPj~6HOFmGCOzdS09BCpmzO04DQSmk86wEEu8wvXxhSVqlJMCOdiODHAW3ctP11AHH7Kg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Finance and Economic Development Committee voted to advance substitute number 1 to ordinance 25-009, the fiscal 2026 operating budget, after the administration outlined a set of revisions including reallocating 311 call-center costs, adding council beautification funds, and increasing targeted support for minority businesses.

OMB staff explained the substitute shows a net $177,688 increase to the general fund driven mostly by two items: a $75,000 allocation for council beautification projects and a $100,000 reallocation of the 311 call-center cost from the water and sewer fund to the general fund. The latter reflects an analysis of call types showing more general-fund calls (for example, parking tickets and property tax questions) than previously budgeted to be paid by the water fund.

The administration also reported reorganizations in land use and planning, public works and parks and recreation that were budget-neutral overall. In the water and sewer fund, the substitute reduces expected revenues by $275,000 after shifting $100,000 of 311 costs and recording $75,000 in contract savings; the water and sewer utility assistance program was increased from $250,000 to $350,000.

The operating budget substitute includes a personnel classification change in the real estate and housing department, with a $3,437 increase shown in special funds (reflecting a move from grade 7 to grade 8 for a development specialist, and the split funding between CDBG and general fund revenues and expenditures).

Council members asked for public access to budget materials and confirmed that electronic copies were available on the city's website and on the council's budget page. The administration also confirmed the council's request to transfer $350,000 from the Tax Stabilization Reserve into the Economic Strategic Fund as a set-aside for the minority business development program; staff said previous transfers had been one-time infusions and that the fund will receive periodic infusions as needed.

Committee members asked how small minority businesses apply for assistance. The administration identified the Office of Economic Development and James Williams, the city's small minority business manager, as the points of contact, and said residents could call 311 or visit the office on the third floor of the City-County Building. Staff committed to providing data on how prior infusions were used and to deliver that information to council by Thursday.

Committee members moved the operating-budget substitute out of committee; the ordinance will be considered on the full council floor later in the week.","The committee moved a substitute to the FY2026 operating budget that reallocates 311 call-center costs, adds $75,000 in beautification funds, increases utility assistance, and transfers $350,000 from the tax stabilization reserve to the economic strategic fund for minority business development.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6225309,"Committee moves six-year capital program and FY2026 capital budget to council floor",133,837000,970000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3539116-553273b509723cdb07b6e96975728b63&start=837&end=970","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3539116-553273b509723cdb07b6e96975728b63/thumbnail_837000.jpg","/articles/6225309/Wilmington-City/New-Castle-County/Delaware/Committee-moves-six-year-capital-program-and-FY2026-capital-budget-to-council-floor","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6225309-ecd26d2f00d372cebd95be02a569cf13/orig.mp4?Expires=1771195703&Signature=E5AUt~HO7IgyAor4pxp8nwSB3RaPh4QjX0V4gaPgwrotcIrRf3FIf8t~IL2wtiAHGs1hjC59Myn-516adzKW4nn2h2rFQEzCvu4rjucPA24aPkHGlYUo1UvLxUki4m2ozLT1TmgYOM5zhlF0tXOPJT1pp-rcrDiVTfJD781jtR7m1ubvBw-NnXtuAPhdcZRiFa0GNb8GZKQ6J1kTZ4Ra5puY1kwzAAzRXDiWxrlFbkdMm4TKnk4fyF9Ze9xsV-WC~aQOzp1BOWzGuSBJW8nXj66WFu3JlRDyLlmqWRWAU57gAqwSje~zUOwuPYee44xhDRFgRkEcNSakZoV2mnE4GQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Finance and Economic Development Committee voted Monday to send two companion ordinances to the full Wilmington City Council: ordinance 25-007, which adopts a six-year capital program for fiscal years 2026 through 2031, and ordinance 25-008, which enacts the fiscal 2026 capital budget.

OMB fiscal and operations analyst CJ Jones told the committee the six-year capital program totals $603,728,163, with a fund breakdown of $116,173,239 for the general fund, $371,054,924 for the water and sewer fund, and $116,000,505 for other funds. The FY2026 capital budget was presented at $198,732,000.

Jones described potential debt-service impacts if bonds are issued: $2,230,015 in principal and interest for the general fund and $5,169,217 in interest-only debt service for the water and sewer fund, noting other funds were excluded from the debt calculation because of forgivable loan terms.

Council members asked about timing for bond issuance. Jones said finance officers were monitoring capital fund balances and could pursue a bond issue in late fall, structured so the first principal and interest payment would fall into the following fiscal year (2027), or use a short-term BAN (bond anticipation note) depending on departmental spending and market conditions.

No amendments were recorded in the committee discussion. Committee members moved both ordinances out of committee for a full-council vote scheduled on the floor later in the week.","The committee voted to advance two companion ordinances that adopt a $603.7 million six-year capital program and a $198.7 million FY2026 capital budget; debt-service estimates and fund-by-fund breakdowns were presented by OMB.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6225313,"Wilmington council splits residential and nonresidential mill rates as members press county on reassessment accuracy",2274,516000,2790000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3539116-553273b509723cdb07b6e96975728b63&start=516&end=2790","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3539116-553273b509723cdb07b6e96975728b63/thumbnail_516000.jpg","/articles/6225313/Wilmington-City/New-Castle-County/Delaware/Wilmington-council-splits-residential-and-nonresidential-mill-rates-as-members-press-county-on-reassessment-accuracy","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6225313-e541baaf8a63b39b1025c0101b821434/orig.mp4?Expires=1771195703&Signature=oqoHo2BZmsCni8kyU140gKcLJyy-GCg67j3V2ikfmNq3QlOF1wm8kCOuy-T15FAOuSVLcJXiwALgFQk4APe6i83vwuogJHBJVOQu8qWm7uXKsjJg5gtoLXpUuApCYOICII39MVeszXlRXk1JlaMQbXmmeCBieIWO4UNCRBoXsX4AnhphggfrLdvUolPBs4tRDrqlKrHzYsGAWiJEqW3YOiDhgt8p2tYcX5-Q4jo7J0KUT3S1gCg09JNmPDJtshmJu1wudGktnFNpNpMQGgPv~D96EQM8cQ~DnDuzAjUTd4GV48NWlpR-RqIIQypIf53HJibv1Uy7~-wmgvbtnNiOKg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Wilmington City Council's Finance and Economic Development Committee on Monday voted to send a substitute ordinance to the full council that sets separate property tax rates for residential and nonresidential property for the 2025-26 fiscal year, while members pressed Newcastle County and contractor Tyler Technologies to address apparent inaccuracies in the recent reassessment.

Council Chair Michelle Harley said the committee would consider a substitute to ordinance 25-006 that splits the mill rate after the county assessment indicated possible systematic overpricing of lower-value residential properties.

The bifurcated rates in the substitute are 3.7413 mills for residential property and 5.8276 mills for nonresidential property. The administration told the committee the change is expected to leave overall citywide property tax billings unchanged compared with the prior projection, keeping total revenue at about $45,400,000 for fiscal year 2026.

Deputy Chief of Staff Stephanie Merkler told the committee staff asked the law department whether the city could adopt different rates by class after Newcastle County bifurcated its own rate; the department concluded it was legally permissible and the administration proposed separate rates to blunt disproportionate increases for homeowners.

Committee members described the bifurcation as a mitigation step, not a complete fix. The administration estimated the new residential rate would be \"overall neutral\" compared with last year: some individual homeowners will pay more and some less, but in the aggregate residential category remains roughly flat. Officials said roughly 60% of residents may still see an increase (averaging about $453 per year), while about 40% would see a decrease (averaging about $353 per year).

Members also debated a resolution that would urge the local board of assessment to withdraw its certification of the assessment roll for fiscal year 2026 and to address the assessment methodology. Council member Willard, who sponsored the resolution, said Tyler Technologies' final report acknowledged too much variability between its assessment values and actual sale prices to meet industry standards, and the city must ask for corrections before assessments are used to levy taxes.

Several council members described ongoing meetings with the mayor's office, Newcastle County and Tyler Technologies to examine the data and to create avenues for residents to appeal their assessments. The council encouraged residents to file appeals with the county and asked the administration to provide clearer public guidance on the appeals process.

Council members raised practical concerns about the appeals process: one member noted that homeowners often need an appraisal (and sometimes legal help) to make a successful appeal and urged the council to consider ways to help residents navigate or access that process. Members proposed holding a public assistance session in the City-County Building lobby to walk residents through filing appeals and distributing information.

No changes to the certification were recorded during the committee meeting; the substitute ordinance to set bifurcated rates was moved out of committee for a full council vote on the floor. The resolution urging withdrawal of the assessment certification was presented and discussed; committee members expressed support and sought co-sponsors but no formal committee vote on the resolution was recorded in the transcript.

The committee emphasized the bifurcated rate is an interim administrative step that reduces the immediate impact on many homeowners but does not resolve underlying assessment uniformity issues. Officials said the city will continue to work with Newcastle County and Tyler Technologies on data and methodology for future reassessments.

Clarifying details from the meeting include the proposed mill rates, the $45,400,000 projected revenue figure, and the administration's estimate of the distribution of increases and decreases among residential taxpayers. Council members reiterated that appeals should be filed through county channels and asked the administration to provide public-facing guidance and potential in-person assistance sessions before tax bills are issued.","The Finance and Economic Development Committee approved moving a substitute ordinance that sets separate tax rates for residential and nonresidential properties and debated a resolution urging review of Newcastle County's reassessment after Tyler Technologies' work raised uniformity concerns.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Committee lowers proposed water-and-sewer increase to 5.5%; stormwater rates rise 6%

Council committee advances operating budget substitute that reallocates 311 costs and boosts minority business support

Committee moves six-year capital program and FY2026 capital budget to council floor

Wilmington council splits residential and nonresidential mill rates as members press county on reassessment accuracy