[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-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],{"_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",6508949,"mediaKeyId","5448756-a4a849b826307af26ed0d2ea41bd41cc","parentId",5448756,"title","Finance Committee approves minutes, schedules special meeting and funds dozens of community grants","audioSeconds",110,"startMs",44000,"endMs",154000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5448756-a4a849b826307af26ed0d2ea41bd41cc&start=44&end=154","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5448756-a4a849b826307af26ed0d2ea41bd41cc/thumbnail_44000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6508949/New-Castle-County/Delaware/Finance-Committee-approves-minutes-schedules-special-meeting-and-funds-dozens-of-community-grants","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6508949-f43e3c7dfcff3ad87cc7902e9e9bc51d/orig.mp4?Expires=1770498133&Signature=i8nt7APctCd706rj5Q7VXlCBAnP5nkw4eQWzv-qNzfhEQor-Y1RX~dDfae8gauAqY1eeCFywjtR0LYfkhVCA7-c1cSK22ncaVgYZLWOKvh0x4~K2OoBiz~dUaTlcKpuvU93~cAJ5~5h5g1vOX2LIUhXthZfh11Lcvpn7HEHyQuZ77nsSbb9ifnby6XOClNpEhTNHqy6Ce1-mP1dkuS0FzktZvOFSVlFEeJBBBSk~2fHWBrf4ZKOKUW4ui1O7hePbx3fm3x1cRiWte~mGteCqnATde-uQN5V5MaGsvzndLYlvJyYb2rS3ecRLOp2~dfqc~wsetGzcrt3zouPKXHOGQQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","New Castle County","date","2025-07-22T00:00:00Z","article","The New Castle County Finance Committee took a series of procedural and funding votes on July 22. On voice vote the committee approved the July 8 minutes. The committee also approved a motion, under council rule 7.10.2, to schedule a special council meeting for Tuesday, Aug. 5, 2025 at 3 p.m. to consider ordinance 25-099 (as introduced) and any associated resolution; the motion passed unanimously on a roll call showing 13 present and voting yes.

The committee considered and voted on a large group of community grant requests (motions, seconds and voice votes recorded). Highlights of approved funding (motion maker in parentheses where recorded):

- Kappa Mainstream Leadership Inc.: $1,000 (motion: Councilman Street) — approved.
- Belvedere/Cedar Heights Community Day (Belvidere Civic Association): amended to $1,500 (motion: Councilman Toole; amendment by Councilman Street) — approved.
- Towers of Valley Run (dryer vent and railing repairs): $2,500 (motion: Councilman Cartier) — approved.
- Clayton Place (shrub removal): $575 (motion: Councilman Cartier) — approved.
- Bellevue Farms freeze dryer: $2,400 (motion: Councilman Cartier) — approved.
- Webster Farms median beautification: $2,000 (motion: Councilman Cartier) — approved.
- Tomorrow's Change (counseling services): $2,500 (motion: Councilman Cartier) — approved.
- Hilltop Manor Association maintenance: $1,700 (motion: Councilman Cartier) — approved.
- Project Newstart (reentry program): $2,500 (motion: Council President Johns; amended and seconded) — approved.
- Rodney Street Tennis and Tutoring Association: $1,000 (motion: Council President Johns) — approved.
- Stop the Violence Pray Chain Foundation: $750 (motion: Council President Johns) — approved.
- Becoming Esther (youth mentorship): $750 (motion: Council President Johns) — approved.
- Cityfest (Mill Creek summer concert): $1,000 (motion: Council President Johns) — approved.
- Emerge Wellness Center: $1,500 (motion: Council President Johns) — approved.
- United Way of Delaware (New Castle County Hope Center summer program): total $5,000 after amendment (motion: Council President Johns; amendment moved by another member) — approved.
- American Cancer Society Relay for Life (Middletown): $3,000 (motion and second recorded; conditional on documentation) — approved.
- Holloway Terrace: $1,000 (motion: Councilman Street) — approved.
- Girls Inc. of Delaware: $2,000 (motion: Council President Johns) — approved.

(Additional grant awards were moved and approved during the meeting; the list above reflects items listed on the Finance Committee agenda and recorded motions in the transcript.)

Ending: Committee members voted by voice for each award; most motions carried with “ayes” and no recorded oppositions. Several awards were amended upward by fellow members before final approval. The committee adjourned to allow the full council meeting to begin.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","New Castle County - Administrative-Finance Committee - Jul 22, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Committee approved the July 8 minutes, scheduled a special council meeting for Aug. 5 on an introduced ordinance (25-099), and approved multiple community grant awards totaling tens of thousands of dollars; votes were unanimous or voice votes as recorded.","taxTitle","New Castle County, Delaware","taxId",12637,"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},6508953,"Council members debate ordinance to move up to $15 million from tax stabilization to reassessment reserve",835,393000,1228000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5448756-a4a849b826307af26ed0d2ea41bd41cc&start=393&end=1228","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5448756-a4a849b826307af26ed0d2ea41bd41cc/thumbnail_393000.jpg","/articles/6508953/New-Castle-County/Delaware/Council-members-debate-ordinance-to-move-up-to-15-million-from-tax-stabilization-to-reassessment-reserve","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6508953-af308dd57e588575ca5b3b202a34b0c8/orig.mp4?Expires=1770498133&Signature=XV~GHUcZHzbwKo9jxz87ekY8C8oRJjq50P4f-hJATS2k0gSVDy3HP4aYMb-PI7q5n2HTwQJUi8gDsLc6uGytbWhfwqjS3yIpczRed29RZRsaE-O5RmKaaTSmWfY9dJHJHK4yKa-vQ-GUEXBPpmcEfKec2k2Ue1h4BvH9r7UK4Zf4AIMhKSzq1aMlds2MSBMz~xRVK3ei8I83hbEgIRWKsZTJihWcW8qYlrBvA-DT6P3N4OhNRg4P3aLafDEPd0A~0ykitJuaVDdLRWYMIO-THP-0NarMtbgqrvNIjNkYIsCTu81VCUh84adXaSMvkyJHIo-G2BOcUSL9iua~fCdCgg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","On July 22 the Finance Committee discussed ordinance 25-095, sponsored in the meeting by a council member on the floor, which would amend New Castle County Code Chapter 14 to require an annual July transfer of $5 million from the tax stabilization reserve to a tax reassessment account, up to a $15 million total transfer. The sponsor described the measure as a way to ensure funds are available for the county's periodic reassessment and to avoid imposing a large single-year charge on taxpayers when a reassessment occurs.

Councilman Cartier said he supported the intent but called the ordinance premature and said the county will not need another reassessment for five years; he also noted the tax stabilization account's purpose to stabilize tax rates and cover unanticipated expenses and therefore urged more time and review. Council members Tackett, Hollins, Koneko and Carter voiced support for saving for future reassessment costs and emphasized that the transferred funds would remain protected by the supermajority allocation requirement and could be reallocated back to the stabilization account if needed.

Council members asked about current balances and encumbrances in the reassessment reserve; during the discussion a council member recalled earlier balances (an earlier comment referenced roughly $30 million and later usage of about $17 million) while another speaker later said the balance was $1.2 million (the transcript shows both statements). Committee members requested clearer fiscal detail before any final vote; the transcript records discussion but does not record a final committee vote on Ordinance 25-095 at this meeting.

Ending: The item remained under consideration; council members asked for updated account balances and noted that the ordinance would be further reviewed before any final action.","Council discussed Ordinance 25-095 to transfer $5 million annually from the tax stabilization account to a reassessment account (up to $15 million); members were split on timing and fiscal prudence but no final vote on the ordinance was recorded at the Finance Committee meeting.",{"_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},6508958,"New Castle County details 2024 reassessment timeline as residents and council press for fixes",1475,2504000,3979000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5448756-a4a849b826307af26ed0d2ea41bd41cc&start=2504&end=3979","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5448756-a4a849b826307af26ed0d2ea41bd41cc/thumbnail_2504000.jpg","/articles/6508958/New-Castle-County/Delaware/New-Castle-County-details-2024-reassessment-timeline-as-residents-and-council-press-for-fixes","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6508958-ccef9ae713604b4eea84a63a9e63238a/orig.mp4?Expires=1770498133&Signature=bFEkNlhypeOnAZlxHTg~PilGYNvZFisP-W4fysLPx4X5nDdDZtPU4L2rM1nTBlhaCiAFBDhLYs7rBusHubnVulBJkJUxK15ktyVDiqU~eibH8E3Jzk1CVBTxvU03MtUbHb3CHWN675qb9P7m1~xl~kN8IJyKg9MXCsszgTKuc4KRnVU2lAoFwXf5DrIMQGqUu-mXku7zyYbacsLnmE3jHeJZ-9uDM7Mb1UdLz2H87HkAtJigHTDuX-~LxDO-53UxagmGjdYnLKJyxd27F~pVWAWGPFeihJQ0LkZbi6EyzoX4pFOO0iOM4mULRzslENqurDMrxNsauazerEtrddIb3A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","New Castle County Finance Director Jill Florey gave council members a step-by-step account of the county's 2024 property reassessment on July 22, saying the county and contractor Tyler Technologies completed mailings, an informal-then-formal appeal process and are preparing referee hearings next month.

Florey said the county and assessor data were sent to local jurisdictions in February 2025, 11,354 informal appeals were held with Tyler Technologies, and 5,208 formal appeals were logged for the Board of Assessment Review process. She said staff and outside counsel trained referees July 18–21 and that the first formal hearing notices will be mailed next week; hearings require 30 days' notice and are expected to begin in August with in-person and online accommodations.

The presentation included figures used to plan risk for the county budget: she told council that known residential assessed-value “at risk” was about $359 million and that larger pools of value remained uncertain (the presentation cited roughly $751 million residential and about $2.7 billion nonresidential labeled as at-risk in appeal filings). Florey said the administration had set separate tax rates for residential (15.75¢) and nonresidential (23.8¢) property to limit an automatic shift in burden after reassessment.

Assessment staff member Mike McFarland explained the three common valuation approaches and said income-capitalization methods are commonly used for investment-grade nonresidential property; he told council that vacancy and market changes (including remote work) have reduced values for some downtown commercial parcels, shifting more of the county tax burden to residential parcels.

Council members pressed for additional clarifications and next steps. Councilman Cartier asked how the split rates changed the overall burden; Florey said residential now carries roughly 69% of the county tax burden after the bifurcated rate was set. Councilman Koneko and others emphasized that only a small share of parcels had appeals (roughly 2–3% of parcels) but warned the appeals process and remaining uncertainty could affect budgeting.

Public commenters urged an independent audit of the Tyler Technologies work and more transparency. Patricia Wilhauer, a member of Wilmington City Council, asked the county to “audit the numbers you got from Tyler Technologies” and to correct errors that she said under-assessed some high-value properties while over-assessing long-time homeowners. Other speakers described specific examples of parcels they said were incorrectly valued and urged improved outreach and easier appeal support for residents, particularly seniors and low-income households.

Council members suggested short- and longer-term policy options for relief, including phased payment plans or tax deferrals for vulnerable households and possible rate adjustments next year. Councilman Carter said he was drafting ideas (including senior deferral models and homestead-type relief) and asked finance staff for data to evaluate options.

Next steps announced during the meeting: county staff will mail referee hearing notices (30 days' notice), hold referee hearings starting in August, and forward referee recommendations to the Board of Assessment Review. Staff emphasized the formal appeal process remains available to property owners who want to challenge an assessment.

Ending: Florey and assessment staff urged homeowners with questions to use the county's appeal resources and noted the county had already posted the Tyler report and the data feed used for reassessment online for public review.","County finance staff reviewed the 2024 reassessment process, the appeals timeline and next steps; residents and some council members called for audits, clearer appeals help and short-term relief options.","actionData","errors"]

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Finance Committee approves minutes, schedules special meeting and funds dozens of community grants

Council members debate ordinance to move up to $15 million from tax stabilization to reassessment reserve

New Castle County details 2024 reassessment timeline as residents and council press for fixes