Newcastle County plans tax rate adjustments ahead of July deadline

The Appoquinimink School Board Workshop held on June 25, 2025, focused on key financial discussions regarding the upcoming tax warrant and budget recommendations for the 2025-2026 school year. The meeting highlighted the importance of reassessment and its impact on tax calculations, with a significant increase in assessed value from $2.7 billion last year to $15.2 billion this year.

During the workshop, board members reviewed the four types of taxes: operating, debt service, matching tuition, and discussed the tentative recommendations for each. The current expense tax rate was proposed at $0.3573 per $100 of assessed value, which includes a 10% allowance to address potential issues arising from the reassessment process. This rate is expected to generate approximately $54 million for current operations.

The board also addressed the debt service tax rate, recommending a rate of $0.0753 per $100 of assessed value, which is projected to yield around $11 million. The calculations for these rates were based on tax data from Newcastle County, with considerations for delinquencies and assessments at risk.

Looking ahead, the board plans to meet again on July 8, 2025, to vote on these recommendations, with the finalized tax warrant due to the county by July 10. The discussions underscored the district's commitment to maintaining transparency and fiscal responsibility as it prepares for the upcoming school year.