Newcastle County Council Discusses Property Tax Reassessment and Appeals Process

Concerns over property tax reassessments took center stage during the New Castle County Council meeting on August 5, as council members addressed public anxieties and clarified the reassessment process. Councilman Cartier emphasized the importance of understanding that only 20% of property taxes are allocated to the county, with the remaining 80% going to school districts. He urged residents to engage with state legislators, especially with a special session scheduled for August 12 to discuss school district taxes.

The council also passed legislation allowing payment plans for the county portion of property taxes, which was described as a small fraction compared to school taxes. Councilman Koneko highlighted that the reassessment was court-ordered, a result of a lawsuit from the city of Wilmington, and stressed that the process adhered to established appraisal standards. He noted that the lengthy gap since the last assessment—40 years—contributed to the current challenges, suggesting that more frequent assessments could have mitigated the dramatic changes in property valuations.

Council members reassured residents that the appeals process for property assessments remains open, with the next filing deadline set for March 14 of the following year. They acknowledged the frustrations expressed by the public but reiterated that the reassessment was necessary and legally mandated. The discussions underscored the complexities of property taxation and the need for ongoing communication between residents and their elected officials.