County reports favorable third-quarter finances; commissioners waive county interest on long‑unsold tax sale parcel

Kent County's finance department reported a positive financial position through the first nine months of FY25, and commissioners approved waiving county interest on a long-unsold tax sale property to lower its auction price.

Financial overview: Pat Merrick presented the third-quarter financial statements, reporting actual revenues of roughly $54.5 million versus a budget of $53.9 million (a favorable variance of about $662,000). Expenditures through March were about $44.9 million versus a budgeted nearly $47.0 million, producing a favorable expense variance of about $2.2 million. Merrick attributed revenue gains to higher income tax collections (up 16% over last year to date), increased interest income, and other fees; the largest expense favorable variance was in salaries and benefits due to turnover and vacancies.

Tax sale property: Finance staff presented an offer on a parcel that has been at tax sale for 11 years and that was scheduled for auction with a combined county, state and town amount due of $20,210. Merrick said the county typically waives county interest (not state or town taxes) in similar cases; waiving the county interest would reduce the auction starting price to $13,068. Commissioners voted to waive the county interest, and staff said the parcel will be offered at public auction at the reduced starting price so all interested parties have an equal opportunity to bid.

Outcome: Commissioners recorded a favorable fiscal position at the March reporting point and approved the interest waiver by voice vote; staff noted contingencies that looked favorable in March may be reduced later in the fiscal year but that current variances were positive.