Delaware City finance panel approves resolution opposing House Bill 335 and continues tax‑policy workshop

The Delaware City Finance Committee on June 16 voted unanimously to recommend a resolution opposing House Bill 335 — a pending state property‑tax reform measure — to the full City Council and spent the rest of its meeting continuing a multi‑session tax‑policy workshop focused on reserves, debt strategies and contingency planning.

The recommendation to forward the Municipal League–draft resolution to council was approved by roll call with three “yes” votes: Mr. Hoffman, Mr. Haynes and Chair Schaffer. Chair Schaffer noted a core objection in the resolution: a three‑member panel appointed by the county could override a voter‑approved levy, which he said would “usurp our authority.”

City Manager Paul Breake told the committee the bill (referred to in committee discussion as House Bill 335) would immediately eliminate the city’s inside millage and carry several downstream effects, including risks to tax‑increment financing (TIF) revenues, creation of “minimum service payments” (MSPs) that could fall to new homeowners, and legal impacts to the collateral backing some outstanding limited‑tax general obligation bonds. Breake said the city’s inside millage currently produces roughly $4 million to $4.5 million annually…