Del. committee advances Millsboro charter change clarifying annexation and committee appointments

The House Administration Committee voted to release House Bill 41, an act to amend the charter of the town of Millsboro, advancing the measure out of committee for further consideration.

Representative Rich Collins, presenting for the bill, said the change reflects the town——s recent growth and replaces an informal approach to local governance. "All this bill really does is clarify the language that the entire town council makes the decisions in regards to annexation," Collins said.

The bill removes a provision that had left authority to recommend annexations solely with the mayor. According to the presentation, the mayor in Millsboro is selected by the town council and the proposed amendment would "add that all the town council has a role" in annexation decisions and in recommending committee appointments. The presenter said the change "does not change the requirements" for annexation thresholds and that existing statutory voter-consent rules remain in place.

There was no in-person or remote public comment recorded for the bill. Speaker Minor Brown moved to release the bill and Representative Dukes seconded the motion. The committee recorded affirmative roll-call responses and the motion carried.

The measure will be posted on the legislative website if it receives enough committee signatures and — if reported out — would be announced on the House floor when scheduled for further action.