GEORGETOWN, Del. - Sussex County’s sweeping property reassessment process has nearly concluded, with fewer than 800 appeals submitted by the March 31 deadline, marking the end to a multi-year effort to update property values in accordance with a 2021 legal settlement.
The appeals represent about 1 percent of the total number of parcels in southern Delaware that could be revised.
"Framed another way, the owners of 99 out of 100 parcels apparently saw no reason to contest, and I think that’s a testament to the fairness of a fact-based process," said County Administrator Todd F. Lawson. "The credit goes to our staff, led by Finance Director Gina Jennings and Assessment Director Chris Keeler, for guiding us through this very cumbersome project, and certainly the public for their patience."
The next phase involves adjusting the property tax rate downward to comply with Delaware’s "revenue-neutrality" requirement, which ensures the county does not collect more in taxes simply because values have increased. That new rate will be finalized as part of the Fiscal Year 2026 budget, expected in late June. Updated tax bills will be mailed out in August, according to the county.
A new tax calculator allowed property owners to see how much it is estimated they will pay after the reassessment. However, many property owners became concerned with initial reassessment discrepancies.
The Board of Assessment Review will handle the remaining appeals in the coming weeks.