MILLSBORO, Del.- Despite two failed tax referendums earlier this year, the Indian River School District will still be raising its school tax rate.
The school board voted Monday night to approve a tax hike of up to 10 percent, which is the maximum increase allowed under Delaware law following a property reassessment.
“We haven’t had a reassessment since 1974, so it’s been a while coming... We are in a position which is critical - where we are now with the reserve money and what we know we need in the future,” said IRSD School Board President Mark Steele.
Earlier this year, district voters rejected two separate proposals to raise property taxes by 37 percent, once in March and again in June. However, under state law, school districts can raise taxes up to 10 percent without voter approval in reassessment years to help adjust for updated property values.
Officials say another property reassessment likely won’t happen for another 5 to 10 years.