SUSSEX COUNTY, Del. — Sussex County’s property revaluation project is nearing its end, with county officials providing an update on the final stages of the project, expected to be completed next summer.
This multi-year project is the first for Sussex County since the 1970s.
County officials said “preliminary assessments” will be mailed starting in mid-November. Once the documentation is complete, it is used as part of the equation to determine the homeowner’s annual tax liability. The new interim valuation will be based on 100% of the property’s current assessed value as of July 1, 2023.
Sussex County Assessor Chris Keeler said WBOC property owners will have the opportunity to appeal the new assessment.
“If a customer determines that there is a value issue, they will have the opportunity to discuss the value one-on-one with a representative from Tyler Technologies,” Keeler says. “If you are still not satisfied, you will be given the opportunity to have a hearing with the Evaluation Review Committee.”
Keeler expects the informal appeal process to be completed and the assessment to be completed by February 2025. Sussex County will then consider adopting a new property tax rate. The annual rate is currently 44.5 cents per $100 of valuation. But the higher rating would force the county to lower its tax rate to meet Delaware’s standards.
“I would tell them not to multiply the new value by the current tax rate,” Keeler added. “Those tax rates are going to change. They will be set in the budget process that will take place next spring, and then the new values and the new bill will be published next August.”
Meanwhile, some homeowners in Sussex County say they are prepared to appeal the new assessments if necessary.
“We have a very average middle-income home, but it’s important to us that equity needs to be based on value, based on income, location and everything else,” Selby said. says Robert DiPalma, a resident of the building. “It’s not just about population, popularity or the beach.”
Some are already looking to the future.
“If your taxes go up significantly, you have to think about what you can save,” says Arthur Pilzer. “If you see an extreme rise over a period of time, you may need to consider relocating.”
Sussex County officials say they are committed to being as fair, accurate and affordable as possible.
