Sussex County Council Approves FY 2020 Budget

The Sussex County Council has approved the $185.8-million FY 2020 budget. A public hearing was held during this morning’s Council meeting. A dozen people spoke on the budget – several of them directors of county public libraries who all thanked the council for the increase spending which includes $20,000 each of the county’s independent libraries. Ken Bock, director of the Sussex County CHEER Center thanked the council for the $50,000 set aside for them (one of 4 installments totaling $200,000) for the expansion of its kitchen to provide senior meals.

President of the Lewes Fire Company, Craig Stephens thanked the county for its continued support, but hoped the fire companies would see more as their work increases with each building permit approved by the county.

The County’s Register of Wills, Cindy Green, explained that her office is implementing two new services – which include fees. One is for the in-house storage of wills – and they will break even on that. The other is for the accessing of documents in her office. The fee is equal to those charged in New Castle County and is not a revenue generator.

Greenwood resident Dan Kramer questioned the 2% COLA raise for county employees and told the council they should not be eligible, nor should some county employees. He also told the council to not be surprised to see a budget deficit in the near future – and that spending should be reined in.

The council approved the proposed budget with a unanimous vote and Council President, Mike Vincent thanked Finance Director Gina Jennings and her staff for their work in crafting the county’s annual budget.