Comments on: Cecil County Budget: Another ‘Happy Meal” Property Tax Cut Trims Half-Cent Off Rate

By: Russ

Russ — Mon, 28 May 2012 17:11:18 +0000

Charter could be implemented without spending more or raising the property tax rate. The problem is that none of the 5 Commissioners had the courage to dig deep and make the necessary cuts. It was much easier for them to just raise taxes, believing that we will all forget by election time that they voted for, and implemented, the highest property tax rate in the history of the County. I guess we will find out if their gamble paid off come November, but sadly I believe that apathy in the electorate will just let it roll.

By: Taxpayer

Taxpayer — Sat, 26 May 2012 11:32:43 +0000

Why is charter government going to cost more money? When charter was “sold” to the citizens of this county we were told it would cost less. Now we hear rumblings that we need to save money to pay for charter??? Is it time to start a movement for Code Home Rule??

By: Jackie

Jackie — Thu, 24 May 2012 16:40:48 +0000

New Castle County’s Operating Budget is available here: https://www2.nccde.org/finance/Documents/BudgetDocuments/FY2013%20Approved%20Operating%20Budget%20smaller.pdf

According to that document, the approved operating budget for FY2013 in New Castle is over $247 million dollars. Also, the captital budget adds another $17 million. In addition, in my reading of the New Castle County budget, I didn’t see any reference to costs to operate the school system, but I did find school tax information on the Christina School District’s website, which leads me to believe that the school budget is entirely separate from the county budget.

Pennsylvania operates the same way. In PA there is a local tax levied by the county for things like roads, public safety, etc, and then a separate tax is passed by the local school board to pay for the public schools.

We are entirely different in that our local government (not our school board) makes the final decision on the school budget, and our local budget includes everything. So not only is New Castle County’s budget almost $100 million more than Cecil County’s budget, it also does not include the school budget which comprises almost 40% of our local budget.

The comparison between New Castle and Cecil counties is nonexistent. It would be fairer for you to compare tax rates between the two counties, but you would have to be sure to include school taxes for New Castle.