Delaware
Delaware property tax bill becomes law without Meyer signature
Your New Castle County tax bill won’t arrive this month. What to know
If you didn’t hear it already, Delaware tax bills in New Castle County will again face delay due to ongoing reassessment impact, review.
One of the three property reassessment reform bills passed in Delaware’s legislature this year will become law without the governor’s signature.
Backed by Rep. Kim Williams, the bill in question extends New Castle County’s ability to tax residential and nonresidential properties at separate rates, indefinitely.
The bill builds on the work also championed by the Stanton Democrat in special session last August, which allowed any New Castle County school district to reset and split tax rates for the 2025-26 tax year alone.
Williams previously told lawmakers this latest bill “strikes a thoughtful balance” between administrative competence, local-level flexibility and taxpayer protection. Under the new bill, nonresidential rates cannot be more than 1.85 times higher than residential, according to the bill.
This gives businesses and commercial properties slightly more flexibility than last year, which clocked in at two times the residential rate.
The bill was one of several measures included in a property reassessment reform package introduced near the end of the legislative session. Other bills in the package would allow school districts to reset their tax rates for the 2026-27 school year and require municipalities in all three counties to share permit data monthly.
Three out of the five bills in that package cleared both chambers by the time the session gaveled out on July 1. Both the building permitting data and tax reset bills were later signed by Gov. Matt Meyer.
While he said the bill does contain the measures districts need to reset rates ahead of the fast-approaching school year, the Democrat said he cannot back legislation that continues treating apartment buildings and other residential rental structures as commercial properties.
“Across Delaware, apartments are home to our families, friends, and neighbors,” Meyer said in a statement issued Aug. 7. “But under this law, a building that houses teachers, nurses, seniors, first responders, and thousands of working families can be taxed at substantially higher rates than the single-family home next door – simply because those families rent instead of own.”
As per legislative rules, once the governor receives a bill, the governor can do one of three actions: sign it, veto it or let it automatically become law.
Meyer said vetoing this bill now would only generate uncertainty for districts – and wouldn’t actually solve the problem.
This isn’t the first time Meyer has let a reassessment reform effort go through without his seal of approval. One of the first reform bills introduced this session – which allowed New Castle County to correct assessment errors and review certain commercial properties that saw steep value drops or are assessed far below their recent sale prices – was enacted in February without his signature or a veto.
He also called on lawmakers to set in stone a “permanent property classification system” next session – one that would treat rental housing as residential properties, as well as protect tenants from excessive taxation, without taking a dime from public schools.
The governor previously pushed for a Senate bill that would have enacted a similar, standard framework classifying taxable property for county, municipality and school taxation.
The bill was introduced and assigned to committee, but did not make it through both chambers before session’s end.
Williams had concerns with this – chiefly, giving a break to commercial property owners of those apartments.
Williams said the proposal raises several questions, including whether property owners would pass any tax savings on to renters and how it could affect manufactured housing communities. She also believes moving forward with the measure could trigger another lawsuit.
In short, she said, this could do more harm than good.
Fellow Rep. Cyndie Romer, a co-sponsor of the bill, felt a little different.
The Newark Democrat told Delaware Online/The News Journal that she was “not bothered” by the lack of a signature, saying with or without it, it is still First State law.
She added renters continued to face significant hurdles, and as such, there needs to be legislation that actually helps them and lawmakers must establish fair classifications moving forward.
“Rent is at an all-time high and not all, but many landlords are making record profits,” said Romer. “We need to make sure those savings are getting passed along to the renters.”
Olivia Montes covers state government and community impact for Delaware Online/The News Journal. If you have a tip or a story idea, reach out to her at omontes@delawareonline.com.
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Milford’s Riverwalk Freedom Festival returns Sept. 19 – Milford LIVE! – Local Delaware News, Kent and Sussex Counties
The free, daylong celebration will feature live music, food trucks, a car show, children’s activities, the Duck Dash, and FIREWORKS along the Mispillion Riverwalk.
MILFORD, Del. — Milford’s largest outdoor community celebration will return Saturday, Sept. 19, bringing live entertainment, food, vendors and family activities to the city’s downtown and riverfront.
The 26th annual Riverwalk Freedom Festival will run from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. along the Mispillion Riverwalk and throughout downtown Milford. Admission is free.
Organized by the Chamber of Commerce for Greater Milford, the festival is expected to feature more than 150 vendors, food trucks, live music, a brew garden, a car show, children’s games, a pet park and paddleboat rides. Fireworks will close the celebration at dusk, according to Visit Central Delaware.
The festival brings residents and visitors together while showcasing local businesses, nonprofit organizations, restaurants and community groups. Activities will stretch through the downtown area, giving attendees opportunities to explore Milford’s Riverwalk and nearby shops.
Duck Dash offers cash prizes
One of the festival’s signature attractions will be the Mispillion River Duck Dash, scheduled to begin at 3:30 p.m.
Participants may purchase numbered ducks for $5 each. The ducks will be released into the river, with prizes awarded based on the order in which they cross the finish line.
The first-place duck will earn its owner $500. Second place will receive $250, and third place will receive $100. Participants do not need to be present to win.
Duck Dash entries may be purchased through the Chamber’s website at milfordchamber.com.
A full day along the river
The festival’s mix of activities is designed to appeal to visitors of different ages and interests. Families can spend time in the Kids Corner, pet owners can visit the Pet Park, and automobile enthusiasts can explore the car show.
Food trucks and vendors will operate throughout the day, while live music and other entertainment will provide a backdrop for the celebration. Adults also can visit the festival’s brew garden.
The day will conclude with a fireworks display over Milford at dusk.
People who previously requested Chamber information but have not received festival emails are encouraged to check their spam or junk folders. Chamber messages may come from donotreply@chambermate.com.
Milford’s only fireworks of the season
The Riverwalk Freedom Festival will end with Milford’s only fireworks display of the season, making the nighttime show one of the day’s biggest attractions. Fireworks will be launched over the Mispillion River after dark, with organizers expecting the display to begin between 8:30 and 8:45 p.m.
Families should arrive early and find an open viewing spot along the Riverwalk or in Memorial Park. Visitors are encouraged to bring blankets or folding chairs and settle in before dusk, as the most popular viewing areas are expected to fill quickly. The display can be seen from several locations throughout downtown, but areas closest to the river will provide the clearest views.
The free fireworks show will bring the daylong festival to a dramatic close, lighting the sky above downtown Milford and giving residents their only opportunity this season to enjoy a community fireworks celebration without leaving the city.
To Go
- What: 26th annual Riverwalk Freedom Festival
- When: Saturday, Sept. 19, from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m.
- Where: Mispillion Riverwalk and downtown Milford
- Admission: Free
- Highlights: Live music, more than 150 vendors, food trucks, brew garden, car show, Kids Corner, Pet Park, paddleboat rides, Duck Dash and fireworks at dusk
- Duck Dash: 3:30 p.m.; entries are $5 per duck
- Information: milfordchamber.com or 302-422-3344
Milford LIVE has a team of contributing journalists who cover specific areas of the community. Our Journalist are professional and are paid for their contributions. If you have any questions, corrections, or issues, please reach out to our Publisher and Editor, George Rotsch, at George@DelawareLIVE.com. He can also be reached by phone at 302-354-5730.
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