Bipartisan Hearings Over Property Tax Increases Questioned by Delaware Republicans as Alleged "Superficial Appearance" of Unity
Delaware Lawmakers Launch Investigation into Property Reassessment Process
Delaware lawmakers have taken a significant step towards addressing concerns over the state's property reassessment process, following a special session earlier this month. A resolution was passed, calling for a statewide review of the process, and hearings have been scheduled for late September to November.
The issue at hand revolves around the New Castle County property reassessments, which occur once in 40 years, and have caused a stir due to a perceived shift in the tax burden. While homeowners have seen significant increases in county and school taxes, commercial property values have decreased on average.
The reassessment process has been carried out by Tyler Technologies, a company that has defended its methodology, stating it used industry best practices. However, this has not stopped criticism, with some council members rejecting an audit of the process.
The hearings, announced by Democratic leaders, are set to delve deep into the property reassessment process, with Senate Majority Leader Bryan Townsend leading the charge. New Castle County Executive Marcus Henry has pledged to work with state lawmakers during this inquiry.
However, the process has not been without controversy. House Republicans have rebuked the hearings, stating they were not consulted by Democratic leadership before the announcement. This lack of communication has been a point of concern for House Minority Leader Tim Dukes.
The discussions, which spanned about two hours, saw several residents express outrage at their treatment during the meeting, with some council members even laughing during public comments. Council members who opposed the resolution have accused supporters of political theatre and buying into conspiracy theories.
The resolution passed during the special session has also been criticized for its lack of specificity regarding public involvement and deliverables. Despite this, legislators plan to examine the property valuation methodologies used by Tyler Technologies during Delaware's reassessments.
As the investigation unfolds, it remains to be seen how the state will address the issues raised by the property reassessment process and whether it will lead to a fairer distribution of the tax burden.
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