AN ACT TO AMEND THE CHARTER OF THE CITY OF NEW CASTLE RELATING TO PROPERTY TAX RATES.

Plain English Breakdown

While the official text states the tax must be sufficient to cover the budget, it no longer requires rates to be 'just and equal portions' for all properties since varying rates are now allowed based on classification.

New Property Tax Rules for New Castle

This law changes the city charter of New Castle to let officials charge different tax rates based on whether a property is used as a home, business, or factory.

What This Bill Does

• Amends Section 18 of the City of New Castle Charter regarding budgets and taxes.
• Allows the City Council to set varying tax rates for real estate instead of one single rate.
• Requires that these different rates be based on how a property is classified, such as residential or commercial.

Who It Names or Affects

• The City Council of New Castle
• Property owners in New Castle with homes (residential)
• Property owners in New Castle with businesses or factories (commercial and industrial)

Terms To Know

Charter

The official document that sets the rules for how a city government operates.

Levy

To officially set or impose a tax amount on property owners.

Property Classification

The category used to describe how land and buildings are used, such as for living in or running a business.

Limits and Unknowns

• The text does not list the specific tax rates that will be charged.
• The effective date of this law is not provided in the source material.
• The bill does not explain how much money each property type must pay.

Official Summary Text

AN ACT TO AMEND THE CHARTER OF THE CITY OF NEW CASTLE RELATING TO PROPERTY TAX RATES.
This Act amends the Charter of the City of New Castle by authorizing the City Council to levy taxes on real property at varying rates based upon property classification (e.g. residential, commercial, or industrial).

Current Bill Text

Legislation Document

SPONSOR:

Rep. Minor-Brown & Sen. Poore

Rep. Cooke

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

153rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HOUSE BILL NO. 144

AN ACT TO AMEND THE CHARTER OF THE CITY OF NEW CASTLE RELATING TO PROPERTY TAX RATES.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF DELAWARE (Two-thirds of all members elected to each house thereof concurring therein):

Section 1. Amend Section 18 of the Charter of the City of New Castle by making deletions as shown by strike through and insertions as shown by underline as follows:

Section 18. Budget

The Council shall, on or before the first Monday in each July, meet and ascertain, as near as may be, the amount necessary to cover the net expenses of the government of said City for the current fiscal year, including, but not limited to, the maintenance of streets, police assessment, collection of taxes and cost of trash collection; and shall make up a budget containing the items and estimated amounts necessary to cover each and every branch and item of said City government. And immediately after the assessment and valuation shall have been finally settled and adjusted under the provisions of this Act, the said Council shall proceed to levy a tax on the real property, thus valued and assessed,

in just and equal portions and rates,

sufficient to cover the aggregate of said budget.

SYNOPSIS

This Act amends the Charter of the City of New Castle by authorizing the City Council to levy taxes on real property at varying rates based upon property classification (e.g. residential, commercial, or industrial).