Brandon Toole - NCC District 1
This resolution (R25-157) was just published for Tuesday's meeting. This resolution proposes the creation of a task force for the next reassessment.
Prime Sponsors
are Valerie George and Kevin Caneco.
The task force includes a broad representation, including three to five NCC residents to be appointed as Volunteer Community Leader Representatives.
Taskforce Goals
1) Examine past reassessment issues
2) Identify any systematic issues
3) Gather public input
4) Recommend council action (revisions of laws, ordinances, policies, or regulation)
5) Address any other issues
6) Consider reforms
This is a big lift to start, so the intent was to introduce this swiftly with a goal of an initial meeting of Sept. 30th, 2025!
Prime Sponsor(s): Ms. George, Mr. Caneco
Date of introduction: September 9, 2025
RESOLUTION NO. 25-157
APPOINTING A TASK FORCE TO EXAMINE
REASSESSMENT OF NEW CASTLE COUNTY
1 WHEREAS, in 2021 New Castle County, along with Kent and Sussex Counties,
2 initiated a general reassessment of the County; and
3
4 WHEREAS, with the excessive amount of time in between reassessments, the
5 recent reassessment resulted in, at times, unexpected outcomes; and
6
7 WHEREAS, given the time between reassessments, it is also advisable that New
8 Castle County assess and review the outcomes; and
9
10 WHEREAS, despite recent legislative efforts by New Castle County Council to
11 provide relief, by way of additional exemptions for example, many residents continue to
12 face high tax bills and households are spending a significant share of their income on
13 taxes, all amid broader increases in the cost of living; and
14
15 WHEREAS, this Resolution proposes the creation of a task force which is intended
16 to exist short term but is dedicated to working towards a goal of finding and proposing
17 solutions that can be considered by County Council to effectuate change, long term,
18 especially given that the next reassessment must be initiated within the next two years to
19 ensure that the follow up reassessment is completed within the requisite five years (by
20 2030); and
21
22 WHEREAS, County Council believes it is appropriate and in the best interests of
23 the County and its residents to establish a task force to consider various issues relating
24 to reassessments, to identify any systemic issues, seek to find rational explanations to
25 understand certain outcomes, gather public input and, where necessary and appropriate,
26 propose reforms to avoid future challenges.
27
28 NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by and for the County Council of New
29 Castle County that County Council hereby establishes a Task Force to study and make
30 findings and recommendations concerning reassessments in New Castle County.
31
32 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Task Force shall include individuals who
33 have a broad range of expertise, who represent a cross-section of the community, and/or
34 who have knowledge, experience, and/or interest in the reassessment process, including
35 the following:
36 1. At least four members of New Castle County Council;
37 2. At least one of the Co-Chairs of the Council Finance Committee;
38 3. At least one of the Co-Chairs of the Council Community Services Committee;
39 4. A representative of the Board of Assessment Review;
40 5. The General Manager of the County Department of Land Use or his designee;
41 6. A representative from the Department of Finance;
42 7. A representative from a professional organization that represents seniors and
43 retired individuals;
44 8. A representative of the New Castle County Board of Realtors;
45 9. An expert in taxation, preferably with experience in reassessments;
46 10. Other relevant experts as determined by the Task Force;
47 11. Three to five residents of New Castle County to be appointed as Volunteer
48 Community Leader Representatives, with the goal of fairly representing the various
49 geographical segments of the County.
50
51 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Task Force shall:
52 1. Consider and examine issues or concerns relating to past reassessments to
53 effectively guide future reassessments;
54 2. Identify any systemic issues. Investigate for any burdensome taxes and causes
55 thereof and look for ways to ensure the system is fair and accurate;
56 3. Gather public input. Hold public meetings and listening sessions for the purpose
57 of hearing from and communicating with the public, property owners, community
58 advocates, stakeholders, interested parties, and subject matter experts regarding
59 concerns and priorities;
60 4. Assess and recommend to Council actions to be considered in the enactment or
61 revision of laws, ordinances, policies, or regulations relating to reassessment, and
62 identify potential changes;
63 5. Address other issues relating to reassessment that are not otherwise identified or
64 addressed in the preceding points, but in the determination of the Task Force are
65 relevant and important to its purpose and to the County and its residents; and
66 6. Consider reforms. The work of the Task Force shall culminate in a report which
67 may include recommendations for legislative or administrative changes, such as
68 new tax structures, improved appraisal methods, or reforms to, for example, the
69 appeal process, and is to be submitted to County Council and the County
70 Executive by March 2, 2026, and distributed publicly.
71
72 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Task Force is strongly encouraged to invite
73 individuals with relevant expertise to participate in Task Force discussions and, where
74 appropriate, to provide research, advice, support, or other functions helpful in
75 accomplishing the mission and goals of the Task Force.
76
77 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that:
78 1. Official action by the Task Force, including making findings and recommendations,
79 requires the approval of a quorum of the Task Force, which is at least a majority of its
80 members;
81 2. The Task Force will conduct its meetings under the Robert’s Rules of Order, but
82 may also adopt other procedural rules it deems helpful for its operation.
83 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Task Force members shall elect two Co-
84 Chairs, who are responsible for guiding the administration of the Task Force, which
85 includes:
86 1. Setting a date no later than September 30, 2025, a time, and place for the initial
87 organizational meeting;
88 2. Establishing at least monthly meetings through February 2026;
89 3. Notifying the individuals who are members of the Task Force of its formation and,
90 if applicable, notifying a person of the need to nominate or appoint a member;
91 4. Supervising the preparation, posting, and distribution of meeting notices, agendas,
92 minutes, correspondence, and reports of the Task Force;
93 5. Providing support staff and materials necessary for the Task Force to carry out its
94 mission; and
95 6. Providing the members of County Council, the County Executive, and the
96 members of the Task Force, after the first meeting, the names of the Task Force
97 members as follows:
98 a. By position, including if serving as a designee of a member serving by virtue
99 of position.
100 b. By appointment, including the entity the member represents.
101
102 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Co-Chairs of the Task Force are to compile
103 a final report containing a summary of the work of the Task Force relating to the matters
104 assigned to it under this Resolution, including findings and recommendations, and to
105 submit the final report to New Castle County Council, the County Executive, the members
106 of the Task Force, and the public by no later than March 2, 2026.
Adopted by County Council of
New Castle County on:
_____________________
Monique Williams-Johns
President of County Council
of New Castle County
SYNOPSIS: This Resolution establishes a Task Force to study and make findings and
recommendations concerning reassessments of New Castle County.
FISCAL NOTE: There is no discernible fiscal impact with the adoption of this legislation.
