Proposed Charter Changes 2023

The City of Lewes is considering potential changes to the City of Lewes Charter. Any changes to the City of Lewes Charter are subject to approval by the Delaware General Assembly and Governor Carney. The charter changes currently being considered address the following areas: 

• Contracting procedures and competitive bidding thresholds;
• Authority to issue bonds for purchase of real estate and other purposes currently not authorized; 
• Clarification of borrowing thresholds for bond issuance other borrowing, including requiring that borrowing in excess of $5 million is subject to a referendum; 
• Elimination of the requirement that the appointed City assessor be a bona fide resident of the City of Lewes; 
• Authority for the City to, by ordinance, utilize the Sussex County real estate assessment and associated appeals process; 
• Adjustment to the cap on funds collected through real estate taxes; 
• Creation of a streamlined process with an improved notice requirement to affected property owners for sidewalk and curb replacement. 

Charter Amendment Proposal and Summary Documents

• Proposed Charter Amendments
• Memo Explaining Proposed Charter Amendments
• Power Point Presentation Explaining Proposed Charter Amendments

Public Comments Received

The City will accept public comments until 4:00 p.m. on Friday, May 5, 2023. You may use this form to submit comments. 

Comments Received through May 5