Rehoboth Beach Commissioners Approve Budget

The Rehoboth Beach commissioners at their regular meeting Friday, March 16, unanimously voted to approve the $21 million balanced budget for the 2018-19 fiscal year. Included in the operating budget are expenses of $2.1 million for city administration, $2.8 million for the police department, $3.2 million for the streets department, and $1.1 million for the parking department. The budget calls for $1.3 million in parking meter revenue, $1.3 million in property tax revenue, $1.4 million in transfer tax revenue, and $2 million in rental tax revenue. An increase of $975,000 is expected from the rental tax that was raised from three percent to six percent. The approved budget is set to include parking permit fee increases. The weekly permits will increase from $60 to $80, three-day weekend permits from $35 to $45, weekend daily from $15 to $20, and the weekday daily from $10 to $15. Deauville Beach seasonal permits will increase from $75 to $250, and daily permits from $10 to $20. Bus permits for parking at City Hall will raise from $50 to $250. City Manager Sharon Lynn said, “We’re moving up in terms of permit prices so that we can start to fund critical projects.” Lynn says the budget prioritizes public safety, growth and increasing operational efficiencies. She plans to improve operational efficiency by addressing employee safety, recruitment and development, and succession planning.