NCC extends deadline to appeal to new reassessment values

New Castle County Executive Marcus Henry signed a county ordinance that extends the deadline for property owners to formally appeal their reassessed property values with the Board of Assessment Review.

The ordinance, sponsored by Councilman George Smiley, was voted on this morning in a special session with all members present voting for its passage.

The ordinance officially extends the current Friday, March 14 deadline for appeals to be submitted to Monday, March 31.

READ: 8 finalists revealed in Delaware’s ‘Coolest Thing Contest’

“We know the reassessment process is important and complicated, and I’m glad we could act quickly to give folks more time to gather information for their formal appeals,” Henry said. “I’m grateful for our partnership with County Council and their willingness to hold two special sessions to make sure we got this passed on time.”

The reassessments stem from a lawsuit settlement a few years ago.

The NAACP of Delaware and Delawareans for Educational Opportunity filed a lawsuit against the state that year, claiming the lack of consistent reassessments had denied adequate funding for Delaware schools, particularly those serving disadvantaged students.

Among other requirements, the decision of that lawsuit required Delaware to conduct property reassessments.

Residents from all three counties have been receiving letters for their new property value, but hundreds if not thousands are expected to challenge the new values.

Appeal forms and more details can be found on the County website. The ordinance also adjusts certain other budgetary deadlines to accommodate the extension of the appeal deadline. Helpful information about the formal appeal process are available in a FAQ document, also available on the county website.