Over 200 residents turned out to the Western NC Region Republican Town Hall to hear from State Representatives Mike Smith (RD-22) and Kevin Hensley (RD-9) about the crushing impact of Delaware’s recent property tax reassessments.
For many—especially seniors and those on fixed incomes—the new bills are devastating. Some reported school taxes alone exceeding their monthly income. The reassessments, conducted by Tyler Technologies, have driven residential values sharply upward. On top of that, school districts can automatically increase tax revenues by up to 10% after reassessment—adding fuel to the fire.
Rep. Mike Smith called for a full audit of Tyler Technologies’ process, raising serious questions about accuracy, fairness, and transparency. Both Representatives pledged to fight for meaningful relief measures and to take residents’ stories directly to Dover.
The first step:
Government must immediately pause any and all tax increases—until the reassessment process is fully audited and proven fair. No family should be forced to pay higher taxes based on potentially flawed or inaccurate valuations.
The second step:
The law allowing school districts to automatically raise taxes by up to 10% after reassessment must be changed. Districts should be required to provide detailed financial statements and a clear justification before implementing any increase—ensuring accountability and preventing unnecessary tax hikes.
Why this matters:
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Delaware is already facing a state budget gap—Gov. Matt Meyer’s FY 2026 budget proposes new income tax brackets for higher earners to help close it.
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Property owners are feeling double pressure from both potential state tax changes and these unprecedented local property tax hikes.
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Lawmakers have called a special session on August 12 to address property tax concerns and possible legislative fixes.
What needs to happen with Tyler Technologies:
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Independent Audit – Verify assessment methodology, data accuracy, and error rates.
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Public Transparency – Release full details on how values were calculated and why some areas saw disproportionate jumps.
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Fair Appeal Process – Extend and simplify the appeals period, especially for seniors and fixed-income homeowners.
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Accountability – If errors or systemic flaws are found, require Tyler to make corrections at their expense—not the taxpayers’.
Bottom line: Delawareans deserve fair, transparent, and accurate assessments—and relief from crushing, unexpected tax burdens.
We will keep fighting for fairness and relief, and we will keep you informed each step of the way.
