City of New Castle Announces New Tax Rate & Expanded Exemptions for Fiscal Year 2026
City of New Castle Announces New Tax Rate & Expanded Exemptions for Fiscal Year 2026
On Thursday, June 26th, City Council approved the Fiscal Year 2026(FY 2026) Budget for the period of July 1, 2025- June 30, 2026, after a thoughtful and lengthy budget season. Council also adopted the new County property assessments and determined the “rollback rate” from the previous tax rate, to be .23799 per $100 of assessed value. The “rollback rate’ is the amount which would provide the City with the same amount of revenue as the old county taxable value with the new county taxable value. The previous tax rate was 1.2 of $100 of assessed value which generated $3.1 million and the “rollback rate” of .23799 per $100 of assessed value would also generate that same amount of revenue. After careful consideration and determining the need for additional revenue, City Council determined that it was necessary to raise City taxes for Fiscal Year 2026 to .35635499 per $100 of assessed value. Tax Bills will be sent out in July 2025.
Senior Citizen Property Tax Exemption and Disability Tax Exemption Extended through September 1, 2025 for Fiscal Year 2026 tax billing.
During the Fiscal Year 2026 Budget process, City Council approved ordinances to extend the deadline for Senior Citizen Property Tax Exemptions and Disability Tax Exemptions through September 1, 2025 and have raised the income limits and exemption amount on assessed valuation to allow for more residents to take advantage of the program. Residents who have already applied and have been accepted to receive a tax exemption for Fiscal Year 2026, do not need to re-apply for Fiscal Year 2026. Residents must re-apply each year to ensure the below qualifications are met.
Here are the details:
- Single property owners whose income, excluding social security, shall not exceed $25,000 are eligible for exemption
- Married property owners whose income, excluding social security, shall not exceed $50,000 are eligible for exemption
- Exemptions are applicable to the first $173,000 of assessed valuation, for those who meet the eligible criteria
- Property Owners must reside at the property or in an assisted living facility to qualify for the exemption
To see if you qualify for the exemption, please schedule an appointment with Diane Delgado, Finance/HR Specialist to complete your application. Please call the City Administration Office to schedule your appointment (302) 322-9801.
What to bring:
- Driver’s License or ID
- Copy of 2024 Federal IRS and State Division of Revenue Income Tax Return filed in 2025
- For Disability Tax Exemption, please provide your social security statement/ medical letter.
Delayed Interest on Late Tax Payments through December 1, 2025 for Fiscal Year 2026 tax billing:
Interest charges in the amount of 6% in October and 1.5% each month after are typically applied. For Fiscal Year 2026, taxes paid on or after October 1, 2025 are subject to an interest charge of 1.5% October, an additional interest charge of 1.5% in November and 6% for the month of December. For each consecutive month after December, an additional interest charge of 1% will be applied.
West 3rd St Closed Notice – Foundry Street to South Street – June 26th
Street Closed Notification 6-25-25
THE MUNICIPAL SERVICES COMMISSION
OF THE
CITY OF NEW CASTLE, DELAWARE 19720-0208
PHONE: 323-2330 FAX: 323-2337
S T R E E T C L O S E D N O T I C E
DATE: June 25, 2025
TO: Water Customers
FROM: The Municipal Services Commission
Water Department
RE: West 3rd Street Closed from Foundry Street to South Street
———————————————————————————————————————-
IMPORTANT NOTICE TO OUR WATER CUSTOMERS
There will be a Street Closure on Thursday, June 26th on West 3rd Street from Foundry Street to South Street. In the event of heavy or steady rain, the closure may be rescheduled.
The Street Closure will be for replacing the water service at 56 West 3rd Street. The street closure is expected to last from 8:00am until 3:00pm, but could last longer due to unforeseen complications.
Please plan for this street closure by parking in an area outside of the work zone.
The Municipal Services Commission requests your cooperation during this interruption and regrets any inconvenience it may cause to our customers.
If you have a special problem or need, we should know about or give special consideration to, please contact Ryan Jaeger, Water Utility Supervisor, at 323-2333 or 221-4519 between 7:00am and 3:30pm, Monday through Friday.
Thank You.
NOTICE: Full Closure of River Road between Clymer Street and Carroll Drive Starting July 7th
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
PLEASE NOTE THE START DATE HAS CHANGED
June 26, 2025
NOTICE: Full Closure of River Road between Clymer Street and Carroll Drive Starting JULY 7.
The New Castle City Police Department is alerting all motorists that River Road south of Dobbinsville, between Clymer Street and Carroll Drive, will be closed to all traffic beginning Monday, July 7th, 2025. The project is expected to last four weeks,
This will be a hard closure to accommodate necessary construction, and the road will be completely impassable during this time.
Motorists are reminded that this is the same area where drivers have previously become accustomed to attempting to evade closure signs during flooding events. Unlike those prior incidents, this is a full construction closure—vehicles that ignore posted signs will be forced to turn around in residential areas, causing unnecessary traffic congestion and disrupting the quality of life for those residents.
Motorists found moving, damaging, or bypassing “Road Closed” signs will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.
We appreciate your cooperation and understanding as DELDOT works to complete this necessary infrastructure improvement.
For more information or questions regarding this closure, please visit DelDOT Projects Portal – Delaware Department of Transportation
Revised Public Works Schedule for Week of June 19th
City Offices will be closed on Thursday, June 19th for Juneteenth.
Public Works Department Holiday Pick-up Schedule:
**REVISED PUBLIC WORKS SCHEDULE FOR WEEK OF JUNE 19TH**
- Citywide Recycle Pick Up on Friday, June 20th
**REVISED STREET SWEEPING SCHEDULE FOR WEEK OF JUNE 19TH**
Regular Revised
Thursday, June 19th Friday, June 20th
Rt 9 Road Closure
Paving Will Close a Section of Route 9 During the Daytime
Motorists should be aware that Route 9 will be closed from 6 a.m. to 5 p.m. for paving between Carroll Drive and Clymer Street in Dobbinsville. The paving will start on Monday, June 23rd and will continue until Sunday, July 6th. This work is weather permitting.
Motorists should use caution and expect minor delays in the area. For more information visit the DelDOT website at www.deldot.gov, download the DelDOT app or tune to 1380 am, WTMC.
Survey of Harmony and the Strand
“ Please be aware that survey crews from AECOM will be at the intersection of Harmony and Strand between Wednesday, June 11th, and Friday, June 13th. They will be gathering survey information through the intersection, including the roadway, curb and sidewalks for a distance of approximately 50 feet in each direction. This effort is in support of the design work needed to provide ADA ramps at this intersection. There should be no disruption to traffic or pedestrians while the survey work is being completed.”
Separation Day Information
Separation Day is this weekend, Friday, June 6th and Saturday, June 7th. All details can be found here: separationdayde.com
Important Event Highlights are below:
Separation Day Kickoff Party- Friday, June 6, 2025 6-9pm
Separation Day Parade- Saturday, June 7, 2025 1:00 PM
Separation Day Festival- Saturday, June 7, 2025 2:00 PM – 9:30 PM
Below is a map detailing traffic restriction, the parade route, bus stops for pre- parade and post-parade, etc.
The following streets will be closed during the parade:
- 6th Street from South Street to Chestnut Street
- Delaware Street from 6th Street to the Wharf
- 3rd Street from Penn Street to Harmony Street
The following streets will be closed for the remainder of the event:
- Delaware Street from 3rd Street to the Wharf
- West 3rd Street from Delaware Street to South Street
- South Street from 5th Street to Battery Park
Free Parking is available at the following locations:
- Carrie Downie Elementary (1201 Delaware St.) – Shuttle bus service will be provided
- William Penn High (713 E. Basin Rd.) – Shuttle bus service will be provided
- Municipal lot at 2nd & Chestnut streets
- Paved/grass lot at 4th & Chestnut streets
FREE Shuttle Bus Service is provided for Separation Day from the parade through fireworks. The shuttles will run on Saturday from 12:30pm until 30 minutes following the Fireworks show. There is no cost or ticket needed to take advantage of the shuttles and they are the recommended way to enter the city for the fireworks.
- Shuttle Bus Stops
- Carrie Downie Elementary
(1201 Delaware St., New Castle, DE 19720) - William Penn High School
(713 E. Basin Rd., New Castle, DE 19720)
- Carrie Downie Elementary
- Drop-offs and pickups pre-parade are on 7th & Delaware streets. Drop-offs and pickups post parade are on 2nd & Delaware streets. Those looking to ride the bus back to their parking spot after fireworks conclude should meet bus at corner of 2nd & Delaware streets. Be sure to get on the bus displaying the sign of the school parking lot where you parked.
Conversations with Councilmen Carter and Caneco
City Offices Closed Monday, May 26th
City Offices will be closed on Monday, May 26th for the Memorial Day Holiday.
**REVISED PUBLIC WORKS SCHEDULE FOR WEEK OF May 26th **
- There will be NO Trash Pick-up on Monday, May 26th
Regular Schedule Revised Schedule
Monday, May 26th Tuesday, May 27th
Tuesday, May 27th Wednesday, May 28th
- Yard Waste Pick Up on Thursday, May 29th
- Citywide Recycle Pick Up on Friday, May 30th
MSC Annual Fire Hydrant Flushing Notice
N O T I C E
Municipal Services Commission
2025 Annual Hydrant Flushing Program
The Municipal Services Commission Water Department will begin our annual Fire Hydrant Flushing Program on Monday, June 2rd. Flushing will begin at 7:30am and end at 3:00pm Monday through Friday taking approximately 10 business days to complete. Our Hydrant Flushing Program is important to our water system and is an integral part of our goal to deliver the safest and highest quality water possible. Additionally, it ensures fire protection is available by testing the operation of our hydrants.
The Municipal Services Commission schedules our flushing program when demands are lower using a carefully planned route to control the direction of flow with in the distribution system. Customers should not experience service interruptions during the flushing process.
The flushing process may cause some temporary water discoloration. There is no health hazard associated with the discolored water. If you notice discolored water, run several cold water taps at the same time until the water is clear. Avoid using your cold or hot water and doing laundry until you are certain the water is clear.
The Municipal Services Commission urges all residents to exercise caution while traveling around the hydrant flushing crews as water may accumulate in the flushing area.
Your understanding and cooperation during this process is appreciated. If you have questions or would like additional information, please contact the Municipal Services Commission Water Department at 302-323-2333 between 7:00am and 3:30pm Monday through Friday.
220 Delaware Street • New Castle, DE 19720
Phone: (302) 322-9801
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