Government of Sussex County

Del. Code tit. 9, ch. 61

in effect

Del. Code tit. 9, § 6101 Definitions.

As used in this part: (1) “County” means Sussex County. (2) The words “Sussex County government” or words of similar import, means the government of Sussex County as established in Chapter 70 of this title.

Del. Code tit. 9, § 6102 Borrowing power; limitations.

(a) The government of Sussex County may, from time to time, borrow money in such amounts as it may find necessary promptly to pay the county warrants issued by it, and may issue certificates of indebtedness as evidence thereof; provided, however, that the amount of money borrowed shall not, at any 1 time, exceed the sum of $2,000,000. (b) Any money so borrowed shall be applied to the particular fund for which it shall be borrowed, and shall be repaid from the taxes apportioned to such funds, as the taxes shall be collected. If the taxes apportioned to any fund, as to which money shall be borrowed, shall not in any year, be sufficient to repay such money, the deficiency shall be considered in making up the annual budget or estimate for the next year, and a tax rate shall be levied and apportioned sufficient to equalize such deficiency. (c) The government of Sussex County may, from time to time, borrow money in such amounts as it may find necessary from federal and state grant funds, provided, that the same shall not be subject to the limitations set forth in subsection (a) of this section, that the same shall be repaid as set forth in subsection (b) of this section, and that the same shall be permitted by the granting authority.

Del. Code tit. 9, § 6103 Surplus funds; investment of.

The county government may invest any surplus moneys in the County Treasury, not otherwise appropriated, in United States Government Bonds. The Bonds shall be purchased and held in the name of “the Sussex County government.”

Del. Code tit. 9, § 6104 Salaries of clerks.

The county government may fix the compensation of clerks employed in the several county offices in all cases where clerical assistance is, by law, authorized to be employed in those offices and in respect of which no salary or compensation has been fixed by law.

Del. Code tit. 9, § 6105 Fire companies.

The county government shall appropriate annually and on May 1 of each year shall pay the sum of $1,000 to each regularly organized and motorized fire company in Sussex County, as certified by the Secretary of the Sussex County Volunteer Firemen’s Association, to be used for the maintenance of their apparatus and equipment.

Del. Code tit. 9, § 6106 Ambulance service.

(a) So long as any of the organizations listed in this subsection shall have an ambulance and provide ambulance service for the benefit of the residents of Sussex County, the county government shall appropriate annually, and on May 1 of each year shall pay, the sum of $500 to such organization for the maintenance of its ambulance. Bridgeville Fire Company, at Bridgeville. Delmar Fire Department, Inc., at Delmar. Frankford Volunteer Fire Company, at Frankford. Gumboro Volunteer Fire Company. Laurel Fire Department, at Laurel. The Rehoboth Beach Volunteer Fire Company, Inc., at Rehoboth Beach. Seaford Volunteer Fire Company, at Seaford. Selbyville American Legion Post 9, Inc. Sussex Memorial Post, No. 7422, V.F.W. at Millsboro. Sussex Post No. 8, Incorporated, American Legion. (b) So long as Sussex Post, No. 9, American Legion, at Georgetown, shall have an ambulance and provide ambulance service for the benefit of the residents of Sussex County, the county government shall appropriate annually and on May 1 in each year shall pay the sum of $250 to it for the maintenance of its ambulance. (c) So long as Carlisle Fire Company, of Milford, shall have an ambulance and provide ambulance service for the benefit of the residents of Kent and Sussex Counties, the county government may appropriate and pay to it annually the sum of $250 for the maintenance of its ambulance. (d) So long as Lewes Fire Department of Lewes, Delaware, shall have an ambulance and provide ambulance service for the benefit of the residents of Sussex County, the county government shall appropriate annually and on May 1 of each year shall pay the sum of $500 to it for the maintenance of its ambulance.

Del. Code tit. 9, § 6107 Cities and towns; aid for maintenance of public dumping areas.

The county government of Sussex County may negotiate with the proper authorities of the various cities and towns, and with private individuals or contractors within the County as to the establishment of public dumping areas open to the use of the general public, and further the said county government may expend such sums as it deems necessary as cost to the County in the purchase of land for said disposal or in the various contracts with the towns, cities and private individuals or contractors. The county government of Sussex County may tax the general public of Sussex County annually to defray the cost and expenses of the public dumping areas.

Del. Code tit. 9, § 6108 Return Day observance.

The county government may appropriate and pay funds to Sussex County Return Day, Inc., a Delaware corporation, to defray the costs of the observance of Return Day at Georgetown.

Del. Code tit. 9, § 6109 Operation of Courthouse.

The county government shall have full and complete jurisdiction and control over the Courthouse and Courthouse Annex of Sussex County and over all personal property and equipment used in connection with the property committed to its jurisdiction; and, in this connection, the county government shall have and assume all of the jurisdiction, powers and duties heretofore exercised by or vested in the Board of Trustees pertaining to said buildings. All contracts and engagements for the erection or repair of said buildings or for the purchase of equipment and supplies, where the probable amount shall be in excess of $5,000, shall be submitted to public bidding after due advertising and shall be awarded to the lowest responsible bidder, unless for reasons deemed expedient by the county government.

Del. Code tit. 9, § 6110 Rules and regulations.

The county government shall make and promulgate rules and regulations for the proper care, maintenance and operation of the Courthouse and Courthouse Annex.

Del. Code tit. 9, § 6111 Real or immovable property; acquisition, lease, rental or disposal.

(a) The county government may acquire real or immovable property in such amounts as it may find necessary to fulfill the needs of the County. (b) The county government may enter into a lease or rental agreement with any public or private entity for any real or immovable property of the County. (c) The county government may dispose of any real or immovable property not needed by the County.

Source: DE Code (Official Site)URL: https://delcode.delaware.gov/title9/c061/index.htmlFetched: 10/4/2026