A few passing clouds. Low around 65F. Winds light and variable..
A few passing clouds. Low around 65F. Winds light and variable.
Updated: June 5, 2026 @ 10:08 pm
DOVER, Del. – Dover officials are considering a new public safety fee to help cover the rising costs of police and fire services, but questions remain about who should ultimately pay for it.
The proposed ordinance would establish a dedicated Public Safety Fund, with revenue used for police and fire department administrative costs, capital expenses and debt service. City leaders say the fee would provide a stable, long-term funding source as public safety expenses continue to grow.
According to Dover City Manager Sharon Duca, the city’s public safety costs are outpacing revenue generated through property taxes.
“For Fiscal 2027, we’re looking at an operational and capital budget for the police department of $29 million,” Duca said. “Our taxes alone, even with the proposed increase, are $19 million.”
Duca said the city is facing rising personnel costs, state-mandated expenses such as body-worn cameras, and increasing costs for equipment and vehicles.
“The city’s responsibility is paying for the fire trucks, which are getting more and more expensive,” she said.
The proposal has sparked mixed reactions from residents and business owners.
Some Dover business owners we spoke with tell us they understand the need to fund public safety, but worry about the impact an additional fee could have on local businesses.
Others believe the investment is necessary.
Dover resident Dawn McGaha said public safety should remain a priority, even if it means paying slightly more each month.
“There’s crime that’s happening downtown,” McGaha said. “And I would rather pay this little bit of money on my utility bill than continue to see those things destroy our town.”
McGaha added that maintaining a safe community is worth the additional cost.
“If we want to keep our town, we’re going to have to pay for it,” she said.
As discussions have continued, city leaders say the proposal has already evolved.
Duca said the original plan included a fee for residential utility customers. However, after concerns were raised during budget discussions, council members removed the residential portion from consideration for Fiscal Year 2027.
“For the residents, it was originally proposed at $4 a month, but due to action taken by council during the budget hearings, they’ve taken the residential portion to zero for Fiscal 2027,” Duca said.
City officials are now discussing a structure that would apply the fee only to commercial properties, with rates varying based on business size.
Duca said the ordinance would also create a dedicated fund to ensure any revenue collected is used exclusively for public safety expenses.
“The ordinance proposes establishing a special fund just for public safety,” Duca said. “So that way we can make sure through our accounting that those expenses and revenues match up for public safety, that they’re not just a general fund revenue.”
No final decision has been made on the proposal. Dover City Council is expected to continue discussing the ordinance at an upcoming meeting.
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