Councilman Carter urges General Assembly to require fiscal-impact analyses for laws affecting counties

Councilman Carter told the New Castle County Finance Committee on May 26 that state legislation has created unanticipated costs for county government and that the General Assembly should be required to perform and share comprehensive fiscal‑impact analyses that include county effects.

"My estimate is about 2.5% of our tax increase is coming from it," Carter said during his remarks outlining R26‑111, which would urge the Delaware General Assembly to require fiscal-impact analyses for bills that affect county operations, services or revenues. He listed examples that have raised county costs, including changes to paramedic funding, dog-control mandates and requirements tied to tax mailings.

Carter said the lack of consistent intergovernmental consultation has shifted costs to the county. Several council members, including Councilman Cartier and Councilman Koneko, praised the resolution and asked to be cosponsors. The chair later told a public commenter that the resolution would be tabled for further work and not voted on that night.

What happens next: Committee staff and sponsors will refine the resolution and consider drafting language or outreach to the state legislature. The committee did not adopt R26‑111 at the May 26 meeting.