By Craig Anderson

SMYRNA — Town Council members are set to make budgeting decisions for the current year at Monday’s bimonthly meeting.

There’s a proposed operating budget of around $40 million to consider, along with a to-be-determined capital budget, town manager Sheldon Hudson said.

There’s also the potential to adjust property tax rates.

It’s a busy time for examining finances, considering the town is now being routinely audited by a contracted outside firm, Belfint Lyons & Shuman of Wilmington. Meantime, the state auditor is in the preliminary stages of a review, as requested by some Town Council members, Mr. Hudson said.

A 90-minute meeting Thursday allowed members to publicly discuss potential revisions to proposed budgeting. Mr. Hudson said the next day that he believes the talk was productive.

“It was conversational, and everyone was pretty diplomatic about it,” he said.

These moves became necessary because town officials have failed to pass a 2024 budget and are still operating on its 2023 fiscal plan. Smyrna’s fiscal years run from Jan. 1 to Dec. 31.

At this point, Mr. Hudson said, “it looks like adjustments are likely to water, sewer and property tax. It doesn’t look like we’ll have to touch on electric or trash (charges), thankfully.”

Senior tax exemptions will be discussed, as well.

Monday’s meeting, which will begin at 7 p.m. at Town Hall, 27 S. Market St., includes time for public comment. The agenda is available at smyrna.delaware.gov, and it can also be viewed via Zoom.