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DelawareSB 220153rd General Assembly (2024–2026)SenateWALLET

AN ACT TO AMEND THE CHARTER OF THE VILLAGE OF ARDEN.

Sponsored By: Ray Seigfried (Democratic)

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

8 provisions identified: 4 benefits, 1 costs, 3 mixed.

Arden can contract and share costs

The Town Assembly can contract for Village services, supplies and work serving a municipal purpose. Each formal contract needs the Chair’s signature and a second Village official as witness. Arden can also work jointly and share financing with other governments, including New Castle County, other states and federal agencies. The law names no project and sets no spending amount.

Arden gets a new municipal charter

The law replaces Arden’s prior charter and establishes its powers as a municipal corporation. The Village can hold and sell property, and the Town Assembly can set procedures where the charter leaves gaps. Its roughly 159-acre boundary includes the 5.026-acre Sherwood Forest addition, purchased February 7, 2004. It also includes the 1.6-acre Mill Race addition, purchased June 30, 2017. Existing lawful Village acts and ordinances remain in force unless changed.

Arden residents can review Village records

The Town Assembly must compile Village laws, policies and rules and make copies available for public review. The Secretary must record new enactments and changes and keep copies available. Residents, Trustees and leaseholders can also inspect Village books, records and journals for legitimate information. Those inspections take place with the Secretary present at a convenient time.

Arden residents vote on Village spending

A five-resident Budget Committee prepares the annual budget, including spending of ground-rent money and other funds not governed by higher law. The Town Assembly can amend the proposal, but the final budget needs Assembly approval and a Village referendum. If the referendum fails, the prior year’s budget remains in use until a new budget wins approval.

Arden can require property transfers

The Town Assembly has exclusive authority to acquire property interests within Village limits through eminent domain, meaning a forced transfer. That authority serves municipal purposes. The Assembly can also consent to a Delaware agency using eminent domain for a lawful purpose, but need not consent. The law approves no specific taking and sets no compensation terms.

Arden leaseholders can challenge assessment rates

A Board of Assessors sets the assessment rate affecting leaseholders’ ground-rent costs, considering rental value or the Village’s community standard of living. Its seven members and one non-voting alternate serve one-year terms; the Board also considers differences among leaseholds. It must hold at least two open hearings and report its rate at the regular June Assembly meeting. A leaseholder can propose another rate at the regular September meeting. If two-thirds of residents voting approve that proposal, both rates go to a Village referendum. The rate winning a majority of valid votes stays in effect until redetermined; the law sets no specific payment amount.

Arden can enforce rules with penalties

The Town Assembly can make local rules on government, public order, health, safety and property, and appoint enforcement officials. Ordinance changes generally require written submission and readings at two consecutive meetings before a vote, with limited exceptions. Violations can bring fines and penalties within Delaware’s limits; this law sets no specific fine. The nearest Justice of the Peace Court hears offenses committed within Village limits, with imprisonment also subject to state limits. People convicted of violating a Village ordinance can appeal to New Castle County Superior Court.

Arden residents govern through direct votes

The Town Assembly holds Arden’s governing powers, and each eligible resident attending a meeting gets one vote. Voting requires age 18 or older and six consecutive months of Village residence immediately before the meeting or referendum. Regular meetings fall on the fourth Monday of January, March, June and September; 35 residents form a quorum. A simple majority carries meeting votes unless the charter sets another threshold. The Registration Committee records voting eligibility, oversees elections and referenda, and certifies results. It has five elected residents and three non-voting members: Arden’s Senior Trustee, the Assembly Secretary and the Trustee’s Clerk.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Ray Seigfried

    Democratic • Senate

Cosponsors

  • Larry Lambert

    Democratic • House

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

Actions Timeline

  1. SS 1 for SB 220 - Signed by Governor

    5/21/2026Governor

  2. SS 1 for SB 220 - Passed By House. Votes: 38 YES 3 ABSENT

    4/21/2026House

  3. SS 1 for SB 220 - Reported Out of Committee (Administration) in House with 4 On Its Merits, 1 Unfavorable

    3/25/2026House

  4. SS 1 for SB 220 - Assigned to Administration Committee in House

    3/5/2026House

  5. SS 1 for SB 220 - Passed By Senate. Votes: 21 YES

    1/29/2026Senate

  6. SS 1 for SB 220 - Reported Out of Committee (Elections & Government Affairs) in Senate with 4 On Its Merits

    1/29/2026Senate

  7. Substituted in Senate by SS 1 for SB 220

    1/28/2026Senate

  8. Amendment SA 1 to SB 220 - Introduced and Placed With Bill

    1/20/2026Senate

  9. Introduced and Assigned to Elections & Government Affairs Committee in Senate

    1/8/2026Senate

Bill Text

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