SB 183 — AN ACT TO AMEND THE CHARTER OF THE CITY OF HARRINGTON RELATING TO TERM LIMITS, BANKING, BUDGET AND AUDIT DEADLINES, SUCCESSION OF AUTHORITY, AND SIGNING CHECKS.

Summary

On February 18, 2025, the City of Harrington passed Resolution 25-R-02 to seek support from the General Assembly to amend the City Charter. This Act amends the City of Harrington Charter, as requested by the City Council, by doing all of the following: 1. Removing limitations on the number of terms that an individual may serve as Mayor or a member of the City Council. 2. Removing the requirement that City funds be placed in a bank located in the City and allow the funds to be placed in bank approved by the City Council. 3. Changing the annual budget deadline from May 1 to June 1. 4. Changing the deadline for the auditor of accounts to submit an audit report from within 120 days from the end of the fiscal year to within 150 days from the end of the fiscal year. 5. Removing the Clerk of Council from the succession of authority for Mayor. 6. Allowing an approved member of the City Council to sign checks in the Mayor’s absence. This Act also makes additional requested changes, not included in Resolution 25-R-02, by doing all of the following: 1. Moving the deadline to determine the City’s revenue needs from May 1 to June 1 to match the updated budget deadline. 2. Removing the City Treasurer’s authority to approve and countersign checks or warrants for paying bills or other claims against the City, so that the checks or warrants must be approved and signed by the City Manager and the Mayor, or a Council member designated by the Mayor. This Act also makes technical corrections to conform existing law to the standards of the Delaware Legislative Drafting Manual, including adding language to clarify that the Vice Mayor is elected from among the City Council members instead of appointed. This Act requires a greater than majority vote for passage because § 1 of Article IX of the Delaware Constitution requires the affirmative vote of two-thirds of the members elected to each house of the General Assembly to amend a municipal charter.

Bill Text

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The bill amends the Charter of the City of Harrington to remove term limits for the Mayor and City Council, modify banking procedures, and adjust budget and audit deadlines.

• 5.2.3

  No person shall serve as Mayor for more than two (2) consecutive terms. No person shall serve as a member of Council for more than three (3) consecutive terms.

  Removes term limits for the Mayor and City Council members.

• 7.2.3

  authorize deposit into federally-insured banking institutions located in the City as necessary. → authorize deposit into federally-insured banking institutions approved by the City Council, as necessary.

  Allows city funds to be deposited in banks approved by the City Council rather than being restricted to banks located in the City.

• 13.1

  On or before the first day of May each year, → On or before the first day of June each year,

  Extends the deadline for submitting the annual budget from May 1 to June 1.

• 17.4

  within one hundred twenty (120) days from the end of the fiscal year, → within 150 days from the end of the fiscal year.

  Extends the deadline for the auditor to submit the audit report from 120 days to 150 days after the fiscal year ends.

• 7.3

  the Clerk of the Council.

  Removes the Clerk of Council from the succession of authority for the Mayor.

• 7.2.3

  or Mayor, or a Council member approved by the Mayor. → or a Council member designated by the Mayor.

  Allows a designated Council member to countersign checks in the Mayor's absence.

• 13.2

  On or before the first day of May of each year → On or before the first day of June each year

  Aligns the revenue needs determination deadline with the updated budget deadline.

• 17.3

  approved by the City Council and countersigned by the Mayor and/or Treasurer. → approved and signed by the City Manager and the Mayor, or a Council member designated by the Mayor.

  Removes the City Treasurer's authority to approve and countersign checks or warrants.

• The Vice Mayor shall serve for a term of one year, or until the organizational meeting in June following the next succeeding election.

  Clarifies that the Vice Mayor is elected from the City Council members.

Action History

1. June 30, 2025

   Signed by Governor

2. June 30, 2025

   Passed By House. Votes: 40 YES 1 VACANT

3. June 25, 2025

   Reported Out of Committee (Administration) in House with 5 On Its Merits

4. June 25, 2025

   Assigned to Administration Committee in House

5. June 24, 2025

   Passed By Senate. Votes: 21 YES

6. June 18, 2025

   Reported Out of Committee (Elections & Government Affairs) in Senate with 2 Favorable, 4 On Its Merits

7. June 11, 2025

   Introduced and Assigned to Elections & Government Affairs Committee in Senate

Sponsors

• Shannon Morris · Primary
• Dave G. Lawson · Primary

Votes

Subjects