Georgetown, Del., Aug. 21, 2007 – Sheriff Eric D. Swanson announced today that new fees will mean some changes for future sheriff’s sales in Sussex County.

Beginning Aug. 22, all sheriff’s sales will be subject to a 4 percent fee, up from 3 percent, on the total selling price of real property. The minimum amount to be collect by the Sheriff’s Office will increase from $300 to $500, but the cap will remain at $10,000. Also, for the first time, a one-time set-up fee will be charged on all sheriff’s sales. The fee will be $75.

Sheriff Swanson recommended the fee adjustments, which were adopted by the Sussex County Council following a public hearing Tuesday, Aug. 21. The Sheriff said the new fees will better offset the cost associated with sheriff’s sales, from producing copies to posting court orders.

The new fees would have generated an estimated $100,000 in additional revenue in Fiscal Year 2007.

“If there’s one constant in the world of business or government, it’s that costs are always on the rise,” Sheriff Swanson said. “These fee adjustments are necessary to help us keep up with those costs, and to make the Sheriff’s Office self-sustaining. It should not be up to the taxpayers of Sussex County to foot that bill.”

For a copy of the ordinance establishing the new fees, visit sussexcountyde.gov, or contact the Sheriff’s Office at (302) 855-7830.