The Dover City Council is now considering including non-profits in charging for the benefits of fire and police protection.
The Wilmington News Journal reports that 45 percent of the properties within the city are non-profits or owned by the state.
The paper says that means 55 percent of the city tax base is providing money for fire and police protection.
Meanwhile, Dover City Manager Donna Mitchell says that budgetary shortfalls have led to delaying maintenance on police and fire buildings as well as city equipment needs.
After an initial unanimous vote as Committee of the Whole the council is expected to bring the issue back for more discussion in six weeks.
Before the vote representatives of some of the city’s non-profits told municipal leaders that while they understood the rationale for the public safety fee they believed it would hurt their efforts to assist the community.
