reglab/housing_qa huggingface dataset:
9 DE Code § 348. (2021)
2021 Delaware Code|Title 9 - Counties|Chapter 3. County Governments Generally|Subchapter II. County Governments|§ 348. Annual audit; qualifications and selection of auditors.

§ 348. Annual audit; qualifications and selection of auditors. (a) The county government shall procure the services of 1 or more certified public accountants to audit the accounts of the county at the end of its fiscal year. (b) Every certified public accountant employed under subsection (a) of this section shall be certified under the laws of Delaware or under the laws of some state having substantially the same qualifications for the certification of public accountants as are required by the laws of Delaware. The county government shall contract with a certified public accountant or certified public accountants, after first giving notice by newspaper advertisement or otherwise of the contemplated employment, and shall thereafter select the lowest responsible bidder for the purpose of carrying out the requirements of this section. The county government may appropriate reasonable sums from the general funds of the county for the payments to the certified public accountants for auditing the county books. 38 Del. Laws, c. 71, §§  1-3;  Code 1935, §§  1254-1256;  9 Del. C. 1953, §  344;  50 Del. Laws, c. 343, §  1;
9 DE Code § 349. (2021)
2021 Delaware Code|Title 9 - Counties|Chapter 3. County Governments Generally|Subchapter II. County Governments|§ 349. Public advertising and notices.

§ 349. Public advertising and notices. Notwithstanding any provision to the contrary, public advertising and notices by any county in the State of any nature may include use of the State's electronic procurement advertising system required by § 6902(10) of Title 29 or other website allowing for the electronic posting of local government bid opportunities, and the website designed pursuant to §§ 10004(e)(5), 10115(b) and 10124(1) of Title 29. 78 Del. Laws, c. 288, §  9;  82 Del. Laws, c. 36, § 1;  83 Del. Laws, c. 65, § 2;
9 DE Code § 501. (2021)
2021 Delaware Code|Title 9 - Counties|Chapter 5. Suburban Community Improvements|Subchapter I. Sidewalks, Streets, Signs, Drainage, Storm Sewers|§ 501. Definitions.

§ 501. Definitions. As used in this subchapter:  (1) “Clerk of the peace” means the clerk of the peace of the county in which the suburban community is situated. (2) All references to the “county engineer” shall be construed to mean the General Manager of the Department of Special Services insofar as New Castle County is concerned. (3) a. “County government” means the county governing body of each county. b. Whenever the words “county government” are used in this chapter, the words “County Council” shall be substituted regarding New Castle County. (4) All references to “receiver of taxes” and “county treasurer” and “board of assessment” shall be construed to mean the “department of finance” insofar as Sussex County is concerned and “Office of Finance” insofar as New Castle County is concerned. (5) a. “Suburban community” means any unincorporated community within this State:  1. Containing at least 5 separate and distinct property owners; provided, that each parcel of land, condominium or other individually owned unit of a multiunit building shall be deemed to have no more than 1 owner for the purposes of this subchapter; 2. In the case of individually owned parcels of land whose streets aggregate a minimum of 500 linear feet of road surface or in the case of condominium or other type of individually owned units of multiunit buildings whose streets aggregate a minimum of 300 feet of road surfacing; and 3. Which, in the opinion of the county government and the State Department of Transportation, is so situated as to form a unit which is reasonably and economically capable of being improved by the laying, repairing or completion of streets, signs, sidewalks and installation of surface drainage and storm sewers. b. In addition to the foregoing such unincorporated community within this State must:  1. Be located on a highway which is part of the state highway system or will be connected to the state highway system when the projects provided for in this subchapter are complete and which street shall be either maintained by the State upon completion pursuant to the requirements of Title 17 and the rules, regulations or standards adopted pursuant thereto; or 2. Shall be built pursuant to county rules and regulations requiring design and building standards and a means or mechanism to provide for the perpetual maintenance of such suburban community streets as provided herein.45 Del. Laws, c. 123, §  2;  46 Del. Laws, c. 292, §  1;  9 Del. C. 1953, §  501;  55 Del. Laws, c. 85, §§  4A, 4B;  57 Del. Laws, c. 762, §  3B;  59 Del. Laws, c. 180, §  2;  60 Del. Laws, c. 133, §  1;  64 Del. Laws, c. 357, §  1;  71 Del. Laws, c. 401, §§  9-11;
9 DE Code § 502. (2021)
2021 Delaware Code|Title 9 - Counties|Chapter 5. Suburban Community Improvements|Subchapter I. Sidewalks, Streets, Signs, Drainage, Storm Sewers|§ 502. Bonds; power of county government to issue; terms of; faith and credit of county pledged to payment of bonds.

§ 502. Bonds; power of county government to issue; terms of; faith and credit of county pledged to payment of bonds. (a) In order to carry out this subchapter, the government of any county of this State may issue bonds in an amount or amounts, and under such terms and conditions, not inconsistent with this subchapter as may be determined by such body. (b) The bonds shall mature not later than 20 years after the date of issue, shall bear interest at the most advantageous rate attainable by the county government and the income therefrom shall not be subject to state taxation. The bonds shall be issued in the form prescribed by the county government and shall be either registered bonds or bearer with coupons convertible into fully registered bonds, as may be determined by the county government. Debt incurred by the county government pursuant to this subchapter may be represented by uncertificated obligations of the county government which may be authorized in accordance with the same procedures applicable to bonds which are permitted to be issued under this subchapter, and the county government may determine all procedures appropriate to the establishment of a system of issuing uncertificated debt. The bonds may, at the discretion of the county government, be made redeemable at par plus accrued interest on any interest payment date upon terms and conditions to be stated in the bonds. (c) The full faith and credit of the county is pledged to insure the payment of any bond issue, and all interest thereon, created and sold under this subchapter. (d) The county government may raise by the levy of taxes upon all the property taxable by the county such moneys, in addition to available moneys held in the sinking fund provided for in § 532 of this title, as are needed to pay the bonds and the interest thereon as the same become due and payable. 45 Del. Laws, c. 123, §§  1, 31;  9 Del. C. 1953, §  502;  49 Del. Laws, c. 356, §  1;  55 Del. Laws, c. 85, §  4A;  58 Del. Laws, c. 45;  63 Del. Laws, c. 142, §  7;  64 Del. Laws, c. 318, §  1;
9 DE Code § 503. (2021)
2021 Delaware Code|Title 9 - Counties|Chapter 5. Suburban Community Improvements|Subchapter I. Sidewalks, Streets, Signs, Drainage, Storm Sewers|§ 503. Petition to county government for improvements; who may petition; contents.

§ 503. Petition to county government for improvements; who may petition; contents. (a) The freeholders of a suburban community owning 50 percent or more of the front footage of property abutting the contemplated improvement or improvements in the suburban community may, at any time, present a petition to the county government that shall:  (1) State that, in the opinion of the signers of the petition, the community would be improved by the laying, repairing or completion of sidewalks or streets, installation of street signs, installation of surface drainage and storm sewers, or any 1 of such improvements; and (2) Request that the county government proceed in accordance with the provisions of this subchapter to issue bonds to provide the money for the improvements. (b) Each petition, when presented, shall have attached to it as a part thereof a drawing, which shall be obtained from the Department of Transportation, showing the street layout and the extent of the improvements. 45 Del. Laws, c. 123, §  3;  46 Del. Laws, c. 292, §  2;  48 Del. Laws, c. 90, §  1;  9 Del. C. 1953, §  503;  55 Del. Laws, c. 85, §  4A;  59 Del. Laws, c. 180, §  3;  60 Del. Laws, c. 503, §  22;
9 DE Code § 504. (2021)
2021 Delaware Code|Title 9 - Counties|Chapter 5. Suburban Community Improvements|Subchapter I. Sidewalks, Streets, Signs, Drainage, Storm Sewers|§ 504. Survey and plot of community by State Department of Transportation.

§ 504. Survey and plot of community by State Department of Transportation. Promptly upon the filing of a petition as prescribed in § 503 of this title, the county government shall adopt a resolution requesting the State Department of Transportation to survey and make a plot of the community, which shall show:  (1) The boundaries of the community; (2) The streets as then existing; (3) The names, location and post-office addresses of all freeholders in the community, as they appear on the records of the board of assessment of the county in which the suburban community is located; and (4) The street frontage in feet owned by each freeholder and, in the case of corner properties the street frontage and street sideage in feet owned by each freeholder.45 Del. Laws, c. 123, §  5;  47 Del. Laws, c. 331, §  1;  9 Del. C. 1953, §  504;  55 Del. Laws, c. 85, §  4A;  60 Del. Laws, c. 503, §  22;
9 DE Code § 505. (2021)
2021 Delaware Code|Title 9 - Counties|Chapter 5. Suburban Community Improvements|Subchapter I. Sidewalks, Streets, Signs, Drainage, Storm Sewers|§ 505. Determination by county government after receipt of survey and plot.

§ 505. Determination by county government after receipt of survey and plot. Within 15 days after receipt by the county government of the survey and plot required by § 504 of this title, the county government shall meet and determine whether the community is a suburban community within the meaning of § 501 of this title. 45 Del. Laws, c. 123, §  4;  46 Del. Laws, c. 292, §  3;  9 Del. C. 1953, §  505;  55 Del. Laws, c. 85, §  4A;
9 DE Code § 506. (2021)
2021 Delaware Code|Title 9 - Counties|Chapter 5. Suburban Community Improvements|Subchapter I. Sidewalks, Streets, Signs, Drainage, Storm Sewers|§ 506. Division of Highways data.

§ 506. Division of Highways data. (a) Immediately after the determination by the county government and the Division of Highways of the State Department of Transportation (Division) that the community in question meets the requirements of a suburban community specified in § 501(5) of this title, the Division, if such streets are to be maintained by the State, or the county, if such streets are not to be maintained by the State, shall advise the owners of such community of the requirements of that respective governmental agency. The owners shall be required to prepare and submit such surveys, plans, specifications and estimates of the cost of the improvement or improvements planned for such community. (b) The Division or county may within its discretion prepare such surveys, plans, specifications and estimates as may be required on the owners behalf and may charge such owners reasonable costs for services provided. In no case shall the Division or the county provide or extend other than minimal costs or services to the owners of such community. (c) In the preparation and submittal of surveys, plans, specifications and estimates of the cost of such improvements, the Division or county shall confer with the regional planning commission or department of planning of the county in which the suburban community is situated, if the county has a regional planning commission or department of planning. In no event shall the width of the right-of-way in such community be less than 10 feet. 45 Del. Laws, c. 123, §  6;  9 Del. C. 1953, §  506;  53 Del. Laws, c. 255;  55 Del. Laws, c. 85, §  4A;  59 Del. Laws, c. 215, §  1;  60 Del. Laws, c. 503, §  22;  64 Del. Laws, c. 357, §  4;
9 DE Code § 507. (2021)
2021 Delaware Code|Title 9 - Counties|Chapter 5. Suburban Community Improvements|Subchapter I. Sidewalks, Streets, Signs, Drainage, Storm Sewers|§ 507. Election to authorize bond issue; fixing time for holding.

§ 507. Election to authorize bond issue; fixing time for holding. (a) Upon the submission by the Director of the Division of Highways of the Department of Transportation to the county government of complete plans, specifications and estimates covering the improvements, the county government shall fix a date for an election, at which all citizens and real property owners of the community may vote, on the question whether the county government should proceed to issue bonds in the manner hereinafter provided, in an amount sufficient to finance the cost of the improvements contemplated and shall include costs estimated by the Division of Highways for preliminary engineering, which shall not be reimbursable in excess of 10 percent of the estimated project cost, and for construction inspection at the rate of 10 percent of the amount of the contract bid. (b) The election shall be held not less than 20 days nor more than 60 days after the submission of the plans, specifications and estimates to the county government. 45 Del. Laws, c. 123, §  7;  47 Del. Laws, c. 331, §  2;  9 Del. C. 1953, §  507;  53 Del. Laws, c. 255;  55 Del. Laws, c. 85, §  4A;  58 Del. Laws, c. 44, §§  1, 2;  60 Del. Laws, c. 503, §  22;  60 Del. Laws, c. 609, §  1;  76 Del. Laws, c. 355, §  1;
9 DE Code § 508. (2021)
2021 Delaware Code|Title 9 - Counties|Chapter 5. Suburban Community Improvements|Subchapter I. Sidewalks, Streets, Signs, Drainage, Storm Sewers|§ 508. Contents of notice of election.

§ 508. Contents of notice of election. Thereafter, the election shall be held at such time as may be fixed by the county government and shall be previously advertised by posting a notice, in 4 of the most public places within the community, at least 30 days prior thereto and by publishing a notice in a newspaper published within the county of such community and having a general circulation therein, once in each of 4 weeks preceding the week in which the election is held. Such notice shall state the time and place of the election, and further state that the purpose of the election is to determine whether a majority of the residents of the community and the real property owners are in favor of the issuance of bonds by the county government to cover the cost of the improvement or improvements contemplated. The notice shall also state the total amount of the proposed bond issue and a clear and concise description of each of the improvements contemplated together with the estimated cost of each improvement and the total cost of all improvements and shall include the costs of preliminary engineering and construction inspection as set forth elsewhere in this subchapter. 45 Del. Laws, c. 123, §  8;  47 Del. Laws, c. 331, §  3;  9 Del. C. 1953, §  508;  55 Del. Laws, c. 85, §  4A;  58 Del. Laws, c. 44, §  3;  60 Del. Laws, c. 609, §  2;
9 DE Code § 509. (2021)
2021 Delaware Code|Title 9 - Counties|Chapter 5. Suburban Community Improvements|Subchapter I. Sidewalks, Streets, Signs, Drainage, Storm Sewers|§ 509. Place, time and manner of voting; judge of election.

§ 509. Place, time and manner of voting; judge of election. The election shall be held in the offices of the county governing body in the county in which the suburban community is situated, and the polls shall be open from 9: 00 a.m. to 6: 00 p.m. of the day of the election. The voting shall be by printed ballot, which shall give the voter an opportunity clearly to indicate the voter's consent or objection to the issuance of bonds for the improvements contemplated. Absentee ballots may be permitted and managed in such a manner as prescribed by the county government. The clerk of the peace shall act as judge of the election. 45 Del. Laws, c. 123, §  9;  9 Del. C. 1953, §  509;  55 Del. Laws, c. 85, §  4A;  70 Del. Laws, c. 186, §  1;  76 Del. Laws, c. 355, §  2;
9 DE Code § 510. (2021)
2021 Delaware Code|Title 9 - Counties|Chapter 5. Suburban Community Improvements|Subchapter I. Sidewalks, Streets, Signs, Drainage, Storm Sewers|§ 510. Persons entitled to vote.

§ 510. Persons entitled to vote. (a) Every citizen who resides in the community in which the election is being held and who would be entitled at the time of the holding of such election to register and vote in any election district of which the community is a part at a general election if such general election were held on the day of such election in the community, and every owner of real property in the community, may vote at such election, whether or not that owner is at the time a registered voter. (b) Any real property owner who has sold his or her property or properties in the community subsequent to the preparation of the survey and plot made by the Department of Transportation shall not be permitted to vote but the then-owner of the property or properties shall be entitled to vote in the former property owner's place and stead upon furnishing the judge of election with the original or a certified copy of the deed to the property or properties, which deed shall clearly evidence that it was duly recorded. (c) Any person claiming the right to vote at the election as an heir of any real property owner in the community who has died, or as trustee or guardian under the terms of the last will and testament of any such real property owner shall furnish the judge of election with the original or a certified copy of the will or other document evidencing that person's ownership of, or interest in, the property of any such real property owner, and shall thereupon be entitled to vote in the place and stead of such deceased real property owner. (d) Wherever the property of such deceased real property owner in the suburban community is left to joint tenants or tenants in common, the following rules shall prevail:  (1) The vote of any 1 joint tenant or tenant in common shall be received where no other such tenant appears claiming the right to vote; (2) Where 1 joint tenant or tenant in common votes in opposition to another, the vote shall be cancelled; (3) A majority of the votes of any such joint tenants or tenants in common shall determine the manner in which the vote shall be cast; (4) The vote of any life tenant shall be accepted over the person having a reversionary interest in the property in the suburban community.45 Del. Laws, c. 123, §  9;  9 Del. C. 1953, §  510;  58 Del. Laws, c. 44, §§  4-7;  60 Del. Laws, c. 503, §  22;  70 Del. Laws, c. 186, §  1;
9 DE Code § 511. (2021)
2021 Delaware Code|Title 9 - Counties|Chapter 5. Suburban Community Improvements|Subchapter I. Sidewalks, Streets, Signs, Drainage, Storm Sewers|§ 511. Certification of result of election; retention of ballots.

§ 511. Certification of result of election; retention of ballots. Promptly after the holding of the election, the judge of election shall tabulate the ballots and certify the results to the county government under the judge's hand and seal. The ballots shall be retained in the safekeeping of the county government for 1 year before being destroyed. 45 Del. Laws, c. 123, §  10;  9 Del. C. 1953, §  511;  55 Del. Laws, c. 85, §  4A;  70 Del. Laws, c. 186, §  1;
9 DE Code § 512. (2021)
2021 Delaware Code|Title 9 - Counties|Chapter 5. Suburban Community Improvements|Subchapter I. Sidewalks, Streets, Signs, Drainage, Storm Sewers|§ 512. Notification to Director if bond issue authorized.

§ 512. Notification to Director if bond issue authorized. If the certificate of the judge of election reveals that a majority of the votes cast at the election is in favor of the issuance of bonds by the county government to cover the cost of the improvement or improvements contemplated, the county government shall promptly notify, in writing, the Director of the Division of Highways of the Department of Transportation. 45 Del. Laws, c. 123, §  11;  9 Del. C. 1953, §  512;  53 Del. Laws, c. 255;  55 Del. Laws, c. 85, §  4A;  60 Del. Laws, c. 503, §  22;
9 DE Code § 513. (2021)
2021 Delaware Code|Title 9 - Counties|Chapter 5. Suburban Community Improvements|Subchapter I. Sidewalks, Streets, Signs, Drainage, Storm Sewers|§ 513. Bonds; issuance by county government; resolution authorizing issuance and fixing terms of; use of general and other funds to finance construction.

§ 513. Bonds; issuance by county government; resolution authorizing issuance and fixing terms of; use of general and other funds to finance construction. (a) If the vote of the community is in the affirmative, the county government shall promptly meet and by resolution authorize the issuance of bonds, except as hereinafter specifically provided, to defray the expenses of the improvement or improvements favored by the freeholders of the community. The resolution shall not be adopted until after contract bids have been received and thereby the contract cost definitely determined. The amount of the bond issue shall be determined by taking the cost of the preliminary engineering and construction inspection costs up to 10 percent of the contract bid and adding the total to the actual contract bid. The resolution shall state the purpose of the bond issue, the date of maturity, or that the bonds shall mature serially or be retired by lot, as the case may be, and all other terms and conditions under which the bonds are to be issued. (b) The county government, before deciding upon the terms and conditions of the bond issue, shall seek the advice of at least 2 substantial bankers or brokers in Delaware who are accustomed to dealing in municipal, county or state bond issues. (c) If the contract bid or bids, hereinabove provided, after making provision for 10 percent over and above contract bid or bids, is or are less than $20,000, the county government may use moneys in its own general fund to defray costs of construction. Notwithstanding the provisions of § 532 of this title, the county government may also use excess moneys from previous bond issues to finance contract costs in whole or in part for projects in other suburban communities. 45 Del. Laws, c. 123, §  12;  46 Del. Laws, c. 292, §  4;  48 Del. Laws, c. 94, §  1;  9 Del. C. 1953, §  513;  55 Del. Laws, c. 85, §  4A;  60 Del. Laws, c. 609, §  3;
9 DE Code § 514. (2021)
2021 Delaware Code|Title 9 - Counties|Chapter 5. Suburban Community Improvements|Subchapter I. Sidewalks, Streets, Signs, Drainage, Storm Sewers|§ 514. Preparation, form and execution of bonds.

§ 514. Preparation, form and execution of bonds. The county government shall direct and effect the preparation and printing of the bonds authorized by this subchapter, shall determine whether such bonds shall be registered or bearer with coupons convertible into fully registered bonds and shall prescribe the form of the bonds and, in the case of bearer bonds with coupons, the form of the coupons for the payment of interest thereto attached. The bonds shall state the conditions under which they are issued. The face amount of the bonds and, in the case of bearer bonds with coupons, the coupons thereto attached shall be payable at such place or places as shall be designated by the county government. The bonds shall be signed in the manner prescribed by the county government. 45 Del. Laws, c. 123, §  13;  9 Del. c. 1953,, §  514;  55 Del. Laws, c. 85, §  4A;  63 Del. Laws, c. 142, §  8;  64 Del. Laws, c. 318, §  2;