The city of Newark is facing its biggest civil case since 2008.
Landlords are suing the town over the imposition of fees for rental permits saying they are so high that they constitute an illegal tax.
The Wilmington News Journal reports that Mayor Vance Funk said the plaintiffs want all fees for the last several years’ court costs and attorneys’ fees that could total more than $5 million.
In 1997 Newark doubled the annual rental-permit fee for single-family homes to $300 per unit.
The city also charges $70 per unit for apartments and other multi-family dwellings.
The nonjury trial is expected to last through Thursday and include Bruce Harvey of the Newark Landlords Association along with several current and former city officials.