Summary
Highlights
The Wicomico County Council's legislative session for December 16th, 2025 begins with the Lord's Prayer and Pledge of Allegiance. The consent agenda is then approved unanimously.
A public hearing is held for Legislative Bill 2025-13, an act to amend Chapter 90 of the Wicomico County Code to add a Habitat for Humanity Tax Credit. The bill is authorized by Maryland tax property article to allow the county to set the amount, term, scope, and duration of the credit. A discussion clarifies that the credit includes a deferral. After no public comments, the bill passes unanimously.
A public hearing is opened for Legislative Bill 2025-14, which proposes amendments to Chapter 13 of the Wicomico County Code regarding the County Internal Auditor's powers, duties, and the conduct of audits. With no public comments, the bill passes unanimously.
Resolution 236-2025 is presented for a public hearing to approve the relocation of a 0.11-acre forest conservation easement on property owned by Tilman Markets LLC in Hebron, Maryland. The request is for a 1:1 ratio relocation. After no public comments, the resolution passes unanimously.
A public hearing is held for Resolution 237-2025, authorizing the County Executive to execute a multi-year corporate hangar lease with Purdue Farms, Inc. at the Salisbury-Ocean City Wicomico Regional Airport for a 10-year term with renewal options. Monthly rent is $3,200, adjusted annually. Discussion clarifies the hangar will be a standalone facility. The resolution passes unanimously.
A public hearing is held to declare the Hurdle Building at 108 East Main Street in Salisbury surplus. The county purchased the Verizon building to relocate the Health Department, which is currently in the Hurdle Building. A citizen, Joe White, expresses concern that declaring the building surplus is premature until a clear plan for the Fritz building renovation and a new Health Department location is established. No further action is taken at this session; a resolution for approval is expected at the next legislative session.
Resolution 238-2025 is presented for a public hearing to amend the fiscal year 2026 capital budget to accept $49,572.22 in contingency funds for the Parsonsburg Riley Library renovation project, which will be used for change orders. The library director confirms these funds were already allocated by the library board of trustees. Delays in the library's opening due to parking lot redesign issues are discussed. The resolution passes unanimously.
The Capital Improvement Plan for fiscal years 2027-2031 is submitted by County Executive Julie Gerardano and Finance Director Pam Oland. The CIP is a five-year planning document that has been approved by the Planning and Zoning Commission. Key focuses for FY2027 include potential bonding of $11-11.8 million and $12.4 million in new PIGO funding. Discussions also cover forward funding of $15.2 million for Fruitland Primary, aimed at being repaid by FY229, and strategies for reallocating existing bond and PIGO funds. Council members inquire about reserves, the philosophy behind the CIP's construction, particularly concerning the Board of Education's budget, and the lack of specific capital expenditures for the EMS system. A line item placeholder for EMS in the CIP is suggested.
The County Executive recommends the appointment of Andrew C. Douly Jr. to the Lower Shore Workforce Alliance, which provides policy planning and oversight for local workforce development. Resolution 239-2025 confirming his appointment passes unanimously. Subsequently, Laura Gerotano is recommended as a member of the Board of Library Trustees, and Resolution 240-2025 confirming her appointment also passes unanimously.
Resolution 241-2025, approving 2026 outdoor motor vehicle events at county-owned facilities, passes unanimously. Resolution 242-2025, approving and publishing official holidays for county employees for 2026, also passes unanimously.
Internal Auditor Anelish Ster presents Resolution 243-2025, approving the cash controls audit of the Wicomico County Youth and Civic Center. The audit found overall effectiveness in managing risks related to cash and safeguarding, with some minor findings discussed with management. The resolution passes unanimously.
Public comments begin with Jim Atkins expressing concern over the EMS SWAT analysis, particularly the proposed use of the old sheriff's department as a base for chase units, arguing it wouldn't serve outlying areas effectively and goes against the Chief's Association's preference for local control and funding. Joe White echoes these concerns, highlighting the slow implementation of SWAT analysis recommendations and the lack of budget numbers for EMS infrastructure. MueL Dalene speaks on behalf of the 'Save Connley Mill Park' movement, reiterating public opposition to using the park for dredge spoil disposal, emphasizing the breach of public trust and original donation intent. Mike Goldberg questions the separation of Cell 7 landfill construction contracts and delays, and criticizes the consideration of Connley Mill for dredge spoil due to environmental and cost concerns. James Dalene reinforces the original resolution for Connley Mill's use for recreational purposes and mining soil for landfill cover, not dredge spoils. Lana Foley expresses environmental concerns about dredge spoils impacting the Paleo channel's water supply. Mary Huner highlights the difficulty for birdwatchers to access Connley Mill as a county park. Monica Brooks advocates for increased accountability for landlords and suggests county-level investment and collaboration to support the Salisbury Police Department, noting their high call volume and funding disparities compared to the Sheriff's Department.
Council members wish happy holidays and discuss various events. Councilman Andis expresses concerns about the state of Maryland's finances, noting a significant deficit and the state's pledge not to shift costs to counties, a promise he hopes will be kept. Councilman Hastings emphasizes fiscal responsibility in light of state financial challenges, particularly concerning state grants and the impact on projects like the Fruitland Primary School. Councilman Merritt adds that the state's structural deficit is growing, partly due to federal government instability, and warns that this could lead to the state passing down more financial burdens to counties. President Cannon discusses differing opinions on the cause of Maryland's financial woes, highlights community contributions from businesses like Purdue, reviews the ongoing discussion on EMS solutions in Wicomico County as a long-term CIP item, and expresses interest in the Connley Mill dredge spoil work session, emphasizing the park's potential for recreational use and the importance of environmental considerations.
The open work session reconvenes with a presentation by Tyler Technologies on nuisance software given by Tracy Taylor, Director of Planning, Zoning, and Community Development. Taylor explains the need for a centralized system to manage numerous, often frustrating, nuisance complaints from various sources and streamlines the process for two code enforcement officers covering the entire county. Jennifer Yamalakis from Tyler Technologies demonstrates the web portal and mobile app, showcasing how citizens can submit issues and track their status with transparency. The system integrates with existing Munis and GIS systems, allowing officers to manage cases, conduct inspections, and issue citations in the field, reducing administrative work and multiple site visits. The software is customizable and can be expanded to other county departments like Parks & Recreation or Public Works for managing various complaints. The cost breakdown includes an initial setup fee of $40,500 and an annual subscription fee of $35,596.
Adam Corey, Acting Director of Public Works, provides an update on Wicomico River dredging and Cell 7 construction, joined by Heather Langford (Manager Engineer), Chris McCabe (Coastal Compliance Solutions), and Chuck Hegberg (Resource Environmental Solutions). The presentation serves as a refresher on previous briefings, detailing the Army Corps of Engineers' involvement, the use of Sharp's Point for dredge material placement, and the initial phase of hauling 100,000 cubic yards from Cell 4. The county has faced delays in dredging despite their efforts to clear space, leading to a critical situation for maintaining the navigable channel. Various federal and state partners (DNR, US Fish and Wildlife, Nature Conservancy) join virtually, emphasizing the need for long-term, proactive, and beneficial reuse strategies for dredge material to avoid simply filling upland facilities. The discussion highlights the environmental and financial challenges of current practices and the potential for innovative solutions like marsh restoration and pit-to-marsh conversion, often combined with forest management and carbon credits. The council stresses the importance of effective management, pointing to the need for foresight and greater understanding of historical decisions regarding dredge management. Connley Mill is removed from consideration as a dredge disposal site due to public opposition.
Samantha Wilman, GIS Specialist, presents an interactive GIS dashboard designed to identify potential dredge spoil sites within a five-mile buffer of the Wicomico River. The dashboard maps county-owned properties, existing dredge sites, open spaces, and restricted areas (wetlands, protected lands). It includes filtering tools to identify parcels based on acreage of open space and allows measurement of distances between sites. The Nature Conservancy's marsh benefit data is integrated to highlight suitable areas for marsh restoration. The dashboard aims to provide a tool for long-term planning and identifying beneficial reuse opportunities, such as existing pits or quarries, while avoiding properties with environmental restrictions. The team discusses the potential for pit-to-marsh conversion in areas like Newland Park landfill, leveraging its size and the need for reclamation, and the financial and environmental benefits of combining dredge material with forest management and carbon sequestration initiatives. The discussion stresses the non-toxic nature of Wicomico River dredge material compared to larger ports and the importance of protecting the Paleo Channel. The council expresses strong opposition to the use of Connley Mill Park for dredge spoils based on community feedback.
Adam Corey and Darl Kar (EA Engineering Science and Technology) provide an update on Cell 7 construction and landfill operations. Cell 7, the final cell before horizontal expansion, is located at the corner of Nailor Mill and Brick Kiln Road. The design for Cell 7 was submitted to MDE in October 2025, with comments received in December. The storm water management portion of the project is already out for bid, and the main Cell 7 construction bid is expected to be posted next week. The county has implemented strategies to manage airspace, including an aerial survey in March that identified alarm bells about space, leading to new operational practices. These include rerouting roads for better fill access and increased compaction efforts. A video showcases the current state of Cell 4 and the rear haul road. The prohibition of out-of-county waste, implemented in August, has resulted in a decrease in tonnage and improved compaction, extending the landfill's lifespan despite a decrease in revenue. The discussion highlights challenges with mattress disposal due to their inability to compact effectively, and the long-term vision for horizontal expansion and the engagement of a forester to manage timber resources on future expansion sites. The goal is to ensure the landfill remains open and sustainable for the county.