Wicomico County leaders ask for public input on budget hearing next week

March 6, 2023

Han Cechini,

WICOMICO COUNTY, Md. – In one week, Wicomico County leaders will host a public hearing on proposals for upcoming budgets.

Public Hearing

Specifically, County Executive Julie Giordano wants feedback on the proposed Fiscal Year 2024 (FY24) Operating Budget, Capital Improvement Budget, Governmental and Enterprise Funds Budgets, and how all expenses will be paid for in that time period.

“Many times, we’ve attended these meetings and it’s been a very low turnout. So, we’re really hoping that the public does come out. It’s a great opportunity for them to express what’s important to them,” said Giordano.

The young administration says community feedback is one of the most important parts of running a transparent local government.

“We don’t know what we don’t know. So, we definitely want the public’s input. It’s our first year doing budget and accounting, so it’s critically important to have public input,” said Director of Administration Bunky Luffman.

Potential Needs

While all topics are on the table, Giordano predicts neighborhood improvements could be a top request. Giordano says she recently toured District 1 with County Council Member Shanie Shields.

“She took us to various parks, another playground request there, as well. She also showed us some housing that probably needs to be taken down that is blighted,” said Giordano.

The county’s fire service agreement is something that Giordano says she hopes to hear about directly from first responders.

“That is something that we are looking at. We’ve already reached out to our fire departments for their input,” said Giordano. “Maybe our firemen will come out. I know they always have requests, as well, for our volunteer fire departments.”

Another thing residents have been waiting on since the 1970’s, is the county’s sewer and water plan. Constituents are still waiting for answers, says Giordano. “I’ve been contacted several times from constituents, especially in District 2 down near the Whitehaven area. They’ve had some really serious issues with flooding,” she said.

Luffman says work in Annapolis has allowed the County to get a clearer picture of how the process will play out, and how long it might take. And, he says, getting an acting Public Works Director in place is helping.

“That was really important. Also, our senate bill allows us to do a sanitary district to address this. It just passed the Senate 44-0. We testify on the House version of the bill this Wednesday,” said Luffman.

“The county is sitting very well”

The county’s Finance Department is currently crunching numbers to make projections for the proposed budgets, says Luffman. Part of that process includes calculating available income tax from residents. “This is literally their money that funds this government. So, they have a vested interest in how the money is spent,” said Luffman.

And even with a surplus of more than $4.8 million in the Fiscal Year 2023 budget, Giordano says conservative spending is still needed in FY24.

“I think the county is sitting very well [financially],” said Giordano. “We want to keep that surplus. I know a lot of people see that budget as money we can spend. But, it allows us to be able to borrow and have a lower interest rate to allow us to do the larger projects.”

The meeting is on March 13th at 6 pm in the Flanders Room at the Wicomico County Youth and Civic Center. It’s free and open to all.

“We are serving the community in these roles. I think it’s super important for us to hear from them, hear what their wants are, what their needs are,” said Giordano. “We want to make sure to give them the opportunity to be part of that government, and part of that decision making.”