Wicomico County Executive files lawsuit against county council over charter dispute

WICOMICO COUNTY, Md.- Wicomico County Executive Julie Giordano held a press conference Wednesday following Tuesday night’s heated Wicomico County Council meeting.

Tuesday, the county council voted to defund the roles of Assistant Director of Administration and Deputy Director of Public Works. Those are two roles Giordano appointed that the council says goes against the charter.

In that press conference, Giordano explained she submitted individuals for those roles which starts a 45-day time clock the council has to place that appointment on their agenda for a vote, which she says did not happen.

Giordano says the county’s move of defunding those positions impact her office’s ability to do their job. “Here is the deal. If I don’t have what I need and I fail, who’s fault is that? They didn’t give me the tools I asked for. If I have the tools I need and I fail, that’s on me. So here we are in this combative thing,” Giordano said.

“The argument is that there are two people who are highly qualified. Right now, I have to have someone overseeing public works. I have to. There’s not really a choice.”

Now we weren’t able to sit down with a council member prior to airtime, Council President John Cannon did send us over a statement that reads in part quote.

 “The council has stated its position on numerous occasions, and we’re obligated by the citizens of Wicomico County to make sure we hire the most qualified individuals for any management positions. We’ve clearly followed that process. I understand the executive doesn’t agree, but we are now both obligated to move on in the best interest of the citizens and the employees of Wicomico County.”

The resolution that was passed defund those positions will not go into effect immediately. That bill will now go to the county executive’s desk, where she has the ability to either approve or veto it.