Minimum wage and tax increase in Wicomico County

SALISBURY, Md. – Wicomico County Executive Bob Culver said on Monday taxpayers will eventually have to foot the bill for the minimum wage increase mandated by the state.

Although the tax increases will not happen this year he said over the next few years residents can expect their taxes to go up.

Culver said the state mandated gradual raise to 15 dollars an hour is expected to cost the the county over 8 million dollars.

According to Culver, the money will go to paying employees along with benefits offered by the county government like retirement and insurance plans.

“We have been able to hold taxes at a steady rate for the last five years, and I would like to be able to continue to do that,” said Culver.

“Somewhere along the line there may have to be a penny or two penny raised tax to get back up to that point,” said Culver.

The county executive also said his hope was that the Eastern Shore was going to get special exemption that would cap the minimum wage raise to 12 dollars.