[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6591762,"mediaKeyId","3023276-614fef5b10992ee58fb0d0e0e9022f96","parentId",3023276,"title","Wicomico delegation warns of state budget pressure, energy and solar siting issues after 2025 session","audioSeconds",1849,"startMs",5355000,"endMs",7204000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3023276-614fef5b10992ee58fb0d0e0e9022f96&start=5355&end=7204","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3023276-614fef5b10992ee58fb0d0e0e9022f96/thumbnail_5355000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6591762/Wicomico-County/Maryland/Wicomico-delegation-warns-of-state-budget-pressure-energy-and-solar-siting-issues-after-2025-session","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6591762-b3e715df58366721bc39479918c8d92b/orig.mp4?Expires=1771172970&Signature=mmmNcTkjuGVjBcTUQ47ixcPvpOmdd9HpnD7yvMeXhshyIs7Qe0NAFFpXaiYMnF02P8Ax9gRc1E1uY3KitjVgX3M6jCP7w0csCId3G6BozghqVo-NCcIffTAy8OKkR7-g-A4v2-hs2y4vyw0O8dHwCm-R2-gdLeSDDKywj2-ruXkcT5BUFWNZ~SyuoenMipwlOpSLwYT2HG6twBhziEU4rZVkDkvqI~3ridmIQ4utIaGdSJfaI8IruGg-Nt99xXbc-lvA-skGkve0OVRIrdvs8u7y~4Q914xdGfcf1Zyf4KgZ~jV4wF-FKevqMyI32GPwpAd5qV3MH5DVLtufJabk6Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Wicomico County, MD","date","2025-04-16T17:34:01.83Z","article","Members of the Wicomico County delegation delivered a post‑session recap to the County Council April 15, summarizing several legislative outcomes and flagging issues county officials should track through the interim.

Senator Marybeth Crozzo (transcript identified as speaking for the delegation) and multiple delegates said the dominant themes in Annapolis were the state budget, energy policy and education funding mandates. Crozzo described a $67 billion state budget and said attempts to pause or slow implementation of the state education ‘‘blueprint’’ were among the options discussed in the legislature; she said the delegation will continue work during the interim on budget and education issues.

Budget and mandates

Delegates told the council the budget includes sizable tax and fee increases and that counties may face ongoing fiscal pressures from state mandates. Delegate Tom Hutchinson said the county should expect the fiscal situation to worsen in coming years and advised caution in depending on state funds for local programs.

Energy, utilities and solar siting

Delegates and the senator emphasized energy as a major issue this year. Delegate Chris Adams and other members said limited in‑state generation and policy changes have increased energy costs. Adams said the legislature’s response — including a one‑time rebate for certain regulated utility customers — will not resolve longer‑term supply and rate pressures. He urged continued attention to the coming summer’s additional rate increases.

Solar siting and county authority also drew sustained attention. Delegates said recently passed legislation changes siting rules for large solar projects and reduces local discretion by expediting state certificate review processes; they urged counties to prepare for increased solar development pressure and to examine tax‑sharing or other mitigation strategies.

Other legislative items

Delegates noted several targeted wins or developments: funding for local projects including Fruitland Primary School construction, Salisbury Regional Airport and Warwick Community College; passage of a local bill to add a student member to the Wicomico Board of Education and to realign Board of Election districts to match county council districts; and continued work on a statewide prohibition against roadway solicitation following constitutional questions on an initial local approach.

Nut graf: Delegation members urged the county to use the interim to prepare for longer‑term fiscal pressure and to engage on energy, solar siting and education mandate issues before the 2026 session.

Council response and next steps

Council members thanked the delegation and pressed for follow‑up on several items, including details about state capital funding and possible revenue impacts from changes to accommodations tax collection. Delegates advised council staff to review Department of Legislative Services reports and to engage with state representatives during the interim.

Ending: Delegation members said they will continue interim outreach and meetings with county officials and stakeholders and encouraged the council to identify priorities and participate in interim discussions ahead of the 2026 legislative session.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Wicomico County Legislative and Open Work Sessions April 15 2025 part 1","oneSentenceSummary","Wicomico County’s state delegation briefed the council on the 2025 Maryland General Assembly session, highlighting a historic state budget with tax and fee increases, continuing education funding mandates, energy supply and rising utility costs, and new state rules affecting solar siting and local land‑use authority.","taxTitle","Wicomico County, Maryland","taxId",4258,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6591766,"Council accepts $123,360 CDBG amendment to support homeless and food-related services for Christian shelter",124,5123000,5247000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3023276-614fef5b10992ee58fb0d0e0e9022f96&start=5123&end=5247","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3023276-614fef5b10992ee58fb0d0e0e9022f96/thumbnail_5123000.jpg","/articles/6591766/Wicomico-County/Maryland/Council-accepts-123360-CDBG-amendment-to-support-homeless-and-food-related-services-for-Christian-shelter","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6591766-f4515ad798bd7c7871ef0411b20e8399/orig.mp4?Expires=1771172970&Signature=l6HCrZ2iQ5PtgdpiOikEDeiIBsEEOmhlh66vcJaB4q4ej9NYgbyQVXzFO9I-i3YAVZ8nmZ-sUkCoPe-iSToQpaJZUORt44cKTSvZBFwc0OL8PXaUJ0S9szblLRRHqMPxQZU1u1qzzfFwAa58ljeCBDS4USy5K893RZSg1ueLjG1kDYlpTQxxqgPiWQwUBCSf70EZ55kP~l8wJr29FrhSrXS63lmeZ0Fk~9T0mWB0tHZoWH7Ec4VXG1QGc0Zz-PRfxQWJjoMm7KkB8nOvfDOrmIeT5r1rmuuA--yZ22TG24xtDStTBh0cTfqGGI90uRsEJbmjJdX9ahZVj3MtqYs67w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Wicomico County Council approved Resolution 45-2025 April 15 to authorize the county executive to accept a $123,360 amendment from the Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development through the Community Development Block Grant program.

Planning staff said the funds — federal CDBG dollars administered by the state — will be used to support homeless and food‑service related projects in Wicomico County and specifically benefit the local Christian Shelter. Kaylee Justice, planning manager in the Department of Planning, Zoning and Community Development, was identified by staff as the county contact for questions on the award.

Nut graf: County staff opened a public hearing before the vote; public comment supported the grant but asked for clearer public accounting of how similar grants and P‑card purchases are tracked. ‘‘Anytime we have a chance to have funds come into the community to fight homelessness and food scarcity, that’s a good thing,’’ public commenter Joe White said, while also urging greater transparency on how some state or local funds are spent.

Council action

A motion to approve acceptance of the grant was made, seconded and carried with no recorded opposition. The resolution authorizes the county executive to accept the funds and to allocate them per the grant terms to local homeless and food‑service providers.

Ending: Staff said the planning department will oversee grant administration and reporting in coordination with the Christian Shelter and that the county will follow state CDBG reporting and audit requirements.","The County Council approved a $123,360 amendment to accept Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funding from the Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development to support homeless and food‑service related projects, specifically benefitting the local Christian Shelter.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6591770,"Wicomico County approves $2.3 million to remove dredge spoils at Sharps Point to keep federal channel open",3076,2039000,5115000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3023276-614fef5b10992ee58fb0d0e0e9022f96&start=2039&end=5115","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3023276-614fef5b10992ee58fb0d0e0e9022f96/thumbnail_2039000.jpg","/articles/6591770/Wicomico-County/Maryland/Wicomico-County-approves-23-million-to-remove-dredge-spoils-at-Sharps-Point-to-keep-federal-channel-open","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6591770-8bb7f7f0c267c29e8f192748fe5b8b4f/orig.mp4?Expires=1771172970&Signature=DXYiY3r7QLlyEqHMNm5nbh-vx47FG~SCm2DKzg~I~EPxRHuwxxODmFQcV9HPARTcNzN5rUN0frdoh3kwpOneTIfKNAUjL4uD822aXRdWJQnuMRBfrSjRQIxYORlMPclXWB~V5ciDhGB31ghCrfL0KP9HAlD1V~cYVSBoObHYz~e3KuYKpgDshchUDUh~8-r6rL4ZNRy4MVdBgbzoq9ElPc3WPs6p5XH~-aPKq-aLyH2TFv3s1-W2XzDJ-DuhdG2kBw9Fqbh0Jhh4hLw7sm5zaq6i8rjTh-Qp-gqh1Nu3oeGoSjzF9rTuirqQ0PePdnzyNdpESFXbYdEWUuALcn5aGA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Wicomico County Council members voted unanimously April 15 to approve Resolution 44-2025, amending the county’s 2025 capital budget to add $2,300,000 for the Sharps Point dredge spoils hauling and relocation project.

County officials said the funding will pay for a contractor to remove about 100,000 cubic yards of dredged material from the Sharps Point containment cells so federal dredging can continue on schedule. ‘‘We are required by the Army Corps of Engineers to get a hundred thousand cubic yards out of Sharps Point by October 1, 2025,’’ Adam Corey, executive director of environmental services, told the council during the public hearing.

County finance director Pam Olin said the $2.3 million reflects actual bids received for the first phase. ‘‘When the bid came in, we notified the county administrator and requested the amount be reduced down to the $2,300,000 off the current bid,’’ Olin said, adding the county still has roughly $1.2 million in previously budgeted dredging funds and is keeping that money to support concurrent planning for future phases. ‘‘Based on our financial analysis, this is affordable and this is the appropriate use of our savings account because it is a one-time capital project,’’ she said.

Nut graf: County staff and the Army Corps of Engineers told the council the Wicomico River’s federal channel is nearing a level where, if dredging is delayed, larger commercial vessels could be unable to reach the Port of Salisbury. Officials said that would risk regional commerce that relies on the port and cited local companies and industries that use the channel.

Why the work is urgent

Corey and public works staff described a backlog of material that resulted after the county was skipped in the Corps’ typical three‑year dredging rotation. Corey said a recent resurvey shows increased sediment that requires immediate removal to preserve navigability and remain in the Corps’ rotation. He said the full problem at Sharps Point involves an estimated 400,000 cubic yards now on site — a volume staff said would be impractical to remove within the Corps’ timeline without staged contracting and new stockpile capacity.

Scope, bids and phased approach

County staff said the April request covers a contractor bid for a phase 1 removal of roughly 100,000 cubic yards at $2.3 million. Staff earlier estimated a $7.5 million two‑phase program before bids were received; the lower figure reflects the single bid returned for phase 1 and a decision to proceed with the first phase only. Corey said only one bidder returned a proposal to the advertised request for bids and that bidder agreed to accept a phase‑1 award.

Reuse options and logistics

Staff outlined three county‑owned candidate stockpile sites for relocated material and said laboratory results submitted to the Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE) that morning indicate portions of the dredge spoil may qualify as beneficial reuse — for example, as landfill daily cover or construction fill, pending MDE review. Corey also said the county is in discussions about using material for other nearby projects, including possible airport runway work.

Public comment and council questions

Two public commenters urged careful review of the budget and questioned timing and cost. Joe White said the request felt last minute and warned about frequently asking the council for multi‑million dollar additions while other local services seek funding. Jim Atkins urged the council to examine past planning and why the county’s dredging program fell behind.

Council discussion centered on schedule, cost escalation and whether county resources could eventually reduce reliance on contractors. Staff said performing the entire 400,000 cubic yards in a short window would require roughly 70 truck trips per day and specialized equipment that the county does not currently possess, making a contractor‑led phase 1 the only practical immediate option.

Funding and next steps

Olin told members the county’s audited fund balance for June 30, 2024 was approximately $85 million and that using fund balance for a capital project of this scope is consistent with county practice. She said the budget presentation includes an estimated reconciliation of fund balance and that the administration plans to keep about $1.25 million in the dredging capital project account to fund internal preparatory work.

Council action and implementation timing

A motion to approve Resolution 44-2025 was made and seconded; the council president called for the vote and the motion carried unanimously. Pam Olin said a signed resolution would allow county finance to establish the purchase order and execute contracts; staff said they could begin erosion control and stockpile setup at the Allen site within roughly two weeks of contract award and receipt of the signed resolution.

Ending: County staff said the $2.3 million award covers only phase 1 and that additional funding will likely be required over the next several years as the county pursues a five‑ to ten‑year dredge‑spoil management plan, wetlands permitting and potential expansion of placement capacity.

","The Wicomico County Council unanimously approved Resolution 44-2025 to add $2.3 million to the 2025 capital budget to finance removal and relocation of 100,000 cubic yards of dredge spoils at Sharps Point, a step county staff said is required to keep the Port of Salisbury’s federal navigation channel on the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers rotation.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Wicomico delegation warns of state budget pressure, energy and solar siting issues after 2025 session

Council accepts $123,360 CDBG amendment to support homeless and food-related services for Christian shelter

Wicomico County approves $2.3 million to remove dredge spoils at Sharps Point to keep federal channel open