County Executive proposes landfill closure to out of county trash without prior council notice

The Wicomico County Council held a legislative and open work session on July 1, 2025, where significant discussions centered around the county executive's proposal regarding the landfill operations. The meeting revealed a lack of prior communication between the executive branch and the council concerning the proposed closure of the landfill to out-of-county trash.

The council member expressed concerns that the proposal to prohibit out-of-county trash dumping was only disclosed during a press conference the day before the meeting. This revelation came as a surprise, as the council had not been informed of this intention prior to the press conference. Instead, discussions during the June 3 budget meeting had focused solely on raising commercial tipping fees, which were seen as a disincentive for out-of-county trash but did not address the closure of the landfill.

Further complicating matters, it was noted that a meeting with commercial haulers on June 10 had taken place, where a phased closure plan was presented. However, the council was reportedly not informed of this plan, which outlined a gradual closure of the landfill to commercial haulers on specific days, culminating in a complete closure by July 1, 2026. The council learned of this plan through the haulers themselves, rather than from the executive branch.

In response to these developments, the council attempted to reach out to the director of administration, Bunkie Luffman, for clarification on the executive's plan. The lack of communication and transparency regarding the landfill's future operations raised concerns among council members about the implications for waste management in the county.

The meeting underscored the need for improved communication between the executive branch and the council, particularly on issues that significantly impact county operations and residents. As discussions continue, the council will seek to address these concerns and ensure that all stakeholders are informed and involved in the decision-making process regarding the landfill.