Wicomico County Council members approved a batch of resolutions on Oct. 21 covering airport leases, grants, board reappointments, a major equipment purchase for the sheriff’s office and the county’s new bond issue.

The council approved renewal and operating agreements that allow Breeze Aviation and American Airlines to lease counter and office space at the Salisbury‑Ocean City‑Wicomico Regional Airport, authorized a $300,000 application to the Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development for a Community Development Block Grant housing‑rehabilitation program, confirmed numerous board appointments and reappointments, and adopted the county’s bond award resolution after a competitive sale that produced a favorable interest rate for the county.

Why it matters: Together the actions keep airport service agreements in place, preserve federal/state grant access for low‑ and moderate‑income housing rehabilitation, keep county boards staffed and enable the county to finance capital projects at favorable rates. The planning MOU approved by council—as amended to add an indemnification clause—also temporarily allows the Wicomico County Planning Commission to hear certain city of Salisbury cases to avoid delaying development applications while the city forms its own commission.

Key outcomes and details

- Airport operating/space use agreements: The council approved an agreement with Breeze Aviation (resolution cited on the record as 171‑2025) for 3,347 square feet of terminal space with a five‑year term and CPI adjustments to rent; the council approved an agreement with American Airlines (recorded as 172‑2025 on the agenda) for 2,236 square feet at an annual base rent adjusted by CPI. Both resolutions passed during the meeting after public hearings and council discussion with airport staff.

- Housing rehabilitation grant: The council approved resolution 173‑2025 authorizing the county executive to apply for and accept a $300,000 housing rehabilitation grant through the Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development’s CDBG program. Planning staff said the grant would target low‑ and moderate‑income homeowners and the county has an active waiting list for services.

- Sheriff’s Office body‑worn cameras: Resolution 175‑2025, authorizing purchase of Axon (body‑worn camera) hardware, software and services for $1,718,101.61, passed unanimously. The sheriff’s office said the contract includes replacement hardware every 2½ years, pro licenses, language translation and AI‑assisted tools for evidence and report drafting.

- Bond award: Resolution 197‑2025 authorizing the county’s bond issuance passed unanimously. The county reported a successful competitive sale with an interest rate below recent estimates; after the issuance the county’s outstanding debt was reported at roughly $174 million (about 56% of the legal debt limit).

- Planning MOU with the city of Salisbury: Resolution 195‑2025 (as amended) authorizes a memorandum of understanding for a brief period under which the county planning commission will hear certain city cases so development proposals are not delayed while the city’s own planning commission is appointed. Council added an indemnification clause requiring the city to indemnify and hold the county harmless for litigation arising from the MOU; the amendment passed and the MOU as amended passed unanimously.

- Boards and commissions: The council confirmed a series of reappointments and appointments across multiple boards and commissions, including airport commission reappointments (Weston S. Young; R. Wayne Strasburg confirmed as chair in a 5‑to‑1 vote), adult public guardianship review board appointees, and several members of the Board of Electrical Examiners. The meeting record lists each confirmed name and resolution number for reference.

Votes at a glance (recorded on the Oct. 21 agenda and in the meeting)

- Resolution 172‑2025: Renewal of license agreement with Wicomico Equestrian Club for carriage house and equestrian center — approved.
- Resolution 171‑2025: Breeze Aviation operating/space use agreement (SBY airport) — approved unanimously.
- Resolution 172‑2025 (American Airlines entry on agenda): American Airlines operating/space use agreement — approved.
- Resolution 173‑2025: Authorize application/acceptance of $300,000 MD DHCD CDBG housing rehab grant — approved.
- Resolution 174‑2025: Approve Daniel Alcek / Saul Ewing LLP as special counsel for FY‑26 FOP collective bargaining — approved.
- Resolution 175‑2025: Authorize purchase of Axon body‑worn camera system, $1,718,101.61 — approved unanimously.
- Resolution 176‑2025 through 191‑2025: Multiple reappointments and confirmations to boards and commissions (social services advisory board, airport commission officers and members, adult public guardianship review board, Board of Electrical Examiners, etc.) — each approved as listed on the agenda; several passed unanimously; resolution 178‑2025 (R. Wayne Strasburg as chair of the airport commission) passed 5‑1.
- Resolution 192‑2025: Confirm appointment of Adam N. Corey as deputy director, Department of Public Works — approved unanimously.
- Resolution 193‑2025: Confirm appointment of Kaylee Justice as deputy director, Planning, Zoning & Community Development — approved unanimously.
- Resolution 194‑2025: Amend FY‑26 budget for Cohen Law Group cable franchise consulting services (county & city split), $60,000 — approved unanimously.
- Resolution 195‑2025 (as amended): Approve MOU with the city of Salisbury for county planning commission to hear limited city cases (with city indemnification clause) — amended and approved unanimously.
- Resolution 196‑2025: Receive internal auditor annual report — accepted.
- Resolution 197‑2025: Bond award resolution finalizing terms of the county’s borrowing — approved unanimously.

What council members said: Several council members asked for clarifying information about airport revenue guarantees and grant conditions, about the timing of the bond sale and debt‑limit calculations, and about safeguards in the planning MOU. County staff and outside presenters gave brief oral explanations at the meeting and answered council questions.

Next steps and follow ups: Several staff members said they will provide requested follow‑up information to council (dredging and landfill updates were requested by members of the public during the meeting; county staff said they would report back). The finance office and procurement staff will provide more detailed contract and payment breakdowns at council request.