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County plans expanded roadside litter program: education, enforcement and inmate crews to begin in October
Summary
Wicomico County Public Works and recycling staff outlined a three‑part roadside litter plan that moves program management to the Roads Division, adds court‑assigned community service and a supervised inmate crew, and estimates an annual incremental cost of about $50,000.
Wicomico County staff on May 20 presented a multi‑pronged effort to reduce roadside litter, moving day‑to‑day program management from the landfill to the Roads Division and adding community service placements and a supervised inmate cleanup crew.
Program design: Deputy Public Works Director Michael Swaby and Recycling Coordinator Jennifer Albero described a three‑part approach: education and community engagement; enforcement coordination with the State’s Attorney and the Sheriff’s Office; and expanded collection capacity using supervised inmate crews.
Key features and costs: The county proposes to deploy a supervised crew of six inmates two days per week under Enterprise Correctional Institution (ECI) supervision. Staff estimated the additional supervision and transport cost at roughly $50,000 per year (the budget for FY26 would be a partial year amount of about $33,000). The plan relies on a memorandum of understanding with corrections, transfer of some equipment from the landfill to the roads division, and the reassignment of two existing staff positions from landfill operations to roads to coordinate cleanups and volunteer events.
Enforcement and partnerships: Staff will coordinate with the State’s Attorney’s Office and district court to assign community‑service hours for litter offenses and work with code enforcement in cases where properties regularly generate refuse. Jennifer Albero reported a recent court action in which a repeat trespasser at an outlying convenience center was limited to use of a single facility.
Schedule: County staff proposed an October 1 launch date for the expanded program to allow the landfill to reassign duties and to acquire operational supplies and agreements. Staff also said they will pilot trail cameras at recurring dump hot spots, expand community cleanups with nonprofit and school groups, and work with area organizations to promote stewardship.
Ending: Council members supported the shift to Roads Division management and requested a quarterly briefing that would include sheriff’s office participation. Staff asked council to consider funding the ECI crew in the FY26 budget cycle and to authorize purchase or transfer of small hydraulic dump trailers and other equipment described in the presentation.
