Council approves multi-year contract for Salisbury septic elimination project, staff says state funding covers hookups

The Wicomico County Council voted unanimously July 1 to approve a multi-year contract with KCI Technologies to design and carry out outreach for the Salisbury Septic Elimination Project.

The motion, carried by unanimous roll call, authorizes the Department of Public Works to proceed with KCI for design and community outreach in neighborhoods identified for sewer connection: areas near North and South Delano Avenue, President’s Neighborhood and Regency. Adam Corey, executive director of environmental services, said the county’s State Revolving Fund (SRF) application ranked highly and staff received the state’s SRF documentation the day of the meeting.

What staff told the council: Corey said the county will forward-fund design costs — roughly $600,000 was referenced for design in discussion — then be reimbursed by a package of grant and low-interest loan funding from the state. He said the county would not place infrastructure in the ground without firm assurances from the state of funding. Corey said the Bay Restoration Fund and SRF funds were expected to cover costs the county sought, and that the county included connection and abandonment costs in the SRF application so homeowners would not face large upfront fees.

“Hookup fees are going to be covered under SRF funding,” Corey said. He also described the usual SRF financing mix: part grant, part low-interest loan, with percentages dependent on project ranking and criteria such as environmental-justice scores.

Homeowner impacts and technical details: County staff said the process includes abandoning septic tanks in place (contractor pump-out and filling) rather than excavating them. Corey said the contractor would “pump out the effluent… crush the top end… and just fill it in,” noting physical removal is often impractical.

Council members pressed staff on whether homeowners would face connection fees or additional bills. Corey said homeowners would pay a water and sewer bill to the City of Salisbury once connected; SRF funding was included to cover one-time hookup fees so residents would not incur a major upfront cost. Staff estimated the project covers on the order of about 200 equivalent dwelling units (EDUs), though that figure was described in discussion as approximate.

Public outreach: Corey said KCI’s contract includes community outreach and that staff will soon begin neighborhood meetings. Council members emphasized the need for robust outreach, including meeting in neighborhoods rather than requiring residents to travel to central locations, and asked staff to consider phased billing or subsidies for initial rates to ease the transition for households unaccustomed to regular utility bills.

Other administrative notes: Corey said the project does not require the sanitary district for this phase because the infrastructure will be City of Salisbury-owned and operated. The council asked staff to return in July with legislation to create a water and sewer committee or sanitary commission for broader policy work; staff said they expected to present draft legislation at the July meeting cycle for council review.

Vote: Resolution 95-2025 (approving contract with KCI Technologies) was approved unanimously.