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Wicomico corrections officials seek restored community‑corrections posts and flag salary‑scale placement issues
Summary
County corrections staff asked to reinstate two community corrections officer positions and presented capital needs including flooring, courtyard fencing and pump work; staff and council also discussed salary‑scale placements that have produced capped raises for some employees.
Wicomico County Corrections officials on May 1 asked the council to reinstate two community corrections officer positions that had been cut during the COVID period, and outlined capital and operating needs for the jail, including medical costs, food services and facility repairs.
Deputy Finance Director Charles Schmeickel said the corrections budget requests two community‑corrections positions be restored so correctional officers now handling community supervision can return to the jail. “Community corrections officers deal with nothing but pre‑trial individuals who are out in the community,” Schmeickel said.
Correctional staff said medical and hospital costs for inmates are a major and growing portion of operating expenses, and that medical services and outside hospital stays account for a sizable portion of the corrections budget. The department is also seeking one‑time capital funding (around $1.2 million of pay‑as‑you‑go in the proposed budget) for flooring upgrades, courtyard fencing, chilled‑water pump adjustments and other facility needs; staff noted a willingness to match state grants if awarded in later years.
A substantial portion of the corrections discussion focused on salary‑scale implementation and “maxed out” positions. Finance staff explained that some corrections and support positions are already at or above the maximum of the adopted pay scale (an orange highlighting in the budget exhibit), meaning those employees receive smaller percentage increases or none at all when the scale moves. Council members and staff discussed options including one‑time longevity or bonus payments that would not increase pensionable salary.
Officials said recruitment is progressing; staff reported about 28 vacancies on May 15 with ongoing interview days planned. The facility population was noted at about 260 inmates, well under the roughly 505‑bed capacity. Corrections staff also described on‑site mental‑health resources, telehealth capability and challenges related to orders for involuntary treatment that can leave individuals waiting for placement.
No vote was taken during the work session; council members asked staff to return with clarifications on scale impacts and on salary placement and to include corrections capital items in the final budget reconciliation.
