Commissioners approve water/waste overexpenditures and an intergovernmental loan amid debate over enterprise fund deficits and a failed audit motion

Worcester County commissioners approved a set of water and wastewater budget adjustments and capital funding requests on April 1, but a divided and at times heated debate over enterprise fund management and whether to commission an outside audit ended with commissioners rejecting an immediate audit request.

Public works staff asked commissioners to approve multiple overexpenditure requests across service areas, citing unanticipated costs and seasonal flow increases. The requests included additional funds for PFAS lab testing at Assateague Point and Landing service areas (about $2,000 each), a $200,000 increase for supplies, equipment and chemicals at the Mystic Harbor wastewater plant because of higher flows, $5,000 for PFAS testing at Mystic Harbor, $50,000 for maintenance at Mystic Harbor wastewater plant, and various repairs and paving for Ocean Pines including a $30,000 paving request and a $125,000 line-item for additional outside-contractor water repairs. Public works staff said much of the…