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Council approves two planning-department pay reclassifications after heated debate over timing and equity
Summary
The Wicomico County Council approved two pay reclassifications in the Planning Department — including a GIS specialist reclassified to M36 and budgeted at $55,340 — after a public hearing and council debate about timing and pay equity.
The Wicomico County Council on March 4 approved two changes to the Department of Planning, Zoning and Community Development's position-control document after a contested public hearing and substantial council debate.
Resolution 33-2025 reclassifies position number 100119 (GIS specialist) from pay grade M35 to M36 and budgets the position at $55,340. Resolution 34-2025 increases the salary for position number 100132 (environmental planner); council packet materials list earlier and proposed salary figures. Both resolutions passed by 6–1 votes.
Why it mattered: Councilmembers and public commenters questioned why the adjustments were presented months after the FY2025 budget was adopted and close to the FY2026 budget cycle. James Atkins, a resident who spoke during public comment, said the timing was inappropriate and flagged the size of the increases: “That’s a 37% pay increase in less than 3 years,” he said, arguing raises should be addressed in the budget process. Several council members echoed concerns about timing and the appearance of last-minute adjustments.
What staff said: Tracy Taylor, the county’s new planning director, told the council she had been directed to evaluate the office after she took the job and that the reclassification process required an external consultant to rank the position. She said the employee holds a bachelor's and a master's degree and has been assigned a multi-year project — removing state-designated “comment areas” to restore eligibility for state funds — that has direct financial benefits for the county. Taylor said she submitted the request months earlier and only recently received the consultant’s ranking, which delayed bringing the item to the council.
Finance director Pamela Lynn explained that position-control adjustments are funded from existing salary savings in the department and that hiring timing and consultant review contributed to the delay. Council members discussed whether a July COLA or general pay-scale move might compress newly approved raises, and some asked whether any additional July increases would apply to these employees; finance staff said standard FY2026 wage-setting practices still apply and that there is no blanket prohibition on subsequent scheduled raises for employees.
Council action and votes: After public comment and staff responses, council members voted. Resolution 33-2025 (GIS specialist reclassify and pay increase to $55,340) passed 6–1. Resolution 34-2025 (environmental planner salary increase) passed 6–1. The meeting record shows a mix of support — several council members emphasized retention, market rates and the employees’ advanced qualifications — and concern about timing near budget season.
Ending: The personnel changes take effect administratively and will be reflected in the county payroll and position-control records. Council members who opposed the timing said they expected stronger policy guidance going into the FY2026 budget cycle to reduce ad hoc late-cycle salary requests.
