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Council reallocates $100,000 from Poplar Neck drainage to fuel system upgrade after public hearing
Summary
After a public hearing and staff explanation, the council unanimously approved Resolution 225-2025 to transfer $100,000 in capital funds from the Poplar Neck Drainage Project to an FY26 above-ground fuel tank system upgrade, citing in-house completion of Poplar Neck and unforeseen costs on the fuel project.
The Wicomico County Council held a public hearing on Resolution 225-2025, which would reallocate $100,000 from the Poplar Neck Drainage Project to the FY26 fuel tank system upgrade. Jim Atkins and other residents questioned bidding practices and budget accuracy; Pam Olin, finance director, and Adam Corey, deputy director of public works, explained the circumstances.
Corey described aging infrastructure at the county’s fuel site — two 12,000-gallon above-ground storage tanks with interstitial issues and corroded metal — and said full system replacement estimates exceeded earlier figures. Pam Olin explained that the Poplar Neck project was completed in-house at roughly $96,000 and that capital funds roll year to year, which allowed the administration to propose reallocating the surplus to a project needing additional funds.
Council debated procurement practices and how estimates are prepared; staff said procurement rules limit vendor contact before budgets are set, and engineering estimates were used to plan the project. After discussion the council voted unanimously to adopt the transfer.
The resolution language states the $100,000 will move from the Poplar Neck capital project to the FY26 fuel tank upgrade to address unforeseen project cost increases.
