Council delays appointments to water and sewer advisory committee amid concerns about advertising process

WICOMICO COUNTY, Md. — The Wicomico County Council on Jan. 6 postponed four appointments to the Water and Sewer Technical Advisory Committee after some members objected that the administration had not advertised the openings.

The county executive recommended four candidates (including Matthew Drew, Austin Whitehead and Dallas Baker) to serve on the advisory committee that will guide implementation of the county’s water and sewer master plan. Several council members said they had received criticism about the selection process and moved to postpone consideration until the positions could be publicly advertised; the council voted to table or postpone each of the related resolutions (Resolutions 09–12) by unanimous vote during the session.

Administration representatives said the recommended candidates were vetted with community partners and had relevant technical credentials — including licensed engineers and former public-works leadership — and stressed that the charter historically allowed the executive to recommend appointments. Legal staff clarified a 45-day timing provision in the charter that bears on appointment procedures.

The tabling decision means the advisory nominations will return to the council after the advertised process or other agreed steps; council members asked administration staff to work collaboratively to ensure broader outreach and that the charter timeline is met.

Provenance: Appointment presentations began at SEG 1677; postponement votes are recorded through SEG 1853.