Wicomico County lays out CIP priorities: dredging, Salisbury septic elimination and sewer planning for rural villages

Wicomico County finance and public‑works staff presented the capital improvement plan to the council on Jan. 6, describing near‑term priorities and estimated funding strategies for dredging, water and sewer projects, roads and solid waste improvements.

Pamela, the county’s finance director, described the CIP as a five‑year planning document based on current industry estimates that will change as project scoping and market conditions evolve. Adam Corey, acting director of public works, outlined three recurring engineering priorities in the plan: funding for the county’s WIP program, a renewed emphasis on dredge management to restore capacity, and MS4 stormwater requirements.

Dredge management: Staff said large expenditures are front‑loaded in FY2027–28 so the county can move several dredging cycles forward and restore long‑deferred work. Corey said the county is pursuing state and federal grant opportunities and coordinating with partners including U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the Nature Conservancy and Ducks Unlimited.

Salisbury septic elimination: Staff reported the county has been awarded a forgivable grant and a loan for the Salisbury septic‑elimination project and placed the project in FY2027 pending loan/grant closeout and required state documentation. Councilors pressed staff on repayment logistics and billing arrangements with the City of Salisbury; staff said specific repayment mechanisms and billing responsibilities will be negotiated and returned to council for approval.

Parsonsburg/Pittsville: The Parsonsburg preliminary engineering report is complete and staff recommended funding design steps so the project is ready when Pittsville upgrades its wastewater plant. Corey said Parsonsburg could be served by Pittsville at about 50,000 gallons per day capacity but agreed the full hookup could be years away and that current funds would support PER and design work to keep the project shovel‑ready.

Bering Creek and bridges: Staff presented 100% plan sets for Bering Creek, described permit renewals with the Department of the Environment and said a design revision to a three‑culvert structure reduced costs and made it feasible for in‑house construction; the current cost estimate was discussed along with a pending state aid application.

Roads and ferry: The CIP now lists ferry renovation and routine replacement cycles; staff said they are assessing the cost and feasibility of a third ferry to maintain service when one vessel is out of service. Councilors asked staff for status updates and written synopses on specific state‑partner road items such as the Warwick egress.

Solid waste: Finance staff corrected a typo in the packet for a gas‑well upgrade project, confirming a $2,000,000 estimate to be supported primarily by state grant funds rather than enterprise funds. Other solid‑waste projects noted in the CIP include Newland Park expansion and convenience‑center improvements.

Staffing and delivery concerns: Several councilors questioned whether public works has capacity to deliver additional projects while maintaining routine maintenance. Staff acknowledged concerns and offered to return detailed project packets and timelines; council requested fiscal notes, permitting updates and grant‑matching strategies before formal adoption of CIP line items.

Next steps: staff will share detailed packets and revised CIP line items with council, provide grant‑application status updates and prepare any necessary fiscal‑note information prior to final budget adoption.