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Wicomico County council pauses most pay increases, agrees to advance sheriff raise by resolution
Summary
Council work session reviewed compensation-committee recommendations: most proposed raises for the county executive and council were deferred by consensus, while members signaled majority support for increasing the sheriff’s pay and asked staff to return a resolution for formal vote.
Wicomico County Council members on Jan. 6 reviewed recommendations from the compensation commission on elected-official pay and reached a consensus to defer most proposed increases while advancing a recommended raise for the county sheriff. The committee’s packet listed the county executive’s current salary at $107,000 and recommended $109,000 plus a $2,000 annual step increase; councilors expressed reluctance to adopt that change immediately, citing timing and budgetary concerns.
At the work session several members said the executive had previously told the committee she did not seek an increase. One councilor argued staged step increases were preferable to a single large bump; another said raising pay can attract experienced candidates but was unsure the present environment warranted an immediate increase. On balance the body indicated it would not move forward on an executive or council pay change at this time.
By contrast, members voiced broader support for updating the sheriff’s pay. Councilors referenced comparable-county data and suggested accelerating the proposed step increases to reduce a large pay gap. County staff explained the sheriff’s salary "could be increased by resolution" and that a formal vote on that resolution could be scheduled for the council’s next meeting; the salary change would take effect for the next term under that process.
The council also discussed Board of Education compensation. A councilor supported raising board member pay to mirror Worcester County (about $7,000 for members, $7,500 for the chair). Staff and a commission member clarified a worksheet that appeared to show a dollar figure actually lists the student count (about 15,005). Members debated whether a per‑student metric is an appropriate basis for pay and noted changes affecting school-board compensation may require different procedural steps (local resolution versus a referendum or legislative action), depending on charter and state rules.
Next steps: staff will prepare a resolution to present the sheriff’s proposed pay change for a formal vote. Any changes to the county executive, council or Board of Education compensation will return to council with fiscal notes and recommended implementation paths (resolution, budget action or, if required, referendum).
