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Council creates Westside advisory committee despite concerns about precedent and costs
Summary
After extensive debate, the council voted 5–1 to formalize the Westside Community Task Force as an advisory committee with access to council chambers and county recording; council members raised concerns about setting a geographic-commission precedent, potential administrative costs and duplication of existing groups.
Wicomico County Council voted 5–1 on March 3 to establish the Westside Community Task Force as a county advisory committee (Resolution 48-2026) after a prolonged debate over whether formalizing the group would set an undesirable precedent or enhance community access and accountability.
Captain Joe Lapen, speaking for the Westside group, described a two-year effort to address local problems — from ditches and mosquito spraying to park and dock repairs — and said formal recognition would increase the group’s "respectability" with county agencies and make it easier to escalate issues. "What I want to do is build the bridge with you guys," Lapen said, describing the task force’s role as a neighborhood coordinator between residents and county departments.
Opponents on the council cautioned that creating a geographically based, appointed commission could prompt numerous similar requests across the county and impose administrative burdens, including open-meetings training, minute-taking and security costs for after-hours meetings. One council member said, "If it ain't broke, don't fix it," arguing the group already achieved results informally. Others warned the action risked appearing as preferential treatment in an election year.
The county executive defended the move, saying formalizing the task force would not "grow government" because participants are volunteers. Staff and council members discussed mitigation options (daytime meetings to avoid extra security costs, using Pack 14 for recordings, and having an officer or volunteer prepare minutes) and stressed that the group could continue meeting locally even after formal recognition.
Vote: Resolution 48-2026 — Approved (5 in favor, 1 opposed). The council recorded concerns about precedent and administrative costs and asked staff to consider ways to limit costs and duplication of effort.
What happens next: Staff will work out logistics for chamber use, recording on Pack 14, minute submission workflows and any necessary open-meeting training or administrative support; council members urged inclusive outreach and geographic limits on scope.
