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Wicomico County council adopts FY27 budget after debate over landfill fees and $3.5M Humane Society match
Summary
After extensive amendments and public comment the Wicomico County Council voted 5–1 to adopt the FY27 budget and capital improvement program, approving a January 2027 landfill tipping fee of $100 per ton and a $3.5 million capital match for the Humane Society amid concern about reserve use and public-safety negotiations.
Wicomico County’s council approved the annual operating and capital budget for fiscal year 2027 on June 2, passing Legislative Bill 2026-04 after a series of staff presentations and council amendments.
The package, approved by a 5–1 roll-call vote, includes the FY27 operating budget, the capital improvement program through FY31 and a set of salary and position adjustments for the coming year. Council members debated multiple amendments in public sessions and during an extended meeting that followed the public-business agenda.
Why it matters: The budget sets county spending priorities for the year ahead and funds major capital projects. Council decisions in this cycle also altered user fees and included a controversial one-time capital match that drew public scrutiny.
Key votes and figures: The council adopted the overall spending plan and later approved a separate resolution to levy the real and personal property tax rate for FY27. Notable line items and adjustments included reallocated capital funding across departments, the creation or continuation of specific grants and vendor agreements, and a county contribution of $3.5 million that the council added to the CIP as a capital match for a proposed Humane Society capital campaign.
Council debate focused on reserves and long-term liabilities. One council member said he could not back the package because he lacked confidence in the county’s fiscal posture and objected to some large reserve draws and line items. “I’m not going to vote for this budget,” Councilman Holloway said on the record, citing concerns about repeated reserve reliance and unanswered questions about certain projects.
County staff and the administration defended the package as the result of multiple work sessions and public meetings. Finance staff walked the council through amendments and revised revenue assumptions linked to changes in solid-waste fees and household permit revenue.
Final steps: With the legislative vote complete the budget and tax resolution are now in effect for FY27; implementation will proceed according to the timetable in the adopted documents. The council and executive signaled plans for follow-up work on several ongoing matters, including a fire-service commission and additional CIP detail and reporting.
What’s next: Council members said they expect additional oversight during the year as capital projects move toward contract and construction phases and as staff bring detail on high-cost projects that will draw on fund balance or borrowing.
