Immediate saving measures put into place upon taking Office:

Eliminated employee birthday holiday; saved $180,000 in non-productive payroll.

Eliminated take home cars for employees other than sworn deputies; resultant fuel savings and vehicle wear and tear. Instituted pool car concept to lower travel costs.

Requested reduction in departmental Operating Budgets by 2.5% in major areas where it could be attained without interference with operations. Achieved overall department savings of 6.4%.

Instituted a new Countywide Mail System to minimize employee travel and non-productive payroll hours.

The County’s 2015 Financial Results were outstanding. Our financial auditors rendered an unqualified opinion and as a result of higher than anticipated revenue and significant saving in departmental expenses, the County increased its reserves by $3.6 million and was able to avoid the utilization of any prior year revenue.

Implemented Finance Department MUNIS Transparency Module on County website, providing citizens with a more robust financial information tool.

All three major credit rating agencies affirmed Wicomico County’s strong credit ratings as follows:

Fitch maintained its AA/Stable rating and commented: “Management’s conservative budgeting practices and recent revenue enhancements have resulted in historically positive operating results, ample reserve levels and strong liquidity.  The county’s charter limitations have not hampered financial performance, and revenue and spending flexibility remains available.”

Moody’s affirmed its Aa2 rating and commented: “The Aa2 rating reflects the County’s sound financial reserve position, which is bolstered by strong management and formal fiscal policies.  The rating also incorporates the County’s sizable, albeit rural, tax base that has begun to stabilize following a period of moderate declines and its position as an economic center for the Delmarva Peninsula.”

Standard & Poor’s continued its AA+/Stable rating citing: “Strong budgetary performance with operating surpluses in the general fund and at the total governmental fund.  Very strong budgetary flexibility with fiscal 2014 audited available reserves at 36% of general fund expenditures.  Very strong liquidity and very strong management conditions with strong financial management policies and practices.”

This facilitated an October 20, 2015 sale of $13,185,000 in new bonds at a true interest cost of 2.3% and refinancing of $6,530,000 of 2007 general obligations bonds at a true interest cost of 2.41%. The refinancing will save Wicomico County $363,201 in interest costs over the approximate 8 year remaining term of the issue.

Lower paid employees received a 4% increase in 2016 Operating Budget in order to address wage scale compression. Certain other employees’ pay was increased to meet new minimum wage standards.

Finalized and executed the Trust Agreement that provides the Fraternal Order of Police Disability Benefit.

Hired a new Director of Finance with unanimous County Council confirmation.

Enhanced the Government Office Campus Security measures.

Promoted Weston Young to Public Works Director.

Recreation, Parks and Tourism Promotions: Steve Miller, Director of Recreation, Parks, and Tourism; Kristen Goller, Director of Tourism; Nichole Wheatley, Director of Marketing.

Law Department cost reduction measures were put into place.

Personnel Manual revision/review has been initiated in order to update the County’s dated Personnel Manual.

Nominated Lori Brewster to the Maryland Rural Health Association in the category of “Outstanding Rural Health Achievement” an honor which was bestowed upon her on October 29, 2015 at the 2015 Rural Health Awards Ceremony

Initiated legislation which was enacted on November 19, 2015 allowing Wicomico County employees to participate in the Wicomico County Board of Education Mentoring Project, a voluntary program that matches students with mentor volunteers.

Wicomico County partnered with the Maryland Food Bank in hosting a County-wide employee food drive. The goal of the aptly named “1-Ton Challenge” was to collect one ton of food for the Maryland Food Bank. Over the course of the challenge, Wicomico County employees came together and surpassed the goal, collecting 2,317 pounds of food for the Maryland Food Bank. This food will provide 2,780 meals to Maryland residents.

December 2^nd, Official Swearing-In Ceremony. The Honorable Larry Hogan, Guest Speaker.  Established a close relationship with the Governor and his staff to advocate for Wicomico County.

Engaged the County’s Health Officer and other Elected Officials, together with a member of the Transition Team, to support Lt. Governor Rutherford’s assignment to combat the ever-growing Heroin and Opioid problem across the State.

Have held regularly scheduled Legislative meetings with local delegation to discuss issues pertinent to Wicomico County and its citizens.

Legislative Bills: Joined the County Council in opposing Legislative Bills HB0381 and SB0257, PMT.  Bills are in direct conflict with Governor Hogan’s desire to review and assess.

Supported a proposal that allows Eastern Shore counties to opt out of the sprinkler system requirements

Negotiated a settlement with the Maryland Department of the Environment that avoided a $220,000 fine for landfill noncompliance. Proposed the demolition of the American Legion building in San Domingo, converting the site to a forest, which improves water quality.

Have held regular scheduled meetings with City of Salisbury Mayor Jake Day in order to better coordinate County and City operations.

Initiated Comprehensive Plan Update Review.

To effect a smooth and efficient transition into Office, announced and introduced the County Executive’s Transition Team, who assessed departmental proficiency.

Reorganized Airport Management Construct and Board of Commissioners with a focus on strategic development of the Airport as an economic asset.

Hired a Facilities Superintendent to assess the county’s real estate; create a construct that brings all major systems and infrastructures under one umbrella; create a central repository for building maintenance.

Department of Corrections Audit Award: In July of this year the Wicomico County Detention Center underwent an audit process from the Maryland Commission on Correctional Standards and was found to be in total compliance, 100% with all standards.  This is the first time in the facilities history of accomplishing this goal during the initial audit.

Merged operations of General Services under Public Works.

Wicomico County has achieved a recycling rate of 41.91%, over 65,000 tons of glass, plastics, metal, cardboard, and paper products exceeding State standards.

Completed purchase of State’s Attorney Office building on schedule.  Renovation of the old State’s Attorney Office is underway in preparation for an additional Circuit Court Judge.

Allocated $2.2 Million for the West Salisbury School project in 2016 CIP and $7.5 million in 2017 CIP.

Undertook assessment of all county facilities in order to ascertain a better understanding of the major capital needs of each building and to better prioritize capital spending.

Began renovation project of the historic Courthouse.

Completed improvements to Billy Gene Jackson Park and the Salvation Army property.

Completed the rehabilitation (repaving) of Airport Terminal Road and the Terminal Passenger Vehicle Parking Lot using Maryland Aviation Administration Airport Special Grant, Passenger Facility Charges.  No Wicomico County General Funds were used to finance either project.

Rehabilitation of Runway 5-23 completed.  The $8,922,805 project funded (90%) Federal Aviation Administration Airport Improvement Program Grant, (5%) Maryland Aviation Administration Airport Special Grant, and $446,141 (5%) Passenger Facility Charges.  No Wicomico County General Funds were used to finance this project.  The final product will bring RWY 5-23 into compliance with FAA design standards and increase the weight-bearing capacity of the existing 5,000’ x 100’ RWY 5-23 up to 56,000 pounds single-gear and 100,000 pounds dual-gear aircraft.

Completed renovations at the Carriage House; Ribbon Cutting August 11, 2015.

Emergency Services Radio System Request for Proposal has been issued and the funding for the required new system has been included in the 2016 and 2017 CIP.

WIP Projects:  The County has budgeted $200,000 per year as part of its Capital Improvement Plan.  The County has leveraged an additional $651,053 from State and non-profit organizations to assist with reducing nutrients and sediments from entering out local water bodies.  Grant funding is being used to assist with the cost of design/engineering and implementation of 18 stormwater retrofits projects underway in the County.

Engaged George, Miles & Buhr to undertake a sewer service feasibility planning study to address failing septic systems in the County Eastside corridor areas.

2017 CIP proposes water service to the Salisbury-Ocean City-Wicomico Regional Airport based on an analysis by George, Miles & Buhr.  Adding a public water supply will facilitate development on the airport grounds and in the general airport vicinity.

Created an Economic Development Cabinet that meets regularly to discuss our local economy and ways to enhance it.

Inventory Tax Phase Out is continuing.

As a means to stimulate the local housing industry, an Impact Fee Moratorium was put into place on April 23, 2015 with a sunset of December 31, 2016.

Perdue Stadium improvements are underway and a new 20 year lease with the Shorebirds has been negotiated and signed.

Henry S. Parker Complex expansion is in process. The County has obtained a $1 million grant from the State to assist in this project and an Option Agreement has been entered into for a 20 acre parcel of land adjacent to the complex.  This expansion will serve to enhance the County’s nationally recognized sports tourism efforts.

MAASA (Mid-Atlantic Amateur Sports Alliance), the formal sports marketing partnership between Wicomico County, Worcester County and the Town of Ocean City, received the 2015 Maryland Tourism Partnership Award.  Additionally, MAASA and Maryland Sports were awarded the Sports Destination Management Magazine 2015 Champions of Economic Impact in Sports Tourism Award for their collaboration in hosting the USSSA Eastern World Series, which will return for its tenth consecutive year in July of 2016.

Wicomico Youth & Civic Center renovations are in process. The $3.4 million project will modernize the appearance of this 40-year-old facility in order to make it more competitive in the marketplace.  The State has contributed a $1 million grant to assist in the endeavor.

Created the Office of Business Development and established two new positions entitled “Director of Business Development and Grants” and “Administrative Office Associate 1”.

Assisting The Maryland Food Bank with relocation effort and culinary school project for second chance students; alcohol/drugs/shelter housing/unemployment.

USSSA (United States Specialty Sports Association) Girls Eastern World Series Tournament was held July 15, 2015 to August 01, 2015. Approximately 400 teams from 14 different states as well as Canada participated.  The event resulted in an estimated economic impact of $20 million and a hotel room night demand in excess of 12,000 room nights.

Governor’s Challenge Basketball Tournament is being held December 26, 2015 to December 30, 2015.  100 boys and girls teams from Maryland, Delaware, Virginia, New York, North Carolina, South Carolina and the District of Columbia will participate.  This is the largest tournament of its kind on the East Coast and the second largest in the nation.