SALISBURY, Md. - The Wicomico County budget was presented to the public Thursday night and county officials say the county is in a tough spot. County Executive Rick Pollitt says Maryland's "Doomsday Budget" is partially to blame.
The state of Maryland could possibly impose $7 million on the county for education purposes. County officials say this was cut in half from $14 million.
If there is no relief from the state from the $7 million county officials say it would force them to give up on certain goals. This includes the construction of a new Bennett Middle School, all capital improvement projects and using $5.7 million from the county's general funds which is 36 percent of the available fund balance.
The budget would also call for an increase in the property tax rate. County officials say property values have dropped statewide and Wicomico County has been effected as well. A 7 cent increase would be imposed to make up for the difference.
"It's not good for our county to know our value of our properties are dropping. I think we just need to hope that our economy will turn around and our property values will go back up in time, but right now we have to deal with the crisis that we're in right now financially," says Michelle Wright of Hebron.
Among other things on the budget was an increase in income tax rates from 3.1 percent to 3.2 percent, the state maximum. After the public comments are taken into consideration, the budget will be presented to the Wicomico County Council for approval
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