Proving that the opera ain’t over until the fat lady sings, the Wicomico Council rode into town this morning and increased the property tax rate by 1 cent. While a far cry from County Executive Rick Pollitt’s proposed 5 cent increase, many citizens were surprised by the last minute move. The motion to raise taxes passed by a 5 – 2 vote. Councilmembers Gail Bartkovich, Bob Caldwell, Matt Holloway, Stevie Prettyman, and Sheree Sample-Hughes supported the measure. Councilmen Bob Culver and Joe Holloway opposed any rate hike.
The motion to increase the property tax rate was justified by the state’s $735,000 cost shift for the county assessment office. However, after the rate hike was agreed to, council members seemed to hop into the trough by asking for additional appropriations.
State’s Attorney for Wicomico County Matt Maciarello had appeared earlier before council to ask for restoration of $105,000 that had been stripped from his salary account. Maciarello’s request was fully justified. Not only did Maciarello need the funds to keep his office operating at current levels, but to date, Maciarello has proven to be an outstanding steward of the taxpayers’ money. In addition, public safety is a key concern amongst Wicomico voters.
In addition to the funding for the State’s Attorney’s office, council members asked for increased funding for the county library and “Meals on Wheels”.
Sample-Hughes Shows True Stripes
Councilwoman Sheree Sample-Hughes, the sole Democrat on council, showed herself to be less an advocate of the taxpayer and more a champion for government largesse. She also proved to be more political gamesman than public servant.
After the special session to discuss Maciarello’s budget, Sample-Hughes came to the back of the room and told Maciarello that she hoped there were no hard feelings:
I had to pay hardball. I want that 1 cent tax increase.
To add insult to injury, not only did Sample-Hughes push for the tax hike but then voted AGAINST the budget because of cuts to the Wicomico County Board of Education (WCBOE).
It was pretty obvious that Sample-Hughes was playing to a group of constituencies, including her husband’s employer – the BOE. While I may have disagreed with the rate hike, I believe that the other members who supported were acting out of the best of intentions.
The Budget Vote
After multiple amendments, including the penny rate hike, it came time for the final budget vote. Joe Holloway voted against the budget. This was not surprising due to his longstanding opposition to tax increases.
The surprise move was Sample-Hughes. Her vote smacked of hypocrisy at its worst.
Culver supported the budget after voting against the rate hike. This was a responsible move.
Remember, if a majority of council voted against the budget, Wicomico taxpayers would have been hit with a 5 cent rate increase!
WHAT’S NEXT?
The budget is over. Rick Pollitt was given level funding for his office. We will see in the coming months that there will be no re-organization of his office (Rick will whine that he doesn’t have the money). There will be no re-structuring of the county government. Pollitt thinks he runs a lean, mean machine.
Fully expect a tax hike next year. I’m willing to bet that the council’s collective backs will be up to wall then. I’m sure Ms. Sample-Hughes is cheering as this goes to post.
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43 comments:
I admire Bob Culver for being opposed to the 1 cent tax increase but could see the forest from the trees by voting yes for the budget. Joe Hollaway on the other hand couldn't see the forest and only could hear his buddies at Johnny's ribbing him if he voted for any kind of tax increase at all. It was good his vote wasn't needed to do what was right for the people. He worked too hard on this budget to not have supported it.
I'm satisfied 80% of the hike was cut.
Between last nights votes for the city and now this (No Mo $ fo BOE)? I bet Ireton and Fredericson are both having multiple hissy fits today.
Geesh wouldn't want to be Brenda Colegrove on days like these, the poor women.
They can't stop spending, or begin to cut any waste. This is not the beginning of higher fees, taxes, fines, surcharges, etc. Its not the end, either.
what a bunch of thieving crooks.
We are still bending over , when will it end. Bend over again , here it comes.
Wish I had a job!
I'm tired of being a prostitute for the government.
Don't agree. Very disappointed for increase. Also, feel it was a cheap move by Marciello to come in at the last minute, especially to increase SALARY! I guess he can't count and someone pointed it out to him at the last minute. I'll vote against him next time too.
We are still bending over , when will it end. Bend over again , here it comes.
Wish I had a job!
I'm tired of being a prostitute for the government.
Just from my observation I thought the money Matt asked for was not to increase salaries but to keep a position. I could be wrong.
I hate government! Let people live without making it more difficult. We really don't need you! I can't think of many services that we really need, much less cut to the bare bones and won't make a difference. Pollitt is a pig and crook. Matt is a pig, squeeking at the last second. A tax hike for a county that doesn't want it and could care less in majority of what people feel. The government add very little if any value and that includes the school system and law enforcement. Big wastes of money!!
Hiss and moan. Some people are a really a trip. The council cut over $3 million out of Rick's requested budget. At least acknowledge they did what they were elected to do...make hard decisions. If only congress had a much backbone! and they worked it to the last minute. Not a cut and dried nice neat package. My hat's off to them.
I watched today when the rino's got their 1 cent tax hike it was like a feeding frenzy to see how fast they could spend it. Sorry I voted for Matt Holloway, Bobby Culver, and Prettyman. It won't happen again. Disappointed
Matt was not increasing salary, the County wanted to cut $100,000 out of his budget to fund something else. He found out about the Council's plan on Friday night.
Anon 3:20 when you take your hat off to them be sure to turn it over and pass it around, you are going to need the money need the money.
It sounds as if Matt Marciello is learning his craft from Pollitt.
who cares if you cut 3 million from an OVER INFLATED BUDGET. how about cutting 3 million from actual spending. then come and tell me about slick Rick. these governments are going to drive business directly off this peninsula. we are going to be a subsidized neighborhood beholden to MD politicians in Baltimore and Annapolis. we are becoming the slum like B-more. wake up
2:38 said "I can't think of many services that we really need, much less cut to the bare bones and won't make a difference"
Really? Are you serious? You must never leave your house. Never need police, education, roads, fire/ems. With the county cutting 14 million over the last few years, I would say there ARE departments that have been stripped to bare bones. Will any more money be allocated to the highway deparment? God knows that it is needed. When is the county council going to make infrastructure a priority?
3:29
Part of your frustration is valid but you might not understand how it works. If all voted no on the budget then Ricks budget would pass like last year.Only Bob Culver and Joe Holloway voted no on the 1 cent increase, all others voted for the increase. If you are upset you should aim at only those that voted for the tax hike.
As a County Employee, I'm curious... are we getting another year of pay cuts due to furloughs? Anyone? PIO? Joe? GA? Anyone? We are always kept in the dark, and typically have to come here to find anything out... and I'm furloughed today, so no, I'm not at work posting this...
I watched today and was amazed to see them vote the one cent increase. I was hoping for more, and expecting nothing at all. I guess if a republican SA wants more money, it's okay. This majority republican council, elected by the voters, caved only when one of their own was doing the asking. I do believe they should have honored the SA's request, but I believe they should have provided the means to collect the extra revenue provided for in the cap (that most don't understand, but voted for anyway.) In the end Wicomico County is still going to suffer.
4:12, how do you and your fellow co-workers feel that Ricky's staff was increased, several will get promoted, get increases and Ricky can fall asleep at his desk for another four years while people like you get no raise, and furloghs? Just sayin!!! help us out to understand how people who work for this idiot feel. Thanks!
Matt needed it in order to KEEP an attorney & support staff. No salary increases. Not a cheap move - the guy has balls.
4:12pm The council eliminated one furlough day for the employees. Or at least that is my understanding. Hope this helps you.
The next time I will vote for the dem's at least I will not be surprised.
The more money the gov gets, the worse off we are. I remember when taxes were affordable (yes, i'm pretty old) and things were great. Low crime, good education system, nice and hardworking public officials and workers. Now it's totally flipped, the gov workers make a ton of money, do bad jobs, steal, lie and spend their time infighting while we go broke, children get murdered, drug gangs take over and schools go down. It doesn't take a math wiz to figure out the pattern.
Delaware here i come!!!
I wonder how many foreclosures the new tax increase will cause? Was that ever brought up at the meetings?
Matt is an underhanded crook. How errogant that he comes in begging for money at the last minute. All businesses have to do with less...he is not different.
If the Sheriff's Dept or BOE did this, they would be crucified.
I can't wait till the next votes as he just lost mine!
6:14pm That's pretty strong language "underhanded crook." I hope you are ashamed of yourself. Matt did not come in begging for money at the lat minute, just to set the record straight. There was some kind of miscommunication between the ce's office and what he proposed to council and the $105,000 was cut twice. So council had to find $105,000 to replace it. It's that's simple. Before you start calling people crooks, etc, please try and get the facts first.
Oh, come on. I'm not perfectly happy, but I think they did pretty well. One cent is better than five. I don't agree with cutting the SA either. Stupid to have police do their job and not have enough folks to do the prosecuting. If that $100,000 keep even one scumbag off the street, it'll be worth it.
5:21
Well, lets add up a 1 penny increase per $100 value of a home. If the home is valued at $100,000, then a 1 penny increase will raise your property tax by $10 per year. If the home is valued at $300,000 a year, then a 1 penny increase will raise your property tax by $30 per year.
If a 1 penny increase in the property tax is going to result in a forecloser of a home, then you are about to lose your home anyway.
really tired of working my rear off just so that a HUGE chunk of my check can be taken by the govt every week and used to fund all kinds of programs that I am not eligible for because I work!! help the working man out, our back's are breaking under the strain of the lazy and unemployed who have it better than we do
I was very disappointed with today's increase! We shouldn't have had any increase at ALL!!! Budget cuts, budget cuts and learn to adapt. Most families in the real world are constantly budget cutting and it hurts! But not our Wicomico County!!
DELAWARE: Sussex approves budget with no property tax increase
GEORGETOWN — Sussex County residents will not be paying more in property taxes next year under a $140 million budget approved today.
6:14 Before you run your mouth find out what the heck the story really is. You must have had a court appearance against Matt or his office to be talking like that. Matt is in his first year of the budget process. Funds had been reduced twice. Get a life 6:14.
Sounds like the buffoons are really bitching, so they must have done the right thing on the budget.
Standby for more incessant whining by Ricky Pollitt (it's disgusting).
Anony. 6:14 You Got That Right
Just got home from my second job and find out my taxes are going up. I know it's not a lot but with everything else piling up and my wife laid off it stinks. To think that while I am working two jobs these people are dreaming up ways to get more of my money.
Anon 3:29pm
I also watched as they jumped on the money, looked like a starving dog after a bone I think they handed out about $500.000 in about two minutes. Thank goodness they are only part time.
So why isn't Rick trimming his office staff? Leaders should set the example. Everyone else has to do more with less, so should he when it comes to his staffing. Put an extra policeman on the street or an extra paramedic on an ambulance, but funding for the fat cats at the top - c'mon, give me a break.
RINO = Thieves
Vote them all out of office even your beloved Stevie Prettyman and Joe Holloway!
Anon 0653 -
That's brilliant! The council majority cuts $3.9 million from Pollitt's budget but they're thieves? Holloway votes against the 1 cent tax hike AND the budget but you want him out too? What about Bob Culver? He voted against the tax hike but FOR the budget. I guess you want him out too.
Something tells me that the only councilmember you want to see re-elected is Sheree Sample-Hughes.
G.A. You did a very poor job on this article. Were you trying to upset everyone by only talking about the 1 cent increase without being positive and sharing the almost $4 Million the council cut? You were very unfair to the entire council. I expected better from you.
Yes, raising taxes on working the poor which will surely put some families out on the street does anger people. Rich folks will barely notice the increase but some of us working poor that are living on the edge will be pushed over. If you rich folks feel your not paying enough taxes, just play the lottery, it's a voluntary tax game/system.
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