WICOMICO COUNTY EXECUTIVE TO HOST PUBLIC HEARING ON CAPITAL PROJECTS PROGRAM AND BUDGET

December 5, 2012, Salisbury, MD – Wicomico County Executive Rick Pollitt is inviting all citizens to attend and participate in a Public Hearing on the development of next fiscal year’s Capital Improvements Program and Budget (CIP) to be held Wednesday, December 12, 2012 at 6pm in Room 301/Council’s Chambers of the Government Office Building.

The public is encouraged to submit ideas for capital improvements to the county’s facilities, infrastructure and equipment.  Executive Pollitt and his staff will consider these inputs when creating both the CIP FY2014 budget and accompanying Five Year plan. Ultimate decisions will be based on urgency of need and identification of available funding sources.

WHO: All Wicomico County residents

WHAT: Public Hearing Notice: Capital Improvements Program and Budget

WHEN: Wednesday, December 12, 2012 at 6pm

WHERE: Government Office Building, 125 N. Division Street, Salisbury in Room #301

Section 702 of the Wicomico County Charter defines “Capital Project” as (1) the building or purchase of any physical public betterment or improvement and any preliminary studies and surveys relative thereto; (2) the acquisition of property of a permanent nature for public use; and (3) the purchase of equipment for any public betterment or improvement when first erected or acquired.

The above definition includes a wide range of items from land to bridges, and buildings together with all their necessary equipment.  The Capital Improvements Program and Budget, referred to as the CIP, is intended for projects that are significant in scope; take several years to plan and complete and require large amounts of funding from one or more sources.   

The CIP is prepared by the Executive and approved by Council before the annual operating budget is prepared.  This is because the projects in the CIP represent such a large investment that the county must commit to their funding levels before the annual operating budget can be constructed.  The funds required by the projects in the first year of the CIP are appropriated within the annual budget.  The authority to issue debt to fund the approved projects requires further legislative action by the Council.