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Sunday, January 04, 2015

County Asked to Reduce City Taxpayer Burden

Mayor James Ireton, Jr. announced today, on behalf of City taxpayers, that new Wicomico County leaders must address, in FY16, the fiscal inequalities which have rested on the shoulders of City taxpayers for far too long.  Mayor Ireton will advance County Executive Bob Culver and County Council President John Cannon requests regarding the following fiscal issues:

1.)    Tax differential for Salisbury, Delmar and Fruitland.  An April, 2014 Municipal and Financial Services Group (MFSG) study estimates that Wicomico County owes the three municipalities the following for FY 2015:
a.) City of Salisbury - $1,051,909 
b.) Town of Fruitland - $98,394
c.) Town of Delmar - $55,015 
               
The study assumes a base rate of $.955/per $100 of assessable real property without differential countywide, and calculates the following tax rates with tax differential for FY2015:



2.)    Fire Service Agreement 2015.  Data from the County G.I.S. and 911 Computer Aided Dispatch System indicates:
a.) The City responds to 62.95% of the total fire calls in the County
b.) The City responds to 66.71% of all EMS calls in the County
c.) The City serves 56.58% of the County population
d.) The City serves 58.38% of the County’s assessed valuation
e.) The City received only 23.87% of the County’s total funding for fire and EMS in FY14.

“City taxpayers are being unfairly forced to pay for the majority of the costs for county fire service.  The county must adopt a Fire Service Agreement which pays for provided services.  We as a city don’t give away septic service, we don’t give away water service, and we’re done giving away fire service.  The county must pay for the services it uses,” said Mayor Ireton.

These inequities amount to $2.22 Million dollars of Salisbury fire service provided to County residents that they do not pay for.  County residents get three times more fire service than they are paying for.  Mayor Ireton and all 5 City Council members have formally asked the county to adopt an assessable base option for fire and EMS in Wicomico County.  The assessable base model is used to provide for the costs for protecting/responding to calls for service demanded by, and directly related to, the amount of real properties and residents in a given fire district.

Mayor Ireton added, “City residents are bearing the unfair tax burden of providing County residents fire service for free.  We want City taxpayers to have their County taxes decreased to balance the subsidy the City is giving the County.

“As Mayor, I am delighted that Delegate-Elect Carl Anderton (R-38) has said that the first bill he will introduce in the legislature is one that will address the tax differential inequity.  His bill, to amend sections 6-305 and 6-306 of the Annotated Code of Maryland, will move Wicomico County from the “May” list of counties that provide tax offsets to municipalities in Maryland, to the “Shall” list of applicable counties.  This legislation would help solve the over-taxation of municipal residents in Wicomico County, and I will be watching its progress closely.”

103 comments:

Anonymous said...

How about the City prohibit fire trucks from going on medical calls and lunch runs? That would probably save $2.2m alone. Instead of asking for more money, look at your spending and save it there.

Oh, but you're a democrat.

Anonymous said...

Why wasn't this done when his democrat pal Pollitt was in?

Anonymous said...

Good ole Ireton , trying to get a bailout for his stupid decisions and his democrat council decisions.

Anonymous said...

How about the fact that the State Attorneys office handles criminal cases and the county detention center houses those arrested in Salisbury? It is not all about fire service.

Anonymous said...

Then - I would also expect Carl Anderton to include language that will exempt out illegal's who are currently being educated on our County/City residents dime. Look - (example: Prince Street School) - at how many illegal children are being eduated - some of which have actually been shipped-in by the Federal Government - and the entire tax burden has been placed upon the shoulders of our County/City residents.

There are a lot of inequalities in our current system - and I would hope that Mr. Carl Anderton will include language to address these 'illegal' migrants.

Anonymous said...

Screw that Turd Monkey Jim Liarton and if Carl Anderton plays into this stupid game of Jimbeu's then it would be obvious that we voted for him instead of Norm Conway.

If Rick Pollitt and Norm Conway didn't think it was a good idea then what hell makes Jimbeau think the Republican County Executive and County Council will bow to his demands.

Anonymous said...

"Why wasn't this done when his democrat pal Pollitt was in?"

It's been done every year for at least the last five years. Each and every time, it's been ignored by Pollitt and the county council.

Anonymous said...

Other than Salisbury which other fire department in Wicomico County has a PAID fire crew? If the city wants paid firemen let them pay for them. The rest of us in the county make out just fine with our volunteers. SFD has run all the volunteers off because they threatened the jobs of the paid babies. Suck it up Ireton you are stuck with the bill now. Oh and by the way. I believe that GRANTS that you got were from the taxes I PAY to the federal government and the state government. Let's take all the money paid to the state and fed government by those not in the city and make sure it ONLY for the county and the city will only get grants from money collected from city residents.

Anonymous said...

How are they providing county residents fire service for free? They bill you for their service.

Anonymous said...

First, I disagree with the Mayor. But, using his logic, why did he stop with Fruitland and Delmar. Aren't there other incorporated municipalities in the County....Willards, Pittsville, Hebron, Mardela, Sharptown, just to name a few. This double billing of the taxpayer in NOT the fault of the County. It was you, the City, that decided to have your own fire service and police service. You made that decision to double bill your taxpayers. Now, lay off the rest of us for what you did. Suck it up buttercup!!

Anonymous said...

So, does the Mayor plan to reduce city taxes by the offset, or will he put the money in the budget and forget the people who unnecessarily and unfairly paid them?
Wouldn't it be refreshing if the city wrote a check to every city taxpayer, splitting the $2.2 million instead of keeping it? After all, it's their money, not the city's - the city collected it from the city taxpayers because the county wouldn't pony up for its share of services.

Anonymous said...

Anonymous said...
"Why wasn't this done when his democrat pal Pollitt was in?"

It's been done every year for at least the last five years. Each and every time, it's been ignored by Pollitt and the county council.

January 2, 2015 at 9:16 AM

As will be done with this CE and County Council.

I guess you and Rick weren't very close at all then were you Jimmy!! LMFAO

JoeAlbero said...

For those of you who have and still do support Jim Ireton, how would you taxpayers feel if Culver were to charge you back for all the services provided to protect you from the Wicomico County Sheriff's Office? Do you have ANY idea how much they could charge!

I told you before, BE VERY CAREFUL WHAT YOU WISH FOR.

Anonymous said...

They only bill for ambulance calls, and those bills go to the persons getting the service, or to their medical insurers, not the county.

Anonymous said...

From this city taxpayer's perspective, it's a good point worth considering. When they do, maybe it's time to charge $5.00 a pop at the zoo, which is fully funded by the city. If you can't afford that, don't go!

Anonymous said...

Anonymous said...
How are they providing county residents fire service for free? They bill you for their service.

January 2, 2015 at 9:21 AM

Bingo!!

Anonymous said...

Anonymous Anonymous said...
Other than Salisbury which other fire department in Wicomico County has a PAID fire crew? If the city wants paid firemen let them pay for them. The rest of us in the county make out just fine with our volunteers. SFD has run all the volunteers off because they threatened the jobs of the paid babies. Suck it up Ireton you are stuck with the bill now. Oh and by the way. I believe that GRANTS that you got were from the taxes I PAY to the federal government and the state government. Let's take all the money paid to the state and fed government by those not in the city and make sure it ONLY for the county and the city will only get grants from money collected from city residents.

January 2, 2015 at 9:18 AM

Good point!! You are 100% Correct.

Anonymous said...

If the City of Salisbury Fire Department wants to run fire and ambulance calls in the County for free then stop billing us for those over inflated ambulance bills. The Salisbury Fire Department is being compensated by the County already to run calls in the County. They are also in turn billing the county residents. Stop charging ambulance bills if you think it is free.

Anonymous said...

GTH Jimbo the Homo! We are tired of you placing your demands on the County. You don't own us and your little followers like Laura Mitchell, Josh Hastings and Ron Pagano were SPANKED in the County Council election. You thought you would be able to control the County Council, but it back fired. Guess what your boy RINO John Hall is next!

Anonymous said...

Anonymous Anonymous said...
First, I disagree with the Mayor. But, using his logic, why did he stop with Fruitland and Delmar. Aren't there other incorporated municipalities in the County....Willards, Pittsville, Hebron, Mardela, Sharptown, just to name a few. This double billing of the taxpayer in NOT the fault of the County. It was you, the City, that decided to have your own fire service and police service. You made that decision to double bill your taxpayers. Now, lay off the rest of us for what you did. Suck it up buttercup!!

January 2, 2015 at 9:21 AM

You are correct. The money he is asking for would pay for those 12 additional paid firemen that weren't needed.

Hey Jim what is the problem that you have with volunteers? They supported you in your election and you turned your back on them also.

Anonymous said...

Jim Liarton needs that money to pay for the $6 Million mini Fire Palace for Station 2 on Brown Street.

In case you didn't know it Jimbo that Fire Palace you are building is in a Ghetto. The tax payers in Salisbury do not need an elaborate fire house built in the Ghetto. A fire house is only a garage to keep fire trucks out of the weather. A steel strand building for $1 Million is all you need. Better yet spend $2 million to renovate the current station. Even better yet just do nothing because nothing is needed to be done to Station 2 save us tax payers those millions of dollars. It works perfectly fine. But then again you are an idiot Tax and Spend Democrat.

Anonymous said...

Joe I would like to request that you keep this article at the top all day. This is guaranteed to be a big article of the year.

Anonymous said...

Anonymous said...
So, does the Mayor plan to reduce city taxes by the offset, or will he put the money in the budget and forget the people who unnecessarily and unfairly paid them?
Wouldn't it be refreshing if the city wrote a check to every city taxpayer, splitting the $2.2 million instead of keeping it? After all, it's their money, not the city's - the city collected it from the city taxpayers because the county wouldn't pony up for its share of services.

January 2, 2015 at 9:22 AM

His plan is to put it in the general fund to pay for the paid firemen. Duh!! Need you even ask such a dumb question.

Anonymous said...

What about the wasted money with the faulty waste water treatment plant and all the other screw ups? Will this allow us to vote in city elections?

Anonymous said...

I would like to know how many times the County Sheriff's Office made traffic stops, arrests and back ups to SPD in the City Limits. Let's start charging for that? What about the County Sheriff's deputies that we have to place in the schools to protect County residents from the Church Street thugs. That is costing the county a fortune and the reason they are in the County Schools is because of the criminal student thugs coming from the City. Make Jim Ireton pay for those deputies.

Anonymous said...

Anonymous said...
They only bill for ambulance calls, and those bills go to the persons getting the service, or to their medical insurers, not the county.

January 2, 2015 at 9:24 AM

WTH is your point??

Anonymous said...

The City residents use all the county roads and the County isn't asking for any additional funding for that.

Anonymous said...

Services the County Provides that the City of Salisbury may have to pay for.

Schools
Sheriff's Office
County Jail
County Correctional Officers
County Court House
Wicomico County States Attorney
County Bailiffs
County roads
County dump
County 911 Center
County 911 dispatchers
County roads employees
County dump trucks
County Emergency Management
County Fire Inspectors
County Health Department
County plumming inspector
County Electrical Inspectors
County Schools
County Deputies in schools
County nurses in schools
County teachers in schools
County schools superintendent.

Did I miss anything?

By the way there is a rumor that Jim Ireton is no longer working in the County School System. Is there any truth to that?

Anonymous said...

We already pay County taxes for their services; the same rate that County residents pay...

Anonymous said...

No way. Culver needs to tell him to pound sand. And Anderton better not bend either. People live outside of Salisbury city limits FOR A REASON. We will not pay for your poor policies and decisions.

Anonymous said...

What idiot voted for that dirt bag.

Anonymous said...

Responding to 8:55 Poster

I wholeheartedly agree with your assertion about Wicomico residents paying for foreign born illegals. I believe that the fire service subsidies (tax differential) being argued would prove to be miniscule in comparison to the Wicomico County Board of Education's funding of the illegals. And another thing - why isn't the BOE disclosing the actual number of foreigners being educated in Wicomico/Salisbury's school system. Fredricksen should be required to publically disclose this information and all of our Delegates including County officials should be made aware of the numbers.

Anonymous said...

so now that fellow democrat Politt is out and the Mayor needs to make it look like he is helping the city and not getting us sued this is nothing more than a cheap parlor trick designed to make up for years of piss poor decisions. I hope the majority of the city voters are not so stupid they fall for this.

Anonymous said...

10:06 and others,
City residents also pay county taxes, therefore they're already helping pay for the jail, school board, states attorney, etc.

Anonymous said...

The City has it's own fire inspectors. Cross it off your list.

Anonymous said...

DO NOT RE ELECT MAYOR LIARton.

Anonymous said...

10:44 Posting that said; 'why isn't Fredericksen disclosing no. of illegals'.

Good luck trying to get that information as the BOE will never divulge it. Try and remember that the CC is suppose to just hand over the monies without the caveat of them having them question it. At least not until Norman Conway was removed from public office acting as their protector.

Anonymous said...

The City residents or County residents don't even have any say in the BOE functions because we have no elected school board. Talk about taxation without representation - we've got here in Wicomico County.

Anonymous said...

The cost of living in this city although I don't know why anyone would choose to.

Anonymous said...

Liarton ask your Boy Obama for $$$ now you want real TAXPAYERS to bail you out FU, ASK your WELFARE crowd to cut back,

Ps FORGET about Re erection...

Anonymous said...

9:24am The Zoo is NOT fully funded by the city taxpayers. A part of the Tourism budget goes to fund the Zoo.

Also, I voted for Carl Anderton & if he thinks he should change the law from "may" to "shall", he will be a one-termer. Why does he want to raise my taxes & that is exactly what that will do to me since I live outside the city limits.

Stay strong County Executive & County Council. I understand all of the property taxes paid by everyone goes to Education. So I don't believe the city residents are paying anything for the other services mentioned above.

Anonymous said...

I'm so ashamed...

Last summer, I moved away from Salisbury, Wicomico County and Maryland. Specifically to get away from this type of crap.

And yet, here I am, still reading Joe's blog watching the train wreck in slow motion, as it were.

OMG, I am so glad I got out, before the whole ball of wax goes up in flames. I should get back to enjoying real life. There is hope! It just doesn't happen to have anything to do with living in Salisbury.

Cheers Joe.

Anonymous said...

This POS has his head so far up his butt that he doesn't recognize how well the city residents have it!

Between this and the piggyback tax - he's the problem.

JoeAlbero said...

11:58, Slow down there! To IMPLY that the Zoo gets any sort of substantial funding through the Hotel/Motel taxes is just out of line. The City Taxpayers get very little relief from that money and so you know those taxes also go to other departments as well, it's divided. To give you an example, 10 years ago, (or so) the entire Zoo ran on a budget of somewhere around $350,000.00. Again, those taxes paid very little towards that overall budget. NOW the Zoo runs on around a $3,000,000.00 a year budget. Now imagine just how small a percentage of those taxes help the taxpayers. It's minute.

Anonymous said...

12:18pm, Joe. Understand what you are saying, but my point was there is some money that goes to fund the Zoo. No sure how much, but 9:24am indicated the Zoo got nothing from the county. Just saying.

JoeAlbero said...

12:22 & Others, I'm truly not trying to argue with any of you. I want to make sure that our readers are not under the impression that what tax money comes in is not big money at all.

That being said, the Zoo is a LUXURY, not a SERVICE.

Now, I firmly agree that the County should volunteer to help the Zoo out financially and I have been an advocate on that topic for years.

Time are very hard on everyone. Perhaps when things look up financially they will consider doing so.

By the way, looking up doesn't mean when the County and City are making so much money they can afford such LUXURIES.

Right now the County has about $45,000,000.00 in the Bank. A GOOD REPUBLICAN will start REDUCING taxes and NOT find ways to blow that money on new toys. They TOOK from us, (just as the City did) to show a PROFIT and leave it to Jim Ireton to immediately find ways to spend that surplus on new toys.

Anonymous said...

$3 million a year for THAT? There has to be some major LARD in their budget. I wouldn't allow my animals there. Maybe they should go back to $350k.

Anonymous said...

People who live in the city pay for every single county service at the same rate as county taxpayers. However, city taxpayers also pay for duplicate services. For instance, county snow plows literally lift their plows when on city roads, even though every home on the city streets pay for that service by paying the same rate as county homeowners. There is a duplication of services and the county gets 100% of the money when this occurs and the city provides 100% of the service.

By the way I don't believe Anderton agrees with Ireton 100% on the issue. I'd like to hear from him before believing a press release from Ireton. Let's not jump to conclusions here based solely on Ireton's word.

Anonymous said...

Simple fire service fix. I was against but after seeing this..... All volunteer fire! As a county firefighter this pisses me off!

Anonymous said...

It never fails SFD wants every other Fire Departments money in the county. Fire equipment is not priced from the manufacturer by call volume, so what does it matter that SFD claims to run 62.95% of the fire runs in the county. How many of those runs are fire alarms and self dispatched medical assists, which the city bills the insurance company and business owner for creating additional revenue. Firefighting equipment costs about the same for each department in the county, so why should any one department take from another reducing the service that each department can provide. Firefighter and citizen safety should not be reduced based on funding by call volume.

How many of the SFD's apparatus actually responds on more runs than the average county fire department? I believe the city runs the majority of it's call volume with 3 pieces of apparatus while the other 8 or so apparatus sit in the firehouses. Doesn't SFD receive yearly special operations funding from the county and in return still bill the county for each HAZ-Mat run?

Anonymous said...

As for education - isn't there quite a few schools that are located in the Salisbury City limits. Who subsidizes these schools - Wicomico taxpayers. If the City of Salisbury was more money for the firefighters - then it is only fair for the City residents to ante up with the County residents for reimbursement of subsidies to the schools. How about Prince Street, how about West Salisbury, or Bennett, or Parkside. Aren't these located in the City limits?

And as for impact fees - why should the County residents be penalized for paying impact fees - only to find out that a significant portion of these fees are funding the educations for illegals? Like an earlier poster said, there are a lot of inequities in our State, & particularly our local tax structures. And it seems to be getting worse!!!!

Anonymous said...

Carl Anderton is introducing legislation on this matter in cooperation with the mayor. Did I hear that correctly on the radio?

Anonymous said...

Anyone surprised that Carl supports tax differential legislation hasn't been paying attention. As mayor, that was an issue he'd always harp on. It was a running theme in his campaign. Because of his experience as mayor, he wants to see this changed. He's not doing it to bail out Ireton.

T said...

Salisbury should have it's own school system, or possibly become an independent city just like Baltimore if we do that we won't have to pay county taxes or worry about what the county does

Anonymous said...

I agree with 3:43. Anderton has been an advocate on this issue for years as a councilman and Mayor. It's a municipal issue. It's his expertise. Only 2 counties refuse to offer municipal residents for duplicate services and Wicomico is one of them. Republicans in western Maryland and Southern Maryland and the rest of the Eastern Shore have no problem with this. It's not a liberal policy.

Anonymous said...

To 3:43 & 5:16 - then if Anderton is sponsoring legislation - then there should be consolidation of the Salisbury City Police, Wicomico Co. Sheriff's Dept. among many other consolidation City/County Consolidations. And while we are on the subject - there should also be consolidation and downsizing of the Fire Departments.

Concerned Retiree said...

I know it is repetitious but what is the dollar amount on ; lunch breaks all over town when there is a very modern kitchen at the firehouse. Why do 8 or more have to go out to lunch when they can call for delivery or one goes and gets the order, since they are on call while on duty? Why are there several pieces of equipment always riding around Salisbury instead of at the firehouse waiting on calls? Because of very poor planning on firehouse planning for full county coverage and paying the "GOOD OLE BOYS" for an old dump. Why do Why do three pieces of equipment respond to every call instead of one where needed? Why do fire trucks respond to doctors office. Why do EMS and Fire trucks ride around SU campus and housing areas when semester is in? I have more expense questions dealing with poor management and misuse of vehicles when they provide this list of occurred expenses in Dollars. Hoppes and Ireton wants to complain then provide these answers or request a forensic audit on the FIRE DEPT. for the Tax Payers review. This will justify their request or show wasteful expenditures. Until justified no changes to the Fire Dept. budget. Remember See, Gordy and Hoppes destroyed our Volunteers in the Salisbury Fire Dept. which did an excellent job.

Anonymous said...

The County has done many things for the City of Salisbury. Including rent free and maintenance free in the Government Office Building for decades.
The County owns the parking lot next to the GOB. The County allowed the City to put in meters and collect the proceeds and fines, no money goes to the County.
Sheriffs deputies respond to any and all help needed by Salisbury Police dept. No charge!
I can tell you more than you would believe.

Anonymous said...

The Homo says: "Mayor James Ireton, Jr. announced today, on behalf of City taxpayers, that new Wicomico County leaders must address, in FY16, the fiscal inequalities which have rested on the shoulders of City taxpayers for far too long."

Then he goes on a rant and speaks on behalf of "Tax differential for Salisbury, Delmar and Fruitland."

Well guess what Jimbo the Homo City of Salisbury tax payers don't need you speaking on behalf of Delmar and Fruitland. As a matter of fact Hebron, Mardela, Sharptown, Pittsville and Willards seem to be left out of this equation. You are towing the rope of your hero Barry Tilghman I see.

You are a dirt bag just like her.

Anonymous said...

Anonymous said...
10:06 and others,
City residents also pay county taxes, therefore they're already helping pay for the jail, school board, states attorney, etc.

January 2, 2015 at 11:13 AM

But no one asked the city to duplicate services such as police, roads, and parks and recs. The County already covers this. Not my problem. Move on Ireton.

Anonymous said...

Anonymous said...
The City has it's own fire inspectors. Cross it off your list.

January 2, 2015 at 11:23 AM

Uh, not really. They have no authority and training. The Wicomico County Fire Marshals Office is the Authority.

By the way who are these so called "fire inspector(s)."

Anonymous said...

Anonymous said...
The City residents or County residents don't even have any say in the BOE functions because we have no elected school board. Talk about taxation without representation - we've got here in Wicomico County.

January 2, 2015 at 11:44 AM

An elected school board would make no difference. You are living in La La Land. The same decisions will be made elected or appointed. You few people are being brainwashed by a few.

Anonymous said...

Bunky Luffman said...

People who live in the city pay for every single county service at the same rate as county taxpayers. However, city taxpayers also pay for duplicate services. For instance, county snow plows literally lift their plows when on city roads, even though every home on the city streets pay for that service by paying the same rate as county homeowners. There is a duplication of services and the county gets 100% of the money when this occurs and the city provides 100% of the service.

By the way I don't believe Anderton agrees with Ireton 100% on the issue. I'd like to hear from him before believing a press release from Ireton. Let's not jump to conclusions here based solely on Ireton's word.

January 2, 2015 at 1:12 PM

No Bunky you are wrong. The County snow plow drivers have no idea where the city/county boundaries are so how can they lift the plows. It would be time consuming so they just play right through. I know that for a fact. This city is so cut up because of all the screwed up annexations from the Barry Tilmon Adminsitration that they forgot to put up "You are entering City Limits" signs which cuts up the county roads so much.

Anonymous said...

Anonymous Anonymous said...
It never fails SFD wants every other Fire Departments money in the county. Fire equipment is not priced from the manufacturer by call volume, so what does it matter that SFD claims to run 62.95% of the fire runs in the county. How many of those runs are fire alarms and self dispatched medical assists, which the city bills the insurance company and business owner for creating additional revenue. Firefighting equipment costs about the same for each department in the county, so why should any one department take from another reducing the service that each department can provide. Firefighter and citizen safety should not be reduced based on funding by call volume.

How many of the SFD's apparatus actually responds on more runs than the average county fire department? I believe the city runs the majority of it's call volume with 3 pieces of apparatus while the other 8 or so apparatus sit in the firehouses. Doesn't SFD receive yearly special operations funding from the county and in return still bill the county for each HAZ-Mat run?

January 2, 2015 at 2:21 PM

You are absolutely correct.

The City does get a large compensatory sum from the County Council for their so call special operations and they in turn bill the county for that run. The best thing the entire volunteer fire service in Wicomico County could do is stand up against this raping of tax papers from these paid bullies. Rick Hoppes want the Salisbury Fire Department to get more county funding and the volunteer companies in the county to get less because Salisbury runs on more calls.

Anonymous said...

City residents are bearing the unfair tax burden...PERIOD!

Anonymous said...

Anonymous said...
The County has done many things for the City of Salisbury. Including rent free and maintenance free in the Government Office Building for decades.
The County owns the parking lot next to the GOB. The County allowed the City to put in meters and collect the proceeds and fines, no money goes to the County.
Sheriffs deputies respond to any and all help needed by Salisbury Police dept. No charge!
I can tell you more than you would believe.

January 2, 2015 at 9:43 PM

You are correct and the fools on the County Council allowed them to have that free use of the GOB for a $1. I say kick the bums out. Give them 6 months to find their own Government Office Building. The County needs that office space anyway.

I think the County should take over the parking lots and take over the meters as well.

Please do tell us more of what do you do know.

Anonymous said...

If Carl Anderton introduces this legislation then that will be political suicide on his part. First he is part of the Republican Club who supported his election. The majority of the County Council members are Republican Club members so I don't think they would be very receptive of Anderton doing this. It might be political suicide on his part.

Anonymous said...

Anonymous said...
Anyone surprised that Carl supports tax differential legislation hasn't been paying attention. As mayor, that was an issue he'd always harp on. It was a running theme in his campaign. Because of his experience as mayor, he wants to see this changed. He's not doing it to bail out Ireton.

January 2, 2015 at 3:43 PM

And you think this is right? You think the Republican members of the Council will condone this.

He may not be "bailing out" Ireton, but his alignment with Ireton proves a different story. By the way, thanks for the post Bunky.

Anonymous said...

T said...
Salisbury should have it's own school system, or possibly become an independent city just like Baltimore if we do that we won't have to pay county taxes or worry about what the county does

January 2, 2015 at 4:20 PM

I would to see "you" try that. It won't fly.

A better solution is to allow the Sheriffs Office to absorb the Salisbury Police Department, Roads and Parks. Problem solved.

An even better solution would be to dissolve the city charter.

Anonymous said...

Anonymous said...
To 3:43 & 5:16 - then if Anderton is sponsoring legislation - then there should be consolidation of the Salisbury City Police, Wicomico Co. Sheriff's Dept. among many other consolidation City/County Consolidations. And while we are on the subject - there should also be consolidation and downsizing of the Fire Departments.

January 2, 2015 at 5:50 PM

I agree with you 100%.

As a matter of fact A county wide fire department should be in order. Every County Executive form of Government has a County ran fire department with the exception of Wicomico County. County Executive Bob Culver get so balls and change this.

Anonymous said...

Concerned Retiree said...

...Remember See, Gordy and Hoppes destroyed our Volunteers in the Salisbury Fire Dept. which did an excellent job.

January 2, 2015 at 7:30 PM

And it should be noted that Rick Hoppes and John Tull have completed the job.

However, it's not to late to recruit and retain new volunteers to fill those rolls lost. It takes volunteers in numbers and the leadership of the Salisbury Fire Department needs to be relieved of their duties and authority and replaced.

Anonymous said...

12:21
I don't think the county has a fire marshal either. The fire marshal is a state employee. They just work in certain areas.

Anonymous said...

The City owns the parking lot and half of GOB, which they pay for. You people should open a budget book (and a grammar book for that matter) before you open your mouths or your laptops. Geez! Oh, and the zoo gets a small portion of the 4% entertainment tax as a pass through from the county ($200k). Many of the employees are paid by the zoo commission with salaries funded through events and fundraisers. The ENTIRE budget for the zoo is just over $1M - not $3M. Do you have any idea how much money the zoo contributes to the local economy in return? Of course not. Try about 17 times that much, as concluded by several conservative estimates.

Anonymous said...

Speaking of the new Mulit-million dollar fire station on Brown Street. It's a mini me of Station 16 on Cypress Street.

The Fire Station #16 on Cypress Street was used as a landfill. With that said large pockets of gas and toxic fumes delayed the construction and cost millions. They also found car parts as they were digging.

The foundation is sitting on large pilings and the floor is cracking with cracks come seepage of toxic fumes. But!! But supposedly a rubber cover was put down to prevent these toxic fumes from seeping through. We know what happens to rubber eventually. Those toxic fumes are going to cause cancer so I wouldn't want to be an employee in that building.

There is a Terror Trail and it leads to David See, Rick Hoppes and the Notorious Bill Gordy. You know the guy who is now the general contractor of the new Salisbury Fire Station on Brown Street.

Anonymous said...

Anonymous said...
City residents are bearing the unfair tax burden...PERIOD!

January 3, 2015 at 12:44 AM

AWW Cry me a river Jimbo the Homo.

Do you plan on giving the city tax payers that money back? After all it is their money.

Anonymous said...

Anonymous said...
12:21
I don't think the county has a fire marshal either. The fire marshal is a state employee. They just work in certain areas.

January 3, 2015 at 2:08 AM

What you want to call it, their primary function is fire protection and enforcement. It is their job and primary function is Fire Inspection and Code Enforcement. It is the job of the Wicomico County Fire Protection Division in Wicomico County to do Fire Inspections and Code Enforcement, not the Salisbury Fire Departments.

Wicomico County

Fire Protection

It is the mission and purpose of the Fire Protection Division to protect the people and property in Wicomico County from the dangers of destructive fire, primarily through fire code enforcement and public fire education. The program provides full service fire protection review, inspection and consultation relating to the fire code as well as fire prevention presentations to elementary school classes and civic groups throughout the county and the municipalities within it.

The Fire Protection Division is responsible for plan review of construction documents relating to all types of buildings except for one and two family dwellings. The purpose of the review is to try to determine that the plans for a building, fuel tank, dance, concert or other project or event will be compliant with the Wicomico County Fire Code or fire code of a municipality in the county. The Fire Protection Division provides these fire protection services to most areas of Wicomico County. Certain projects are reviewed and inspected by the Maryland State Fire Marshal's Office, specifically, all buildings designated as "educational" and "healthcare" occupancies and those projects which are funded by grants and funds provided by the State of Maryland.

Phone 410- 548- 4994

Anonymous said...

All municipal charters should be voided and allow the county to take all services under one govt similar to Baltimore County.

Anonymous said...

First who is this organization municipal and financial services group? I bet it is through the MML club that incorporated towns are a part of. If that group is actually under them then you have a biased survey not intended to look at all of the issues

Anonymous said...

Just to repeat - city residents pay County taxes. They are paying for the state's attorney and the schools just the same as all other County residents.

Anonymous said...

Anonymous said...
The City owns the parking lot and half of GOB, which they pay for. You people should open a budget book (and a grammar book for that matter) before you open your mouths or your laptops. Geez! Oh, and the zoo gets a small portion of the 4% entertainment tax as a pass through from the county ($200k). Many of the employees are paid by the zoo commission with salaries funded through events and fundraisers. The ENTIRE budget for the zoo is just over $1M - not $3M. Do you have any idea how much money the zoo contributes to the local economy in return? Of course not. Try about 17 times that much, as concluded by several conservative estimates.

January 3, 2015 at 2:15 AM

No the GOB is owned by the County and loaned the the city for $1 and that can change very quickly smart mouth. The land is also County land used by the City.

Anonymous said...

I say it's time to dissolve the city charters within the County and let the County Council run the entire county. No need for municipalities.

Anonymous said...

It boils down to what is the city resident paying in County Taxes that they are not using. I honestly can't think of anything. The manner that the city has annexed over the years makes it impossible for city residents to not rely on County Sheriffs, County Roads, Assistance from Fire Departments outside of Salisbury, and the biggest thing is the County Schools that suck up over 50 percent of the revenue. So again, what is a City resident paying to the county that they are not getting a benefit from?

Anonymous said...

The 23 percent of the County funding to the Fire Departments in the City would probably equal 50 percent of the funding if it weren't for bad decisions. The city makes decisions to grow in such a manner to reach for that new tax dollar that it costs the county money.

Anonymous said...

City residents are bearing the unfair tax burden...PERIOD!

January 3, 2015 at 12:44 AM

I cannot and will not argue this point at all! Just look at the warranty free sixty some million dollar WWTP the City bought that failed causing continued EPA fines. The giveaway of the old firehouse for pennies on the dollar, I could go on.

It's the SPENDING, folks that is out of control. Fire trucks going to the old folks home to back up for an ambulance to transport a corpse. WHY?

Ambulance chasing for no reason on all calls. Those are salaries that can go away.

Anonymous said...

Anonymous said...

Tax differential for city residents is nothing new, was not started by the current Mayor or Mayor Tilghman, this goes back as far as Mayor Paul Martin. And to all of you who don't know if you're in the city or county, green signs with white lettering, you're in the city; white signs with black lettering you're in the county, not that's not too hard is it.....LOL

Anonymous said...

The best way to raise revenue is through job generation.

Why isn't Ireton at the helm in trying to stimulate job growth. What I call a no-brainer legislation - Ireton has completely overlooked. IMHO, what we have in and around Salisbury are complete imbeciles running our government.

Anonymous said...

9:22 - There is no job generation because there is no economic development. Now to many regulations to entice businesses. Many have decided to move out of here.

Anonymous said...

As several here have said, the City residents pay for County services just as out-of-City residents. The big difference is that the City (or Cities) have opted, on their own, to duplicate some of these services. Well, if I decide to buy 2 pair of shoes instead of the 1 pair that I need, then that extra cost should be mine alone, not my neighbor's. Only Obama and his left wingers think that way. Normal people expect to pay for ALL the services they have OPTED to have, even if some are duplicated. This is not a difficult to understand situation. If you, Mayor, want a differential, then add more duplicated services and your citizens will pay more.....or delete some of these duplicated services and the cost to your residents will go down. It's the "KISS" method....Keep It Simple Stupid.

Anonymous said...

To Poster that said City residents are bearing the unfair tax burden . . Period

My response: You should have known that before you bought the city property. If you are still living in the City - then my suggestion is to put your home up for sale and move the heck out.

And as for City residents feeling as though they are having to pay their unfair share of County taxes - you should be. It was your choice to have City services like central sewer & water, trash collection, City building inspector, City Police, City Board of Zoning, etc. Then if the City residents want a County tax credit - my advise would be to consolidate, both, the City and County and forfeit the hundreds of city vehicles, lay-off your municipal inspectors, and/or City Police.

Anonymous said...

9:55 and 2:17 Posters are on-point. I would go one step farther - and lay off all of the City Council members and get rid of the Mayor. Talk about Duplication of services - Salisbury has it and that should change.

Anonymous said...

I don't recall Carl Anderton running on the platform of giving the county residents a tax increase to bail out the city's overspending. Very disappointing. I'm regretting my vote already.

Anonymous said...

Anonymous said...
To Poster that said City residents are bearing the unfair tax burden . . Period

My response: You should have known that before you bought the city property. If you are still living in the City - then my suggestion is to put your home up for sale and move the heck out.

And as for City residents feeling as though they are having to pay their unfair share of County taxes - you should be. It was your choice to have City services like central sewer & water, trash collection, City building inspector, City Police, City Board of Zoning, etc. Then if the City residents want a County tax credit - my advise would be to consolidate, both, the City and County and forfeit the hundreds of city vehicles, lay-off your municipal inspectors, and/or City Police.

January 4, 2015 at 2:17 PM

As a city resident and tax payer this is exactly how I feel. Several years ago there was a referendum put on the ballot for the city residents to vote on. This was to see if the voters wanted to consolidate with the County. It was a very close vote and only a straw poll.

Put it on the ballot now to see what the voters want. Better yet let the property owners vote on it and I guarantee you that you will see the property owners wanting to dissolve the city charter. Let's do it.

Anonymous said...

Anonymous said...
It boils down to what is the city resident paying in County Taxes that they are not using. I honestly can't think of anything. The manner that the city has annexed over the years makes it impossible for city residents to not rely on County Sheriffs, County Roads, Assistance from Fire Departments outside of Salisbury, and the biggest thing is the County Schools that suck up over 50 percent of the revenue. So again, what is a City resident paying to the county that they are not getting a benefit from?

January 3, 2015 at 3:50 PM

Absolutely nothing. The only burden in Wicomico County is Jim Ireton and the City of Salisbury. Dissolve the Charter.

Anonymous said...

Anonymous said...
City residents are bearing the unfair tax burden...PERIOD!

January 3, 2015 at 12:44 AM

The only unfair burden in Salisbury is the City of Salisbury itself. Salisbury has put a massive burden on the tax payers in Wicomico County. We as tax payers have to pay for the crime that is committed by the thugs in Salisbury.

Anonymous said...

You dumb@$$ do you hear yourselves, arguing about city and County over taxing. Dissolve the city charter and then pay county taxes only. Downsize government and make it more affective.

Anonymous said...

1000% correct but Will never happen good dream though.

Anonymous said...

The problem with that is the majority of rentals are low income subsidized housing ask John Cannon aka slum lord.

Anonymous said...

instead of Ireton's shirt in photo saying 'bury. They ought to call it "da hood". ROFLMAO. How dumb does Ireton and his cronies think we are? His 'bury is a blight on the county. He has helped ruin Wicomico because he has turned it into "da hood".

Anonymous said...

I think if you read the "Daily Pravda" today, you will see our illustrious Mayor didn't "ask", he "demanded". Quite a difference. Not good...

Anonymous said...

2:56pm I agree. Carl Anderton should get a little wet behind he ears before he goes and tries to screw those living in the county with a huge tax increase. What are you thinking Mr. Anderton? How can you advocate for a tax decreased by placing a tax increased on some of the same people who voted you in office? Bro, i am pissed off at you.

Anonymous said...

Isn't he cute, he's our little village idiot!

Anonymous said...

They do not bill for fire service.

Anonymous said...

No they don't.