SALISBURY – Officials came before the county council this week seeking an additional $7.7 million for the construction of a new public safety building.
In a special meeting held Tuesday, the Wicomico County Council voted to approve a resolution amending the fiscal year 2022 capital improvement plan and fiscal year 2022 budget to allow $7,715,000 in additional funding for the construction of a new public safety building. While the new facility was budgeted at nearly $28 million, Sheriff Mike Lewis noted that inflation had increased construction bids.
“With the lowest bid, we’d need an additional $7.7 million to get this building underway,” he said. “We have been told by those that we’ve been working with, every day we wait this figure is going to steadily climb. That’s why we are here requesting the additional $7.7 million.”
In the fall of 2018, a feasibility study was completed for a new public safety building in Wicomico. And that November, the county purchased an eight-acre site on which to build the new facility. Since that time, officials have been working with architects and engineers to bring the project to fruition, but many on the council have shared their concerns regarding the scope of the project an its $28 million price tag.
Lewis told council members this week factors such as the COVID-19 outbreak and inflation have contributed to yet another increase in the cost of the public safety building. Finance Director Pam Oland said the lowest bid the county received for the project was $33.3 million.
WAIST of $$$$$ Not needed Typical GOVT Waist
This project started out MILLIONS less! Check out what taxpayers are funding just in administration salaries there. It is lots on money.
Over paid Sheriff wants a Mansion !!!!
This building is a JAIL so call it what it is > NOT Public Safety Building !!!!
It was already NEW in 1988 !!!
Stinking Jail where officers quit all the time & were treated like shhht !!! Building is good as it
is !!! All the Wardens were crooked & Fired since 1988 !!!
CUT TAXES since you have too much $$$$$$$ !!!!
WTF is a “public safety building”??
Can we go there in an emergency and take shelter?
Do we go there to find a “safe space” when our feelings are hurt??
Orwell would be so proud…..
Whatever old Masa’ Sheriff Lewis demands he gets….the project is now 50% over budget but the council gave him a massive raise and forked over 7 million for this project after asking 3 softball questions….
Time for New Sheriff !!! 2 term Limits for ALL
A public safety building is a place you can go when you feel sad, lonely or threatened in any way. It’s a type of sanctuary for those needing a quiet place to rest and feel safe. Oh! That’s not what it is????