“Starting the meeting with a proclamation expressing gratitude for law enforcement, ended badly for our county deputies.” Julie Giordano, County Executive
On Tuesday, May 21, 2024, the Wicomico County Council voted down the Collective Bargaining Agreement for the Wicomico County Sheriff’s Office. The Council was presented a Collective Bargaining Agreement that was negotiated in good faith and presented in a fiscally responsible manner.
The agreement proposed a new wage scale, a 2.5% COLA in retirement, and other amenities to make sure that Wicomico County remains competitive with surrounding jurisdictions and the State to help with recruitment and retention. The biggest concern for the Council was the COLA. Due to the concern, on May 13, 2024, the Council was provided a financial projection using actuarial data from CBIZ, the county’s actuary firm, completed by Pam Oland, Director of Finance. There were limited questions, concerns, or requests for clarification that were sent to the Executive’s Office or the Director of Finance prior to the May 21st meeting.
The council claimed that they did not realize that this was actuarial data, even though the email provided read as follows:
Good afternoon,
After analyzing actuarial data from CBIZ, we feel confident in what is proposed for the 2025 CBA.
Based on current estimates, it appears the collections for contract period are sufficient to cover this estimate. Additionally, collections of 1% will help offset continued growth in pension pay out. Please note, if the salary scale is adjusted after 2 years, that will impact deposits, but have limited impact on the payments (in this scenario as those will have been set based on current salaries). This was based on a sample of retirees and their actual actuarial calculations. This assumes all 20 will retire in FY 2025 after July 1, 2024. As with any estimate, if the factors change, the estimate will change.
Please let me know if you have any other questions and we look forward to the work session on May 21 at 8:30 am. FYI, Chief Deputy, Gary Baker, has agreed to join.
Based on the email above, the Council was well aware that the data was directly from CBIZ, the County Executive was open to any questions, and the Council had over a week to digest the one-page financial projection document.
“It is very disappointing to see this happen. We need this contract, especially the COLA, to help attract and keep our deputies. All other parties were in agreeance to the contract and it’s a shame the Council could not support our law enforcement.” Julie Giordano, County Executive
The negotiating attorneys will meet in the next week to discuss the next step.
I’m all for paying our law enforcement officers. Most are under paid. But there is no way a cost of living raise should be down the line. Whatever the town of Pittsville pays their meter maid is too much.
They now have two, and they even bought them new vehicles. Which is funny because they are never around town or never seen doing anything. Like I keep telling you salves, anyway to waste and spend money to make it look like the general fund is broke so they can again raise taxes and fees on you. Like I told you Berlin would do if you let them buy that abandoned chicken plant property. Then after they bought it, they spend even more money making the town go broke to demo buildings on the site for no reason. Now, ever since, they have raised taxes and fees! And still going strong raising fees and taxes. And now, the city of OC is wanting to put stuff in berlin and have belin pay for it in taxpayer money and to try to get some authority to be able to make berlin raise taxes on the new infrastructure. They will get it, and you will let them, and then you clowns will get on here jaw jacking about how you let them but don’t like it. You people are just brian dead stupid!