Property taxes will go up again for the fifth straight year for Wicomico county property owners under a $129 million budget.
On a vote of 5-to-2 yesterday the County Council approved a hike of 5 percent in its annual budget.
This will increase the rate by 43 cents to $9.52 for every $1-thousand of assessed property value.
The increase will go into effect July 1st and is needed to compensate for a decline of 2.5 percent in county property values.
Meanwhile, $7 million will be coming out of the county’s $39 million reserve funds to pay for a backlog in road maintenance as well as providing money for new benefits under a restructured law enforcement labor agreement among other initiatives.
The Salisbury Daily Times reports that the two dissenters -- council members Joe Holloway and Bob Culver -- said the county spends too much and taxes too much.
Both are running against incumbent Rick Pollitt for County Executive.
