Question C

Who may be appointed to acting administrative posts

Wicomico County · decided by Wicomico County voters · 2026-11-03

Early voting, registration and the rest of the ballot

What it is

This would require that an Acting Director of Administration, department head or deputy director already be a Wicomico County employee when appointed — narrowing who a County Executive can put into a senior post without going through the permanent appointment process.

It carves out one exception. A newly elected County Executive could bring in someone from outside as Acting Director of Administration, for up to six months from the date they take office, or until a permanent director is appointed, whichever comes first.

Given that the county elects an Executive on the same ballot, the exception is not hypothetical.

What your vote does

A vote FOR

Acting appointees must generally already work for the county, with the limited exception for a newly elected County Executive's Acting Director of Administration.

A vote AGAINST

The County Executive may continue appointing people from outside county government to acting posts, with no current-employee requirement and no six-month limit.

The words on the ballot

Question C Charter Resolution Charter Revision

110-2026

A revision of the Charter of Wicomico County providing that an Acting Director of Administration, Acting Department Head or Acting Deputy Director shall be a current employee of Wicomico County at the time of appointment. Further providing that a newly elected County Executive may appoint a person who is not a current County employee to serve as Acting Director of Administration for a period not to exceed Six (6) months or until a Director of Administration is appointed, whichever occurs first.

A vote in favor of the question requires that an Acting Director of Administration, Acting Department Head or Acting Deputy Director shall be a current employee of Wicomico County at the time of appointment. A vote in favor of the question also permits a newly elected County Executive to appoint a person who is not a current County employee to serve as Acting Director of Administration for a period not to exceed Six (6) months from the date the County Executive assumes office or until a Director of Administration is appointed, whichever occurs first.

A vote against the question permits the County Executive to appoint an Acting Director of Administration or Acting Head of a Department or Agency without the requirement that the appointment be a current employee of Wicomico County. A vote against the question also does not limit the duration of the appointment for an Acting Director of Administration by a newly elected County Executive.

  • FOR the Charter Amendment
  • AGAINST the Charter Amendment

Sources

Official record

The measure itself