110 N. Division St.
Salisbury, MD 21801
Telephone: (410) 742-8176
Fax: (410) 742-3117
Edgar A. Baker, Jr.
ebaker@wicomico.org
The County Attorney is affiliated with the Law Firm of Seidel, Baker & Tilghman, P.A. Office hours are from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
The Office of the County Attorney shall: (1) Conduct all law business of the county government; (2) Serve as the legal advisor of the County Council and of the Administrative Director and all officers in the executive branch of the county government; (3) Represent the county in all legal proceedings in which it is interested; (4) Prepare for the County Council and officers all drafts of legislation, ordinances, rules, regulations and contracts; (5) Perform such other functions as may be provided by law or assigned to him by the County Council.
It is the County Attorney's responsibility to provide continuing legal representation to the following County Agencies:
| County Council | Airport Commission | Detention Center |
| Finance Department | Health Department | Planning, Zoning & Community Development |
| Public Works | Parks & Recreation | Roads Department |
| Sheriff's Department | County Library | Commission on Women |
The County Attorney also provides legal services to County agencies, boards, and commissions within the departments listed above, as well as offices within the Executive Branch.
The Wicomico County Code is published online as a convenience to citizens and the legal community. Although every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of material published online, citizens are advised that the only official edition of the County Code is the printed legislative bills maintained by the Office of the Administrative Director. Please note that the County Council may have made amendments, additions and/or deletions to the County Code subsequent to the last supplementation of the online version of the Code.
Click here to access the Wicomico County Code Online!
The County Attorney cannot provide legal advice to citizens; however, we can provide the following information to frequently asked questions stated below:
Legislation
The County Council holds three Legislative Sessions each year, commencing on February 1, June 1 and October 1 respectively. In addition the County Council may be called into special legislative session for six (6) additional days during any year by a majority vote of the County Council.
Charter & Code of Wicomico County
A copy of the Charter & Code of Wicomico County is available to the public at the Wicomico County Library. People interested in purchasing copies of the Wicomico Charter & Code may do so by contacting General Code Publishers at 1-800-836-8834. Pricing is as follows:
Printed Code: $200
PC/CODEBOOK for Windows $200
Printed Code & PC/CODEBOOK $365
Printed Code & Code on Disk $225
Special Events Affecting Wicomico County Citizens:
Tax Sales
The Director of Finance forwards all unpaid real estate tax accounts to the County Attorney for collection on March 1. Upon receipt of the delinquent accounts a Thirty-five Dollar Attorney fee is assessed for the cost of notification to the debtors, review of the land records and preparation of the property description for the legal advertisement. If the outstanding real estate taxes, interest and penalties are not paid by May, each property in collection is then advertised in The Daily Times for four consecutive weeks. Once the ads are prepared by The Daily Times, advertising fees are added to each outstanding tax account. The Tax Sale generally takes place the third week of June.
Tax Sale Procedures: Persons who purchase property at the tax sale can take no action for four months after the date of the sale. After the expiration of the four month period, and before the expiration of two years, the purchaser can file a Complaint to Foreclose the Equity of Redemption on the property. A taxpayer can redeem his or her property and prevent the foreclosure by paying the amount of the opening bid plus 8% interest and any authorized expenses prior to the date of a Court Order foreclosing on the property.
Personal Property Tax Collections
The Office of the County Attorney is also responsible for the collection of unpaid personal property tax bills. A letter demanding payment is sent to the personal property tax debtor advising the debtor that if the tax, interest and penalties are not paid, suit will be filed. If payment is not made within ten days, suit is instituted on behalf of the Director of Finance. If judgment is entered against the debtor, the County records a lien and begins proceedings to enforce the judgment, including discovery followed by attachment of property or wages.