HAGERSTOWN, MD News (12/4/2023) – In the upcoming meeting of the Washington County Board of County Commissioners, scheduled for December 5, 2023, a notable agenda item will be the potential dissolution of the Diversity and Inclusion Committee. The discussion will be presented by Michelle Gordon, the County Administrator, and is scheduled for 10:40 am.

The Diversity and Inclusion Committee was established with the primary purpose of providing recommendations related to ethnic affairs, promoting the involvement of ethnic groups in business and community affairs, and advocating for services and programs that enhance the quality of life for all residents in Washington County. It operates strictly in an advisory capacity, lacking decision-making authority.

Comprising seven voting members and three non-voting, ex-officio members, the committee holds regular meetings on the 2nd Monday of every month at 7:00 PM, located at 100 West Washington St, 1st Floor, Suite 1301, Hagerstown, MD 21740. Meetings are open to the public and follow a schedule set annually.

The most recent revision to the committee’s bylaws occurred on July 16, 2019, with Article VIII specifying that the bylaws may be “amended, repealed, modified or altered” by the Board of County Commissioners at their sole discretion.

According to the agenda, the recommendation to dissolve the Diversity and Inclusion Committee stems from the belief that the need for this advisory body has diminished over time, rendering its continued operation obsolete and unnecessary. The County Administrator will present the case for dissolution during the Commissioner meeting.

The Commissioner meeting itself is set to begin at 9:00 AM at 100 W. Washington St., Hagerstown, MD, with citizen participation scheduled for 9:20 am. Those interested in the potential dissolution discussion are encouraged to attend the meeting at 10:40 am.

Article by multiple RFHC contributors.