OMCB’s ‘Too Vague’ Finding on ‘Staff Comments’ Is a Victory for Washington County Transparency (Opinion)

For too long, Washington County’s Board of Commissioners has used the catch-all agenda item “staff comments” to cloak critical decisions in ambiguity. I applaud the Open Meetings Compliance Board’s July 17, 2025 opinion that this label is insufficient under Maryland’s Open Meetings Act, and I welcome the clarity this ruling will bring to our local government.

The OMCB’s determination arose from our complaint regarding the County’s May 8 special meeting, where the public saw only “STAFF COMMENTS” on the agenda—yet that vague header concealed a presentation and $100,000 vote to match a state conditional loan for a $35 million manufacturing facility expected to create over 300 jobs. Though the Board claimed it did not know in advance a vote would occur, the OMCB noted that it did know staff would present both the business proposal and the incentive—information that could have been plainly reflected in the agenda.

We didn’t file this complaint to “cause trouble” for the Commissioners, but to correct a serious government transparency issue. Looking back at recent meetings, the pattern is clear: “staff comments” routinely precede and enable major actions without public notice. On May 20, “staff comments” masked unanimous approvals of personnel moves in Emergency Communications Systems, invoice increases, and board appointments. On April 29, the same label hid a reappointment to the Agricultural Education Center Board, storm‐cleanup updates, and free landfill extensions. And in June, personnel classifications and commission constitutions were routinely rubber-stamped under the “staff comments” guise.

Citizens deserve clear, specific agendas. When “staff comments” can mean anything from informational updates to binding votes on loans, hires, budgets, and board makeup, the public cannot make informed decisions about attending or weighing in. The OMCB’s recommendation—that forthcoming agendas specify items such as “staff presentation on business proposal” or “staff comments on financial incentive”—is both common‐sense and required by law.

This decision is more than a technical victory: it’s a step toward restoring trust between Washington County residents and their government. Clear agendas will allow taxpayers, community groups, and local media to monitor exactly when and how public funds, policies, and appointments are decided. Armed with that knowledge, citizens can attend meetings, submit testimony, or simply stay informed about the issues that affect local jobs, services, and resources.

Going forward, the Board of Commissioners should embrace the OMCB’s guidance. Every substantive matter—any vote, proposal, or discussion of taxpayer resources—should appear on the public agenda with straightforward language. Only then can Washington County ensure its decision-making is truly out in the open, as intended by the Open Meetings Act. Our community deserves nothing less.

Article by Ken Buckler, President of Radio Free Hub City. All opinions are his own, and do not reflect those of our clients or sponsors.

---