Washington County Commissioners to Convene for Busy September Agenda; No Public Comment

HAGERSTOWN, MD – The Washington County Board of County Commissioners has scheduled its regular open session meeting for Tuesday, September 9, 2025. The agenda for this meeting is extensive, featuring a wide range of topics including proclamations, program funding, significant procurement awards, budget adjustments, and policy amendments that will shape county operations and development. Residents can expect discussions on vital community services, economic incentives, and public safety initiatives. There will be no public comment session.

The meeting will commence at 10:00 am with an invocation and the Pledge of Allegiance, followed by commissioners’ reports and staff comments. A key item on the agenda is a proclamation for “Washington Goes Purple,” a local initiative aimed at raising awareness for National Recovery Month in September. Following this, the Board will convene as the Board of Health to consider funding for adolescent health programs administered by Girls, Inc. of Washington County, specifically the True You Maryland program, the Personal Responsibility Education Program (PREP), and the Sexual Risk Avoidance Education (SRAE) initiative. These programs are projected to reach 150 individuals and are funded through the Maryland Department of Health Administration, with no additional county funding requested.

In matters of infrastructure and public services, the Commissioners will review construction bid awards, including the foundation for the Fire Training Burn Building. They will also address a request for funding and the establishment of a new sub-station for the Community Rescue Service, with a proposed location at the Antietam Fire Company Station in Hagerstown. This expansion aims to improve EMS coverage within the city, addressing a strain on rural resources that are frequently deployed to urban areas. The fiscal impact for this service substation is projected at $113,558, to be included in the Division of Emergency Services FY26 Operating Budget.

Several procurement items are slated for discussion and potential award. These include the rescission and subsequent re-award of a contract for grounds maintenance chemicals, a crucial procurement for various county departments, including Black Rock Golf Course and the Highway Department. Additionally, the Board will consider the purchase of a street sweeper for the Department of Stormwater and Watershed Services through an intergovernmental cooperative purchase with the Virginia Sheriffs’ Association, a move expected to yield cost and administrative savings. The agenda also includes the award for fire service testing and inspection of critical equipment such as hoses, pumps, and ladders, with recommendations for Waterways of Southwest PA, LLC and American Test Center, Inc. The procurement of bulk road salt for the upcoming winter season will also be addressed, with recommendations for Cargill, Incorporated and Morton Salt, Inc.

Further procurement discussions involve an annual support maintenance contract for Priority Dispatch Programs for the Department of Emergency Communications, a sole-source award anticipated to be made to Priority Dispatch. The Board will also consider intergovernmental cooperative purchases for a Bobcat Track Loader for the Hagerstown Regional Airport, a new Ford Super Duty truck for the Washington County Transit Department, and fuel management systems for the Washington County Highway Department. These purchases are intended to replace aging equipment and improve operational efficiency, with cost savings projected through leveraging existing cooperative contracts. A renewal agreement for Laserfiche support and subscription for the Information Technology department is also on the agenda.

In financial matters, the Commissioners will review FY26 Capital Budget Adjustments related to ARPA funds, reallocating remaining funds from the Sharpsburg Well project to other water and wastewater projects. They will also discuss a transfer from Water Capital Reserves for the General Water Treatment Plant Upgrades. A significant item regarding the FY25 Excess of Revenues will be presented, with staff recommending the allocation of approximately $21.1 million to the pension fund ($5 million) and the capital reserve fund ($7.5 million), following best practices for using excess funds for one-time costs.

The agenda also includes a significant review of economic development incentives. The Board will consider an amendment to the Job Creation and Capital Investment Real Property (JCRP) Tax Credit Program, aligning county ordinances with recent state legislative updates. These changes aim to enhance the program’s effectiveness and financial benefit to the county by adjusting credit percentages and job creation requirements. Concurrently, the Board will vote on repealing the Pad-Ready Site Stimulus Program and the New Jobs Tax Credit Program, as these are deemed redundant with the revised JCRP program.

Personnel matters are also prominent, with proposals for reclassifying a deputy position to sergeant within the Sheriff’s Office to support a new Special Enforcement Unit, and for an Assistant Maintenance Supervisor position. Additionally, the reclassification of a Permit Systems Specialist to Permit Operations Manager within the Permits & Inspections department will be discussed, a move aimed at integrating broader operational responsibilities. Finally, the Board will receive a presentation on the “Faces of Farming” initiative, a video marketing campaign designed to highlight local agriculture and its economic impact on the county, which will also serve as an educational tool for students.

Residents can submit comments on agenda items by emailing contactcommissioners@washco-md.net, as no public comments will be accepted during the meeting. For those requiring special accommodations, arrangements must be made by contacting the Office of the County Commissioners at 240-313-2200 at least ten working days prior to the meeting.

Article by Mel Anara, based upon information from Washington County Board of County Commissioners.

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