Washington County Commissioners to Convene for Key Decisions on Zoning, Public Safety, and Infrastructure

Hagerstown, MD – The Washington County Board of County Commissioners will hold its scheduled open session meeting on Tuesday, September 23, 2025, at 9:00 AM. The agenda includes several public hearings on proposed zoning text amendments, discussions on critical public safety and emergency services initiatives, and consideration of significant procurement awards for infrastructure and technology upgrades. Residents are encouraged to attend and participate in the public comment periods for agenda items.

The meeting will commence with the invocation and pledge of allegiance, followed by the call to order by President John F. Barr. Following the approval of previous minutes and reports from commissioners and staff, the board will address three separate public hearings regarding applications for zoning text amendments. These hearings, RZ-25-002, RZ-25-003, and RZ-25-004, will focus on proposed changes to the Washington County Zoning Ordinance, with presentations by Kyla Shingleton, Comprehensive Planner, and Jill Baker, Director of Planning and Zoning.

Following the zoning discussions, the commissioners will issue a proclamation recognizing September as Citizens’ Emergency Preparedness Month, with remarks from Alan Matheny, Director of Emergency Management. The board will then consider a Memorandum of Understanding and Joint Billing Agreement for Advanced Life Support services, presented by Chief Financial Officer Kelcee Mace and Director of Emergency Services R. David Hays. This agreement aims to establish uniform procedures, practices, and pricing for all emergency medical services (EMS) companies and mutual aid partners working with the county’s Division of Emergency Services (DES). A discussion on the Billing and Collection Policy for Emergency Transports will also take place, presented by Mace, with the goal of ensuring fair and consistent billing for all emergency medical transports.

Several procurement items are scheduled for consideration. These include a sole source procurement award for prosecutor software for the State’s Attorney’s Office, presented by Brandi Kentner, Director of Purchasing, along with Deputy State’s Attorney Sara Gaumer and Chief Technical Officer Joshua O’Neal. The proposed award is for Karpel Computer Systems Inc. and includes setup fees and an annual subscription. The board will also vote on bid awards for contract services at transfer stations and on-site at the Forty West Landfill, with Panhandle Dumpsters LLC of Martinsburg, WV, as the recommended bidder. Another bid award will be considered for recycling drop-off services, with Apple Valley Waste Services Inc. of Kearneysville, WV, and BFI/dba Republic Services of Hagerstown, MD, among the recommended recipients for different aspects of the service.

Additionally, the commissioners will review an intergovernmental cooperative purchase for two new 2027 Mack Granite 4×2 plow trucks. This purchase, totaling $597,608.50, will be made through Baltimore Truck Center, Inc. of Hagerstown, utilizing a Sourcewell contract to achieve cost savings and administrative efficiencies. A correction to a previously considered sole source award will also be addressed for a Vesta 9-1-1 hardware refresh upgrade for the Department of Communications, with Carousel Industries of Newport News, VA, recommended for the total proposal value of $2,306,963.76. The funding for this significant upgrade is being provided by the Numbers Board.

In the realm of grants and community development, the board will consider approving an application for the Governor’s Office for Children’s ENOUGH Capacity Grant, requesting $74,581 to address child poverty in designated Washington County communities. The FY26 MIEMSS Cardiac Device Grant application, seeking $29,000 for the purchase of cardiac monitors/defibrillators, will also be presented for approval. The Division of Emergency Services will contribute a matching $29,000 from its operating budget for this initiative.

Further agenda items include a presentation regarding naming rights for the Black Rock Golf Course Training Center. The Washington County Public Golf Corporation is seeking support for a capital fundraising campaign to construct a new training center, and naming rights will be explored as a means to help finance the project. The board will also consider a hiring recommendation for a Senior Network Engineer within the IT Department, with Charles Cousins identified as the preferred candidate. Reappointments to the Washington County Ethics Commission are also on the agenda, with Karen Federman-Henry and Alan Levin recommended for reappointment. Finally, the board will present the 2025-2026 Farm of the Year Award to recognize outstanding agricultural achievement within the county.

The meeting will include a closed session portion to discuss personnel matters, business development proposals, and legal consultations. The open session is scheduled to reconvene at 3:30 PM. An evening meeting with the Town of Sharpsburg is also scheduled for 6:00 PM.

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

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