Washington County Commissioners to Convene for Key Decisions on Zoning, Funding, and Public Services

The Washington County Board of County Commissioners is scheduled to hold its open session meeting on Tuesday, October 14, 2025, at 9:00 AM. The agenda includes a comprehensive range of items, from public hearings on zoning map amendments to discussions on funding requests for local organizations and contract awards for essential county services. Residents can expect deliberations on potentially impactful changes to land use, as well as decisions regarding equipment upgrades for various county departments and the renewal of crucial service contracts.

The meeting will commence with the invocation and the Pledge of Allegiance, followed by the call to order by President John F. Barr and the approval of previous minutes. Commissioners will then share their reports and comments. A significant portion of the morning will be dedicated to public hearings and discussions related to zoning. A public hearing is scheduled for an application for a zoning map amendment (RZ-25-006), concerning three properties near the intersection of Virginia Avenue and Brookmeade Circle, with the aim of changing their classification from Residential Transition (RT) to Highway Interchange (HI). Following this, the commissioners will discuss and potentially vote on a zoning text amendment (RZ-25-005) related to Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs), a measure aimed at increasing housing options within the county.

The agenda also includes a funding request from “Character Counts!” for their year-end event, the Elementary Youth Celebration. Additionally, the commissioners will issue proclamations recognizing October as Disability Employment Awareness Month and Manufacturing Month.

Several contract awards and renewals are slated for consideration. These include a bid award for Heating, Venting, Air Conditioning, and Automatic Temperature Controls maintenance services at county facilities, a contract renewal for uniforms for Washington County Sheriff’s Officers, and the procurement of ground support equipment and terminal replacement seating for the Hagerstown Regional Airport. The board will also discuss sole source procurement awards for a Mental Health Case Management Program, e-PlanSoftware for permitting departments, and the lease of a water truck for the Department of Solid Waste. Further, intergovernmental cooperative purchases are on the table for four new Ford F550 trucks for the Highway Department and a Pierce Enforcer Pumper truck for the Division of Emergency Services. The resurfacing of eleven tennis courts across Washington County is also on the agenda.

The meeting will also address revisions to the bylaws for the Recreation & Parks Advisory Board and a joint-use agreement for the rehabilitation and resurfacing of public tennis courts. The adoption of a resolution to extend Foreign Trade Zone #255’s service area, allowing for out-of-county business use of up to 250 acres, will also be considered. A conservation easement for the Vixen Hollow Program Open Space will be reviewed, as well as a letter of support for Oliver Homes, Inc., in their dispute with the Maryland Department of the Environment regarding subdivision interpretation.

Financial matters on the agenda include the Washington County Opioid Restitution Fund, with a plan submission to the Maryland Office of Opioid Response, a budget adjustment for office support in the Treasurer’s office, and a recommendation to hire a Pretreatment Coordinator for the Water Quality Department. The restoration of funding for Team Building and Work Boot Reimbursements in FY 2026 will also be discussed. Finally, appointments to the Adult Public Guardianship Review Board and a county tax abatement for the Hagerstown Multi Use Sports and Events Facility (Meritus Park) are on the agenda.

Residents can provide comments on agenda items or any other county business by emailing contactcommissioners@washco-md.net or by contacting individual commissioners directly.

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

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