Washington County Commissioners to Convene November 18th, Discuss Wide Range of County Business

The Board of County Commissioners of Washington County will hold an open session meeting on Tuesday, November 18, 2025, beginning at 9:00 AM. While there will once again be no public comment period, the agenda for this meeting includes a variety of significant items, from recognizing a youth for meritorious achievement to addressing substantial financial statements and approving various equipment purchases and contract adjustments. The meeting will also cover matters related to public services, infrastructure, and personnel.

The session will commence with an invocation and the Pledge of Allegiance, followed by a call to order by President John F. Barr and approval of the October minutes. Commissioners and staff will then provide reports and comments before the agenda moves into its scheduled items. A key item early in the meeting will be the presentation of the Youth Meritorious Award to Gabby Gatchalian of North Hagerstown High School, recognizing her scholastic achievement, leadership, and community service.

Following this recognition, the Board will receive a presentation of the audited financial statements for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2025. Chris Lehman, Partner at SB & Company, and Kelcee Mace, Chief Financial Officer, will present the findings of the independent audit, which will provide an overview of the county’s fiscal condition.

A significant discussion will surround the proposal for an optional fourth early voting center for Washington County. The Board of Elections is seeking approval for this additional location, which, if granted, would be the Washington County Election Center. The matter was previously tabled for reconsideration by the Board of Elections. State election law requires a minimum number of early voting centers based on registered voter numbers, with provisions for additional centers subject to local and state board approval. The proposed fourth site’s cost of $50,000 is already accounted for in the approved FY26 budget, meaning no additional fiscal impact is anticipated for this specific item.

Several substantial purchasing decisions are on the agenda, utilizing intergovernmental cooperative purchase agreements to leverage contracts from other jurisdictions for cost savings and administrative efficiencies. The Buildings, Grounds, and Facilities Department seeks authorization to purchase a new 2026 Ford F-350 Extended Cab truck with a snow plow attachment for $64,836.20, using a contract awarded by Baltimore County. This vehicle will replace an older model that has exceeded its recommended economic life cycle.

The Department of Environmental Management is also set for several purchases. These include three new 2026 vehicles for the Water Quality Department at a total cost of $183,903.45, acquired through a Costars contract from Pennsylvania. Additionally, the department plans to install video surveillance equipment at five water treatment facilities for a total of $90,899.26, utilizing a contract from the Carroll County Public Network. The installation of this surveillance equipment is being emphasized by the Maryland Department of the Environment.

Furthering the Department of Environmental Management’s agenda, the board will consider a paving contract for the Conococheague WWTP. This work, estimated at $100,155.08, will be performed by Craig Paving Inc. using an existing contract. Funds for this project are budgeted within the Capital Improvement Plan.

The Division of Emergency Services is proposing to purchase a new Wheeled Coach 1170 Ambulance on a Ford F550 4×4 chassis for $402,431, leveraging a Sourcewell contract. This acquisition is intended to maintain consistent EMS coverage amidst increasing call volumes and to ensure the reliability and operational readiness of emergency services. Funding for this ambulance is allocated in the department’s Capital Improvement Program.

The Sheriff’s Office also has a significant vehicle acquisition on the agenda, seeking to purchase twenty 2026 Chevrolet Tahoe vehicles for $1,128,486.00. This purchase will replace aging vehicles that have surpassed their recommended service life and will be made using a contract awarded by Howard County.

In other purchasing matters, the board will review bids for swimming pool and water/wastewater treatment chemicals. The proposed contract, which would cover one year beginning December 1, 2025, includes awards to responsive bidders for various chemical items. The County guarantees no minimum or maximum quantity for these purchases. Funds for these chemicals are available within the Department of Water Quality Facilities and the Parks and Recreation Department budgets. Additionally, a contract award for a Combiner/Multi Coupler Upgrade for the Wireless Communications Department is scheduled, involving an expenditure of $1,442,756 from capital reserves to address an unanticipated need for system upgrades.

The meeting will also address the extension of a group health contract for vision coverage with EyeMed. This one-year extension, from July 1, 2026, to June 30, 2027, aims to realign the vision coverage contract with other health insurance components and includes a nominal premium increase. While employee contributions will see a slight rise, EyeMed is offering an enhanced allowance for high-option coverage.

Two sole source procurement requests are also listed. The Division of Emergency Services is seeking to purchase two Stryker LP35 Monitor/Defibrillators for $105,561.50 to replace aging equipment, citing compatibility as the paramount consideration. The procurement is also authorized under Section 1-106.2(a)(2) of the County’s Public Local Laws. Separately, the Day Reporting Center seeks to award a sole source contract for Case Management Services for the Recover, Rebuild and Reconnect Program to Potomac Community Services. This contract, for $83,600 and running from July 1, 2025, to June 30, 2026, is justified under Section 1-106.2(a)(1) of the County’s Public Local Laws, stating that only one source meets the county’s requirements for this specialized program targeting individuals recently released from incarceration.

In matters of energy and grants, the Board will consider approving two applications for the Maryland Energy Administration’s Local Government Energy Modernization Grant program. The first is a non-competitive formula block grant of up to $4,246,663 to support energy efficiency and renewable energy projects, including developing a countywide energy plan and implementing lighting modernization. The second is a competitive implementation project grant of up to $1,390,000 for building electrification, specifically targeting HVAC, electrical, and envelope upgrades at the 33–35 West Washington Street building in Hagerstown. Both grants require a local cost share.

Community Organization Funding for Fiscal Year 2027 will also be addressed. The Board will decide on the service priority areas and the allocation of $1,200,000 in available funding. Historically, funding has been distributed across Arts & Culture, Domestic Violence, Families and Children, Recreation, Seniors, and Other categories. The recommended allocations show significant portions for Families & Children (41.2%), Domestic Violence (32.2%), and Seniors (11.4%), with smaller percentages for Arts & Culture, Recreation, and Other. The program will continue to allow for capital expenses and uses a scoring rubric for reviewing applications from approximately 35 non-profit organizations annually.

Personnel matters are also on the agenda, including the approval of a hire for the Chief of Surveys position, with an offer extended to Alex Shifler at an hourly rate of $44.98. Additionally, appointments to the Planning Commission will be considered, with Douglas Wright Jr. and Laura Lane-Unsworth being proposed for their first five-year terms. These appointments are to replace long-serving members who have reached term limits.

Finally, the meeting will include a closed session to discuss personnel matters, including the appointment and compensation of specific individuals, and to consult with legal counsel on matters that would breach attorney-client privilege if discussed in open session. The board will reconvene in open session before adjourning.

Individuals requiring special accommodations to attend the meeting are asked to contact the Office of the County Commissioners at 240-313-2200 at least ten business days in advance. Public comments on agenda items can be submitted via email to contactcommissioners@washco-md.net.

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

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