County Commissioners to Convene for Budget, Grant, and Artificial Intelligence Policy Discussions

Washington County Commissioners will hold an open session meeting on February 10, 2026, to address a range of critical agenda items. The meeting will include presentations on the FY2027 budget for the Washington County Commission on Aging/Area Agency on Aging, discussions regarding a Community Development Block Grant, and decisions on contract renewals for cybersecurity and medical equipment. Additionally, the commissioners will consider applications for and acceptance of grant awards, review budget adjustments, and potentially adopt a new county Artificial Intelligence (AI) policy.

A significant portion of the meeting will be dedicated to the Washington County Commission on Aging/Area Agency on Aging’s Fiscal Year 2027 budget. The commission is requesting an increase of $300,000 to its proposed budget of $1,720,980. This additional funding is intended to address a growing demand for services supporting older adults, caregivers, and individuals with disabilities. The commission reports that over 500 older adults are currently on waiting lists for services, including nearly 150 for meals, with eligibility determination wait times exceeding three months and some program wait times extending over a year. The requested increase aims to stabilize existing programs, reduce waitlists, and comply with new federal and state requirements. The county’s in-kind contribution of $433,600 for space will also be maintained. The commission’s projected operating loss for FY27 is estimated at $332,403, even with the requested funding.

In other fiscal matters, the commissioners will discuss the FY25 Community Development Block Grant. The agenda item proposes approval to submit a grant extension, a spend-down waiver, and a budget modification for an $800,000 grant awarded to San Mar Family and Community Services for a Housing for Transition Age Youth project. The project, which received grant approval in June 2024, is currently behind schedule. San Mar seeks to reallocate grant funds to cover accrued soft costs like architecture and engineering, and to extend the grant period beyond July 1, 2026. The original budget did not include funding for project administration for county staff. Repercussions for the county if the project is not completed include the inability to apply for future CDBG grants and potential reimbursement to the state for costs incurred.

The meeting will also address procurement for essential county services. A sole source contract renewal for a Cyber Intrusion Detection and Monitoring System for the Information Technology Department is on the agenda. The proposed renewal, amounting to $227,512.75, is for the final one-year period of a contract initially awarded in April 2023. This system is crucial for detecting and responding to unusual network activity and provides protection against phishing attempts and fraudulent transactions. Approval of this renewal is contingent upon the FY27 budget.

Additionally, the commissioners will consider a sole source procurement for one LifePak35 Monitor/Defibrillator for the Division of Emergency Services at a cost of $61,271.44. This purchase will replace an aging device and complete the upgrade of all three EMS supervisor vehicles to the latest technology. The procurement is justified by the need for compatibility of equipment, with funding available in the department’s operating budget and a portion to be reimbursed via an MIEMSS grant.

Grant applications and awards will also be a focus. The board will consider approving an application to and acceptance of grant funds totaling $460,004 for the Circuit Court’s Family Support Services. These funds are awarded annually by the Maryland Department of Juvenile & Family Services and the Administrative Office of the Courts to provide services for low-income families resolving legal matters. If the full grant amount is not awarded, the county would be asked to cover the salaries and benefits for two key positions.

Another grant item involves submitting an application for and accepting funding from the FY27 MIEMSS Rural Health Grant for the Blood Program. The amount requested is $26,870, which will be used to expand the current blood program to include the remaining two EMS supervisor vehicles. Funds are allocated in the FY27 budget for initial equipment purchases, and the grant will serve as a reimbursement.

The commissioners will also review an FY26 Operating Budget Adjustment related to the Clear Spring EMS transition. This adjustment involves transferring funds set aside for EMS transitions from general operations to the appropriate budget lines within the EMS operations department. The announced Memorandum of Understanding with Clear Spring Ambulance Club was approved in December 2025, and this budget adjustment is reported to be budget neutral.

Finally, the board will consider the adoption of a County AI Policy. This policy, developed by the County Attorney’s Office and IT Department, aims to establish guidelines for the responsible use of Artificial Intelligence tools by county personnel. The policy addresses principles such as accountability, transparency, fairness, accuracy, equity, data privacy, and security. It also outlines prohibited uses, authorized uses, and requirements for documenting AI use in work products, with a goal of ensuring ethical, secure, and effective integration of AI into county operations.

Individuals requiring special accommodations for the meeting are asked to contact the Office of the County Commissioners at 240.313.2200 at least ten working days prior to the meeting.

Article by Ken Buckler, based upon information from the Washington County Board of County Commissioners

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